History

The Order of the White Deer of St. Hubertus was instituted by Prince Friedrich Karl Nikolaus of Prussia as a Knightly Hunting Order, and the goal of the order was to preserve the prestige and standards of the sport. The origins of the order lead back into the year 744 and the life of St. Hubertus. He is the patron saint of archers, dogs, forest workers, trappers, hunting, and huntsmen.

The motto of the Order is "VIVE LE ROY SES CHASSEURS", which translates to "Long live the King and his hunters". This motto is featured on the ribbon.

The order was renewed on April 8, 1889 by King Wilhelm II. The member admittance was set at 50 and mostly included the emperor’s hunting friends. As a private order, the insignia was not allowed to be worn with a military uniform or with other Prussian neck decorations. In 1930, the last court hunting order in Germany was suspended.

The order was again revived in 1945 by Prince Louis Ferdinand of Hohenzollern.

The I Class Knight features a double-sided embossed crown, and was marked GODET on the ring. There are also examples in silver gilt.