History

Also known as the Bohemian ‘Adelskreuz’ of 1814, this cross was instituted by Emperor Franz Joseph I, and it was conferred as a sign of appreciation to the Bohemian Nobles who had fought alongside the Emperor in the war against France.

After Napoleon I was defeated at the Battle of Leipzig, the French began to retreat, pursued by the Austrian army. Emperor Franz I marched with the troops, protected by an old and often invalided army of protectors. The Bohemian aristocracy suggested forming their own guard of 38 individuals to protect the emperor. They became the “Bohemian Noble Guard.”

On May 3, 1814, the emperor decided that a new medal was to be instituted specifically for the Bohemian Noble Guard.

The cross was designed by Johann Baptist Harnisch, and were cut by the Viennese goldsmith Johann Haas. It is an eight point golden cross with red enamelled arms , with a white enamelled Bohemian lion facing left on the obverse. The reverse inscription reads NOB. BOHEMIS. BELLO GALL. FIDIS CORPORIS CUSTODIBUS. FRANC. AUG. MDCCCXIV translates to “for the Bohemian nobility, loyal lifeguards during the Napoleonic War, Emperor Franz I 1814). It was worn on a white ribbon with a red central stripe.

The cross was awarded to 38 male Bohemian Nobles.