Order of the White Eagle (Poland): Difference between revisions

Order of the White Eagle
*Order Orła Białego*
Order of the White Eagle; Order Orła Białego;
Awarded by the President of Poland; (previously King of Poland)
Type	Single grade order
Established	1 November 1705
Country	Poland
Motto	PRO FIDE, LEGE ET REGE; (For Faith, Law and King); ZA OJCZYZNĘ I NARÓD; (For Fatherland and Nation);
Eligibility	All
Status	Currently awarded
Grand Master	President of Poland; Andrzej Duda
Statistics
Total inductees	355 (since 1921)
Precedence
Next (higher)	none - highest award
Next (lower)	Order Virtuti Militari
	; The ribbon bar of the Order; ;

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The Order of the White Eagle (Polish: Order Orła Białego) is the highest honour of the Republic of Poland and formerly the Second Polish Republic and the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and one of the oldest state decorations in the world still in use. It was officially instituted on 1 November 1705 by Augustus II the Strong, King of Poland and Elector of Saxony, and bestowed on eight of his closest diplomatic and political supporters.^[1] It has since been awarded to the most distinguished Poles for their merits and occasionally to the heads of state of foreign countries.

The Order of the White Eagle is attached to an azure sash slung over the left shoulder to the right side. The star of the Order, formerly embroidered, is worn on the left side of the chest.^[2] Unlike other Polish high decorations, the Order of the White Eagle does not have different classes or crosses.

History

The badge of the Order of the White Eagle was originally a red enamel oval gold medal with an image of the Polish white eagle on its front side, and the royal cypher of Augustus II the Strong over crossed swords on the obverse, worn on a light blue ribbon. The white eagle badge was replaced by a Maltese cross badge in 1709. By 1713 it was worn from the neck, with a blue sash, and a star. Augustus limited the number of knights to 72, but only conferred the Order 40 times before his death in 1733. His son, Augustus III, however, awarded the Order more than three hundred times. Augustus may have been inspired to found the Order by the example of Peter the Great's recent founding of the Russian Order of Saint Andrew (of which he himself had been made one of the first knights by the Russian emperor), and above all by the example of the prestigious French Order of the Holy Spirit, with which the light blue ribbon, and the star with a bird, have a strong resemblance, and which had also inspired Peter the Great's Order of Saint Andrew.

Initially, the creation of the Order was strongly opposed by many of the Polish nobility, since membership in the Order conferred a distinction which violated the traditional equality of all Polish nobles. Since the Order had no patron saint, Augustus II made 2 August the feast of the Order. His son, Augustus III, however, changed the Order's feast day to 3 August.

Under the Third Partition of Poland in 1795, the Order was abolished. It was renewed in 1807 as the highest award of the Duchy of Warsaw, created by Napoleon Bonaparte. From 1815 to 1831, it was awarded in the Congress Kingdom of Poland.

After Russian troops put down the Polish uprising of 1830-31 in Congress Poland, the Order of the White Eagle was officially "annexed" by Nicholas I, and on 17 November 1831 became part of the Russian Imperial honors system. The insignia of this new Imperial Russian Order of the White Eagle was modified to more closely resemble those of Russian orders. It remained in this form until the Russian Revolution of 1917, in which the Russian Empire fell.

The Order of the White Eagle officially became Poland's highest decoration by act of Parliament of 4 February 1921, and the insignia was redesigned. During the interbellum (1921-1939), the Order was awarded to 24 Polish citizens and 87 foreigners, among whom were 33 monarchs and heads of state, 10 prime ministers and 15 other ministers of state, and 12 members of royal families.

After 1948, when the Polish People's Republic came into existence, the Order of the White Eagle was no longer awarded, but it was never officially abolished. It was also used by the Polish Government in Exile. Following the collapse of Communism, the Order was once again reinstated on 26 October 1992, the Polish Government-in-Exile having already presented the seal and archives of the Order to Lech Wałęsa. The first person to be awarded the White Eagle after its reinstatement was Pope John Paul II.^[3] The President of Poland as the country's head of state is the Grand Master of the Order.^[4]

1713 Insignia

The 1713 badge was a Maltese cross enameled red with white borders with diamonds set in each of the balls at the eight points of the cross and with diamond set rays appearing between each of the points of the cross, i.e., a larger longer ray between each arm of the cross and a smaller ray between each of the two points of these arms. In the centre of the cross was a white enamelled eagle in high relief with spread wings and facing left and with a diamond set royal crown on its head. At the top of the cross between the two top points was a diamond studded semi-circular link through which passed a diamond studded ring through which, in turn, passed the light-blue ribbon from which it was worn. The reverse side of this Maltese cross was enamelled white with red borders and had at its center an oval gold medallion with the founder's crowned royal cypher above two crossed swords taken from his arms as the Arch-Marshall of the Holy Roman Empire.

Diamond star belonging to King Augustus the Strong of Poland-Saxony

"Plaque" (Star) of the Order, 18th century

The star of the order consisted of an eight-pointed gold star with straight rays which bore a red-bordered white enamelled cross pattée with golden rays between the arms and with a golden rosette at its centre. The arms of this cross pattée bore the motto "Pro Fide, Lege et Rege" (For Faith, Law and the King) in golden letters.

The King of Poland could also wear the cross from a collar of 24 alternating links of white enameled eagles, crowned and holding scepters and orbs, and dark blue enameled ovals, surrounded by gold rays, bearing alternatively full-length enamelled images of the Virgin Mary crowned, dressed in pink and pale blue and supporting the Christ Child on her left arm and holding a gold scepter in her right hand and the letters of her name, "MARIA", arranged into a stylized monogram in white enamel. This collar was made for the coronation of Stanisław II Augustus, the last King of Poland, but the coat of arms of the founder, Augustus the Strong, show the cross of the Order hanging from a collar of a very different design.

Insignia during the Partitions

The badge of the order consisted of a gold crowned double-headed eagle enamelled in black, with a cross superimposed upon its chest: this was a gold Maltese cross enamelled in red with white enamel outline and golden rays between the arms. A white enamel crowned eagle with spread wings, facing left (the coat-of-arms of Poland) was superimposed on the cross. On its reverse side the double-headed eagle bore in the center of its back a diminutive red-bordered white-enamelled cross pattée with a gold rosette at its center gold rays between its arms. The black double-headed eagle hung by its two crowned heads from an enamelled Russian imperial crown, which, in turn, hung from a dark blue silk moire ribbon.

The star of the order consisted of an eight-pointed gold star with straight rays; the central golden disc bore a red-bordered white enamelled cross pattée with a golden rosette at its center and golden rays between the arms, surrounded by a blue enamel ring bearing the motto "Pro Fide, Lege et Rege" (For Faith, Law and the King).^[5]

Insignia after 1921

The badge of the order consists of a gold Maltese cross enamelled in red with white enamel outline and with golden palmette-like rays between the arms. A white enamel crowned eagle with spread wings, facing left (the coat-of-arms of Poland) is superimposed on the cross. It is worn on a plain light blue sash. This design clearly reflects a return to the essential design of the 1713 badge, but without the diamonds of the earlier badge. The reverse side of the badge bears the same Maltese Cross with golden rays as the front side and this cross bears the same design as that of the star of the order (see below), except that the arms of the cross are not enamelled red, i. e., only the outline of the cross and its central disc with its surrounding oak wreath are enamelled. The star or plaque of the order consists of an eight-pointed silver star with straight rays, with a gold Maltese cross, enamelled in red with white enamel outline and with golden palmette-like rays between the arms, superimposed upon it. The motto of the order, "Za Ojczyznę i Naród" ("For Fatherland and Nation"), appears on the arms of the cross. The central disc is in white enamel with the monogram "RP" (Rzeczpospolita Polska) surrounded by a green enamelled oak wreath.

Recipients of the Order

The following lists some of those invested with the Order, in recognition of significant service to Poland, whether military or civilian.

Poland

A

Władysław Anders

B

C

D

E

Marek Edelman

F

G

H

J

K

L

Stanisław Lem
Herman Lieberman
Jan Józef Lipski
Antoni Benedykt Lubomirski
Franciszek Ferdynant Lubomirski
Hieronim Augustyn Lubomirski
Stanisław Lubomirski (1704–1793)
Stanisław Lubomirski (1722–1782)
Kazimierz Łukomski (1920–1991 Polish Airborne World War II)
Witold Lutosławski

M

Adam Macedoński
Stanisław Maczek
Stanisław Małachowski
Andrzej Mokronowski
Ignacy Mościcki (ex officio)
Countess Helen Marynowska-Potocki Minchakievich ("Countess Partisan," first woman, first USA citizen, awarded and then revoked by Polish Government in Exile in London 1944)

N

O

P

R

S

T

Józef Tischner

W

Z

Foreign

A

B

C

D

E

Elizabeth II

F

G

H

I

J

Jacob Bruce (one of the chief associates of Peter the Great)
Joseph Joffre
Juan Carlos I of Spain

K

L

M

N

O

Bohdan Osadchuk

P

R

S

V

Victor Emanuel III

W

Y

Z

References

^ Sierba, Michał (2013). "Tykocińskie Początki Orderu Orła Białego" [Tykocinskie The Beginnings of the Order of the White Eagle]. Vade Nobiscum: Materiały Studenckiego Koła Naukowego Historyków Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego [Vade Nobiscum: Materials of the Student Science Wheel History of the Łódź University] (PDF) (in Polish). Vol. VI: Kultura Elit W Epoce Nowożytnej. Łódź: Uniwersytet Łódzki. pp. 151–162. ISBN 978-83-63199-26-5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 September 2017. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
^ "Order Orła Białego". Archived from the original on 13 December 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
^ "Order Orła Białego ma już 315 lat!". Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
^ "Prezydent przyznał ordery Orła Białego". Archived from the original on 26 November 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
^ "Order Orła Białego". Archived from the original on 11 May 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2020.

External links

The Order of the White Eagle by Rafal Heydel-Mankoo (archived)
Picture of the Order of the White Eagle

[1] Sierba, Michał (2013). "Tykocińskie Początki Orderu Orła Białego" [Tykocinskie The Beginnings of the Order of the White Eagle]. Vade Nobiscum: Materiały Studenckiego Koła Naukowego Historyków Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego [Vade Nobiscum: Materials of the Student Science Wheel History of the Łódź University] (PDF) (in Polish). Vol. VI: Kultura Elit W Epoce Nowożytnej. Łódź: Uniwersytet Łódzki. pp. 151–162. ISBN 978-83-63199-26-5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 September 2017. Retrieved 7 February 2019.

[2] "Order Orła Białego". Archived from the original on 13 December 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2020.

[3] "Order Orła Białego ma już 315 lat!". Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2020.

[4] "Prezydent przyznał ordery Orła Białego". Archived from the original on 26 November 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2020.

[5] "Order Orła Białego". Archived from the original on 11 May 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2020.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{short description|Polish decoration of merit}}
-{{For|the Serbian Order of the same name|Order of the White Eagle (Serbia)}}
+{{See also|Order of the White Eagle (Serbia)|Order of the White Eagle (Russia)}}
 {{see also|2019 Dresden heist}}
 {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2019}}
@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 |for         =
 |motto       =
-*''PRO FIDE, LEGE ET REGE''<br>(For Faith, Law and King)
+*''[[Pro Fide, Lege et Rege|PRO FIDE, LEGE ET REGE]]''<br>(For Faith, Law and King)
 *''ZA OJCZYZNĘ I NARÓD''<br />(For Fatherland and Nation)
 |status      = Currently awarded
@@ Line 25: / Line 25: @@
 |recipients  =
 |individual  =
-|higher      = none
+|higher      = none - highest award
 |same        =
 |lower       = [[Virtuti Militari|Order Virtuti Militari]]
@@ Line 32: / Line 32: @@
 |caption2    = The ribbon bar of the Order
 }}
-The '''Order of the White Eagle''' ({{lang-pl|Order Orła Białego}}) is [[Poland]]'s highest [[Order (honour)|order]] and one of the oldest [[Order of chivalry|distinctions]] in the world still in use. It was officially instituted on 1 November 1705 by [[Augustus II the Strong]], King of Poland and [[Elector of Saxony]], and bestowed on eight of his closest diplomatic and political supporters.<ref>{{cite book|last=Sierba|first=Michał|date=2013|chapter=Tykocińskie Początki Orderu Orła Białego|trans-chapter=Tykocinskie The Beginnings of the Order of the White Eagle|title=Vade Nobiscum: Materiały Studenckiego Koła Naukowego Historyków Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego|trans-title=Vade Nobiscum: Materials of the Student Science Wheel History of the Łódź University|url=http://www.sknh.uni.lodz.pl/vade/vade_nobiscum_6.pdf|format=PDF|language=Polish|volume=VI: Kultura Elit W Epoce Nowożytnej|location=Łódź|publisher=Uniwersytet Łódzki|pages=151–162|isbn=978-83-63199-26-5|access-date=7 February 2019}}</ref>
+The '''Order of the White Eagle''' ({{langx|pl|Order Orła Białego}}) is the highest honour of the [[Poland|Republic of Poland]] and formerly the [[Second Polish Republic]] and the [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]] and one of the oldest state decorations in the world still in use. It was officially instituted on 1 November 1705 by [[Augustus II the Strong]], King of Poland and [[Elector of Saxony]], and bestowed on eight of his closest diplomatic and political supporters.<ref>{{cite book|last=Sierba|first=Michał|date=2013|chapter=Tykocińskie Początki Orderu Orła Białego|trans-chapter=Tykocinskie The Beginnings of the Order of the White Eagle|title=Vade Nobiscum: Materiały Studenckiego Koła Naukowego Historyków Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego|trans-title=Vade Nobiscum: Materials of the Student Science Wheel History of the Łódź University|url=http://www.sknh.uni.lodz.pl/vade/vade_nobiscum_6.pdf|format=PDF|language=Polish|volume=VI: Kultura Elit W Epoce Nowożytnej|location=Łódź|publisher=Uniwersytet Łódzki|pages=151–162|isbn=978-83-63199-26-5|access-date=7 February 2019|archive-date=10 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910221415/http://www.sknh.uni.lodz.pl/vade/vade_nobiscum_6.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> It has since been awarded to the most distinguished [[Polish people|Poles]] for their merits and occasionally to the heads of state of foreign countries.
-It is awarded to the most distinguished [[Polish people|Poles]] for their merits and to the highest-ranking representatives of foreign countries. The Order of the White Eagle is attached to a purple ribbon slung over the left shoulder to the right side. The star of the Order, once embroidered, is worn on the left side of the chest.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.prezydent.pl/prezydent/kompetencje/ordery-i-odznaczenia/ordery/order-orla-bialego/ |title=Order Orła Białego |access-date=15 April 2020}}</ref>
+The Order of the White Eagle is attached to an azure sash slung over the left shoulder to the right side. The star of the Order, formerly embroidered, is worn on the left side of the chest.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.prezydent.pl/prezydent/kompetencje/ordery-i-odznaczenia/ordery/order-orla-bialego/ |title=Order Orła Białego |access-date=15 April 2020 |archive-date=13 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213011729/https://www.prezydent.pl/prezydent/kompetencje/ordery-i-odznaczenia/ordery/order-orla-bialego |url-status=dead }}</ref> Unlike other Polish high decorations, the Order of the White Eagle does not have different classes or crosses.
 ==History==
 [[File:National Museum in Poznan - Augustus II.JPG|thumb|left|200px|[[Augustus the Strong]] wearing the original Order of the White Eagle with an embroidered [[Grand Cross]]. Portrait by [[Louis de Silvestre]] from around 1718]]
-The badge of the Order of the White Eagle was originally a red [[vitreous enamel|enamel]] oval gold medal with an image of the Polish white eagle on its front side, and the [[royal cypher]] of [[Augustus II the Strong]] over crossed swords on its reverse side, worn on a light blue ribbon. The white eagle badge was replaced by a [[Maltese cross]] badge in 1709. By 1713 it was worn from the neck, with a blue [[sash]], and a [[Star polygons in art and culture|star]]. Augustus limited the number of knights to 72, but only conferred the Order 40 times before his death in 1733. His son, [[Augustus III of Poland|Augustus III]], however, awarded the Order more than three hundred times. Augustus may have been inspired to found the Order by the example of [[Peter the Great]]'s recent founding of the Russian [[Order of Saint Andrew]] (of which he himself had been made one of the first knights by the Russian emperor), and above all by the example of the prestigious French [[Order of the Holy Spirit]], with which the light blue ribbon, and the star with a bird, have a strong resemblance, and which had also inspired Peter the Great's Order of Saint Andrew.
+The badge of the Order of the White Eagle was originally a red [[vitreous enamel|enamel]] oval gold medal with an image of the Polish white eagle on its front side, and the [[royal cypher]] of [[Augustus II the Strong]] over crossed swords on the obverse, worn on a light blue ribbon. The white eagle badge was replaced by a [[Maltese cross]] badge in 1709. By 1713 it was worn from the neck, with a blue [[sash]], and a [[Star polygons in art and culture|star]]. Augustus limited the number of knights to 72, but only conferred the Order 40 times before his death in 1733. His son, [[Augustus III of Poland|Augustus III]], however, awarded the Order more than three hundred times. Augustus may have been inspired to found the Order by the example of [[Peter the Great]]'s recent founding of the Russian [[Order of Saint Andrew]] (of which he himself had been made one of the first knights by the Russian emperor), and above all by the example of the prestigious French [[Order of the Holy Spirit]], with which the light blue ribbon, and the star with a bird, have a strong resemblance, and which had also inspired Peter the Great's [[Order of Saint Andrew]].
-Initially the creation of the Order was strongly opposed by many of the Polish nobility, since membership in the Order conferred a distinction which violated the traditional equality of all Polish nobles. Since the Order had no patron saint, Augustus II made 2 August the feast of the Order. His son, [[Augustus III of Poland|Augustus III]], however, changed the Order's [[Calendar of saints|feast day]] to 3 August.
+Initially, the creation of the Order was strongly opposed by many of the Polish nobility, since membership in the Order conferred a distinction which violated the traditional equality of all Polish nobles. Since the Order had no patron saint, Augustus II made 2 August the feast of the Order. His son, [[Augustus III of Poland|Augustus III]], however, changed the Order's [[Calendar of saints|feast day]] to 3 August.
-[[File:Coat of Arms of Stanisław August Poniatowski with colland of Order of White Eagle.PNG|thumb|right|150px|Coat of Arms of [[Stanisław II Augustus]] with collana of Order of the White Eagle]]
+[[File:Coat of Arms of Stanisław August Poniatowski with colland of Order of White Eagle.PNG|thumb|right|150px|Coat of Arms of [[Stanisław II Augustus]] with collar of the Order of the White Eagle]]
-Under the [[Third Partition of Poland]] in 1795, the Order was abolished. It was renewed in 1807 as the highest award of the [[Duchy of Warsaw]]. From 1815 to 1831, it was awarded by the [[Congress Poland|Russian-controlled Kingdom of Poland]].
+Under the [[Third Partition of Poland]] in 1795, the Order was abolished. It was renewed in 1807 as the highest award of the [[Duchy of Warsaw]], created by [[Napoleon Bonaparte]]. From 1815 to 1831, it was awarded in the [[Congress Poland|Congress Kingdom of Poland]].
-After Russian troops put down the [[November Uprising|Polish uprising of 1830-31]], the Order of the White Eagle was officially "annexed" by [[Nicholas I of Russia|Nicholas I]], and on 17 November 1831 became part of the Russian Imperial honors system. The insignia of this new [[Order of the White Eagle (Russian Empire)|Imperial Russian Order of the White Eagle]] was modified to more closely resemble those of Russian orders. It remained in this form until the [[Russian Revolution of 1917]], in which the Russian Empire fell.
+After Russian troops put down the [[November Uprising|Polish uprising of 1830-31]] in Congress Poland, the Order of the White Eagle was officially "annexed" by [[Nicholas I of Russia|Nicholas I]], and on 17 November 1831 became part of the Russian Imperial honors system. The insignia of this new [[Order of the White Eagle (Russian Empire)|Imperial Russian Order of the White Eagle]] was modified to more closely resemble those of Russian orders. It remained in this form until the [[Russian Revolution of 1917]], in which the Russian Empire fell.
 The Order of the White Eagle officially became Poland's highest decoration by act of [[Sejm|Parliament]] of 4 February 1921, and the insignia was redesigned. During the interbellum (1921-1939), the Order was awarded to 24 Polish citizens and 87 foreigners, among whom were 33 monarchs and heads of state, 10 prime ministers and 15 other ministers of state, and 12 members of royal families.
-After 1948, when the [[Polish People's Republic]] came into existence, the Order of the White Eagle was no longer awarded, but it was never officially abolished. It was also used by the [[Polish Government in Exile]]. Following the collapse of [[Communism]], the Order was once again reinstated on 26 October 1992, the Polish Government-in-Exile having already presented the seal and archives of the Order to [[Lech Wałęsa]]. The first person to be awarded the White Eagle after its reinstatement was Pope [[John Paul II]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.skarbnicanarodowa.pl/kroniki-numizmatyczne/277-order-orla-bialego-ma-juz-315-lat |title=''Order Orła Białego ma już 315 lat''! |access-date=15 April 2020}}</ref> The [[President of Poland]] as the country's head of state is the Grand Master of the Order.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wprost.pl/kraj/10005608/prezydent-przyznal-ordery-orla-bialego.html |title=''Prezydent przyznał ordery Orła Białego'' |access-date=15 April 2020}}</ref>
+After 1948, when the [[Polish People's Republic]] came into existence, the Order of the White Eagle was no longer awarded, but it was never officially abolished. It was also used by the [[Polish Government in Exile]]. Following the collapse of [[Communism]], the Order was once again reinstated on 26 October 1992, the Polish Government-in-Exile having already presented the seal and archives of the Order to [[Lech Wałęsa]]. The first person to be awarded the White Eagle after its reinstatement was Pope [[John Paul II]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.skarbnicanarodowa.pl/kroniki-numizmatyczne/277-order-orla-bialego-ma-juz-315-lat |title=''Order Orła Białego ma już 315 lat''! |access-date=15 April 2020 |archive-date=28 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128084322/https://www.skarbnicanarodowa.pl/kroniki-numizmatyczne/277-order-orla-bialego-ma-juz-315-lat |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[President of Poland]] as the country's head of state is the Grand Master of the Order.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wprost.pl/kraj/10005608/prezydent-przyznal-ordery-orla-bialego.html |title=''Prezydent przyznał ordery Orła Białego'' |access-date=15 April 2020 |archive-date=26 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126193406/https://www.wprost.pl/kraj/10005608/prezydent-przyznal-ordery-orla-bialego.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
 ==1713 Insignia==
 [[Image:Order Orła Białego.PNG|thumb|left|150px|Royal Star of Order of the White Eagle of Augustus II the Strong before 1730]]
 The 1713 badge was a Maltese cross enameled red with white borders with diamonds set in each of the balls at the eight points of the cross and with diamond set rays appearing between each of the points of the cross, i.e., a larger longer ray between each arm of the cross and a smaller ray between each of the two points of these arms. In the centre of the cross was a white enamelled eagle in high relief with spread wings and facing left and with a diamond set royal crown on its head.  At the top of the cross between the two top points was a diamond studded semi-circular link through which passed a diamond studded ring through which, in turn, passed the light-blue ribbon from which it was worn. The reverse side of this Maltese cross was enamelled white with red borders and had at its center an oval gold medallion with the founder's crowned [[royal cypher]] above two crossed swords taken from his arms as the [[Prince-Elector|Arch-Marshall of the Holy Roman Empire]].{{multiple image
  | width1 = 180
@@ Line 68: / Line 69: @@
 The ''star'' of the order consisted of an eight-pointed gold star with straight rays which bore a red-bordered white enamelled [[cross pattée]] with golden rays between the arms and with a golden [[rosette (design)|rosette]] at its centre. The arms of this cross pattée bore the motto "[[Pro Fide, Lege et Rege]]" (For Faith, Law and the King) in golden letters.
-The King of Poland could also wear the cross from a collar of 24 alternating links of white enameled eagles, crowned and holding scepters and orbs, and dark blue enameled ovals, surrounded by gold rays, bearing alternatively full-length enamelled images of the Virgin Mary crowned, dressed in pink and pale blue and supporting the Christ Child on her left arm and holding a gold scepter in her right hand and the letters of her name, "MARIA", arranged into a stylized monogram in white enamel. This collar was made for the coronation of [[Stanisław II Augustus]], the last King of Poland, but the coat of arms of the founder, Augustus the Strong, show the cross of the Order hanging from a collar of a very different design.
+The [[King of Poland]] could also wear the cross from a collar of 24 alternating links of white enameled eagles, crowned and holding scepters and orbs, and dark blue enameled ovals, surrounded by gold rays, bearing alternatively full-length enamelled images of the Virgin Mary crowned, dressed in pink and pale blue and supporting the Christ Child on her left arm and holding a gold scepter in her right hand and the letters of her name, "MARIA", arranged into a stylized monogram in white enamel. This collar was made for the coronation of [[Stanisław II Augustus]], the last King of Poland, but the coat of arms of the founder, Augustus the Strong, show the cross of the Order hanging from a collar of a very different design.
 ==Insignia during the Partitions==
 {{Main|Order of the White Eagle (Russian Empire)}}
-[[File:Collar of the Order of the White Eagle (1829, Nicholas I of Russia).jpg|thumb|Collar of the Order of the White Eagle]]The ''badge'' of the order consisted of a gold [[crown (headgear)|crown]]ed double-headed eagle enamelled in black, with a cross superimposed upon its chest: this was a gold [[Maltese cross]] enamelled in red with white enamel outline and golden rays between the arms. A white enamel crowned eagle with spread [[wing]]s, facing left (the [[coat-of-arms]] of Poland) was superimposed on the cross. On its reverse side the double-headed eagle bore in the center of its back a diminutive red-bordered white-enamelled cross pattée with a gold [[rosette (design)|rosette]] at its center gold rays between its arms. The black double-headed eagle hung by its two crowned heads from an enamelled [[Imperial Crown of Russia|Russian imperial crown]], which, in turn, hung from a dark blue silk [[moire]] ribbon.
+[[File:Collar of the Order of the White Eagle (1829, Nicholas I of Russia).jpg|thumb|Collar of the Order of the White Eagle]]
-The ''star'' of the order consisted of an eight-pointed gold star with straight rays; the central golden disc bore a red-bordered white enamelled cross pattée with a golden [[rosette (design)|rosette]] at its center and golden rays between the arms, surrounded by a blue enamel ring bearing the motto "[[Pro Fide, Lege et Rege]]" (For Faith, Law and the King).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://polskiedzieje.pl/pozostale-artykuly/order-orla-bialego.html |title=Order Orła Białego |access-date=15 April 2020}}</ref>
+The ''badge'' of the order consisted of a gold [[crown (headgear)|crown]]ed double-headed eagle enamelled in black, with a cross superimposed upon its chest: this was a gold [[Maltese cross]] enamelled in red with white enamel outline and golden rays between the arms. A white enamel crowned eagle with spread [[wing]]s, facing left (the [[coat-of-arms]] of Poland) was superimposed on the cross. On its reverse side the double-headed eagle bore in the center of its back a diminutive red-bordered white-enamelled cross pattée with a gold [[rosette (design)|rosette]] at its center gold rays between its arms. The black double-headed eagle hung by its two crowned heads from an enamelled [[Imperial Crown of Russia|Russian imperial crown]], which, in turn, hung from a dark blue silk [[moire]] ribbon.
+The ''star'' of the order consisted of an eight-pointed gold star with straight rays; the central golden disc bore a red-bordered white enamelled cross pattée with a golden [[rosette (design)|rosette]] at its center and golden rays between the arms, surrounded by a blue enamel ring bearing the motto "[[Pro Fide, Lege et Rege]]" (For Faith, Law and the King).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://polskiedzieje.pl/pozostale-artykuly/order-orla-bialego.html |title=Order Orła Białego |access-date=15 April 2020 |archive-date=11 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511202528/https://polskiedzieje.pl/pozostale-artykuly/order-orla-bialego.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
 ==Insignia after 1921==
+[[Image:Star of Order of the White Eagle.png|thumb|Star of the modern order]]
-The ''badge'' of the order consists of a gold [[Maltese cross]] enamelled in red with white enamel outline and with golden [[palmette]]-like rays between the arms. A white enamel crowned eagle with spread [[wing]]s, facing left (the [[coat-of-arms]] of Poland) is superimposed on the cross. It is worn on a plain light blue sash. This design clearly reflects a return to the essential design of the 1713 badge, but without the diamonds of the earlier badge.  The reverse side of the badge bears the same Maltese Cross with golden rays as the front side and this cross bears the same design as that of the star of the order (see below), except that the arms of the cross are not enamelled red, i. e., only the outline of the cross and its central disc with its surrounding oak wreath are enamelled. The ''star'' or ''plaque'' of the order consists of an eight-pointed silver star with straight rays, with a [[gold]] [[Maltese cross]], enamelled in red with white enamel outline and with golden [[palmette]]-like rays between the arms, superimposed upon it. The motto of the order, „Za Ojczyznę i Naród” ("For Fatherland and Nation"), appears on the arms of the cross. The central disc is in white enamel with the monogram "RP" ([[Rzeczpospolita]] Polska) surrounded by a green enamelled oak wreath.
+The ''badge'' of the order consists of a gold [[Maltese cross]] enamelled in red with white enamel outline and with golden [[palmette]]-like rays between the arms. A white enamel crowned eagle with spread [[wing]]s, facing left (the [[coat-of-arms]] of Poland) is superimposed on the cross. It is worn on a plain light blue sash. This design clearly reflects a return to the essential design of the 1713 badge, but without the diamonds of the earlier badge.  The reverse side of the badge bears the same Maltese Cross with golden rays as the front side and this cross bears the same design as that of the star of the order (see below), except that the arms of the cross are not enamelled red, i. e., only the outline of the cross and its central disc with its surrounding oak wreath are enamelled. The ''star'' or ''plaque'' of the order consists of an eight-pointed silver star with straight rays, with a [[gold]] [[Maltese cross]], enamelled in red with white enamel outline and with golden [[palmette]]-like rays between the arms, superimposed upon it. The motto of the order, "''Za Ojczyznę i Naród''" ("For Fatherland and Nation"), appears on the arms of the cross. The central disc is in white enamel with the monogram "RP" ([[Rzeczpospolita]] Polska) surrounded by a green enamelled oak wreath.
 ==Recipients of the Order==
+The following lists some of those invested with the Order, in recognition of significant service to Poland, whether military or civilian.{{Compact ToC |allowtoc=yes |center=yes |custom1=Others}}
+===Poland===
-This is a list of some of those who have been invested in the Order, now awarded in recognition of significant service, both military and civil, in the interests of Poland.[[Image:Star of Order of the White Eagle.png|thumb|150px|Star of the modern order]]{{Compact ToC |allowtoc=yes |center=yes |custom1=Others}}
-===From Poland===
 {{clear right}}
 {{columns-list|colwidth=18em|
@@ Line 96: / Line 102: @@
 * [[Władysław Bartoszewski]]
 * [[Józef Beck]]
+* [[Franciszek Blachnicki]]
 * [[Tadeusz Bór-Komorowski]]
 * [[Franciszek Ksawery Branicki]]
@@ Line 114: / Line 121: @@
 {{anchor|D}}
 ; D
-* Marcin Danielewicz
+* [[Marcin Danielewicz]]
 * [[Stanisław Ernest Denhoff]]
 * [[Ludwik Dorn]]
@@ Line 134: / Line 141: @@
 * [[Stefan Garczynski]]
 * [[Ivan Gašparovič]]
+* [[Stanisław Gebhardt]]
 * [[Bronisław Geremek]]
 * [[Henryk Mikołaj Górecki]]
@@ Line 178: / Line 186: @@
 * [[Stanisław Lubomirski (1704–1793)]]
 * [[Stanisław Lubomirski (1722–1782)]]
-* Kazimierz Łukomski (1920–1991 Polish Airborne World War II)
+* [[Kazimierz Łukomski]] (1920–1991 Polish Airborne World War II)
 * [[Witold Lutosławski]]
 {{anchor|M}}
 ; M
-* Adam Macedoński
+* [[Adam Macedoński]]
 * [[Stanisław Maczek]]
 * [[Stanisław Małachowski]]
 * [[Andrzej Mokronowski]]
 * [[Ignacy Mościcki]] (ex officio)
-* Countess [[Helen Marynowska-Potocki Minchakievich]] ("Countess Partisan," first woman, first USA citizen, awarded and then revoked by Polish Government in London 1944)
+* Countess [[Helen Marynowska-Potocki Minchakievich]] ("Countess Partisan," first woman, first USA citizen, awarded and then revoked by [[Polish Government in Exile]] in London 1944)
 {{anchor|N}}
@@ Line 257: / Line 265: @@
 * [[Stanisław Sosabowski]]
 * [[Baruch Steinberg]]
-* Adam Strzembosz
+* [[Adam Strzembosz]]
 * [[Alexander Suvorov]]
 * [[Wisława Szymborska]]
@@ Line 286: / Line 294: @@
 }}
-===Others===
+===Foreign===
                                <!-- In alphabetical order by last name, thank you -->
 {{columns-list|colwidth=18em|
@@ Line 301: / Line 309: @@
 * [[Traian Basescu]]
 * [[Beatrix of the Netherlands]]
-* [[Boris III]]
+* [[Boris III]], [[Tsar of Bulgaria]]
 * [[Algirdas Brazauskas]]
 ; C
@@ Line 326: / Line 334: @@
 * [[Tarja Halonen]]
 * [[Franz Josef von Hallwyl]]
-* [[Harald V]]
+* [[Harald V]], [[King of Norway]]
 * [[William Neville Hart]]
 * [[Václav Havel]]
@@ Line 336: / Line 344: @@
 * [[Toomas Hendrik Ilves]]
 ; J
+* [[Jacob Bruce]] (one of the chief associates of [[Peter the Great]])
 * [[Joseph Joffre]]
 * [[Juan Carlos I of Spain]]
 ; K
-* [[Amanullah Khan]]
+* [[Amanullah Khan]], [[King of Afghanistan]]
 * [[Mauno Henrik Koivisto]]
 * [[Václav Klaus]]
+* [[Robert Kocharyan]]
 * [[Helmut Kohl]]
 * [[Horst Köhler]]
@@ Line 362: / Line 372: @@
 * [[Roh Moo-hyun]]
 * [[Benito Mussolini]]
+* [[Sergio Mattarella]]
 ; N
 * [[Napoleon Bonaparte|Napoleon I]]
@@ Line 368: / Line 379: @@
 * [[Sauli Niinistö]]
 * [[Karl Nesselrode]]
+* [[Norman Davies]]
 ; O
 * [[Bohdan Osadchuk]]
@@ Line 402: / Line 414: @@
 * [[Emperor Taishō|Emperor Yoshihito]]
 * [[Viktor Yushchenko]]
+* [[Yoon Suk Yeol]]
 ; Z
-* [[Miloš Zeman]]
 * [[Volodymyr Zelenskyy]]
+* [[Miloš Zeman]]
 }}
@@ Line 412: / Line 425: @@
 * [[Polish military eagle]]
 * [[2019 Dresden heist]]
-*[[Orders, decorations, and medals of Poland]]
+* [[Orders, decorations, and medals of Poland]]
+* [[Order of the Pahonia]]
 ==References==
@@ Line 418: / Line 432: @@
 ==External links==
 {{Commons category|Order of the White Eagle}}
-* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090724002552/http://geocities.com/polishnobles/ The Order of the White Eagle] by Rafal Heydel-Mankoo
+* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090724002552/http://geocities.com/polishnobles/ The Order of the White Eagle] by Rafal Heydel-Mankoo (archived)
 * [https://web.archive.org/web/20050416035440/http://www.cbr.edu.pl/wystawy/grabski/strony/order.html Picture of the Order of the White Eagle]
@@ Line 425: / Line 440: @@
 {{DEFAULTSORT:Order Of The White Eagle (Poland)}}
-[[Category:Orders of chivalry of Poland| ]]
+[[Category:Order of the White Eagle (Poland)| ]]
 [[Category:Awards established in 1705]]
 [[Category:Orders of chivalry awarded to heads of state, consorts and sovereign family members|White Eagle (Poland), Order of the]]