Portugal, Republic. A Military Order Of Christ, V Class Knight,C.1900

(Ordem Militar de Cristo). Instituted in 1319. In silver with red and white enamels, measuring 25.5 mm (w) x 37.2 mm (h) inclusive of its integral suspension, intact enamels, original ribbon, extremely fine.

Footnote: The Military Order of Christ, previously the Order of the Knights of Our Lord Jesus Christ, was the former Knights Templar order as it was reconstituted in Portugal after the Templars were abolished on March 22, 1312 by the papal bull, Vox in excelso, issued by Pope Clement V. The Order of Christ was founded in 1319, with the protection of the Portuguese king, Denis I, who refused to pursue and persecute the former knights as had occurred in all the other sovereign states under the political influence of the Catholic Church. Heavily swayed by Philip IV of France, Pope Clement had the Knights Templar annihilated throughout France and most of Europe on charges of heresy, but Denis revived the Templars of Tomar as the Order ofChrist, largely for their aid during the Reconquista and in the reconstruction of Portugal after the wars. Denis negotiated with Clement's successor, John XXII, for recognition of the new order and its right to inherit the Templar assets and property.

The Order of Christ, as awarded by the Portuguese government today, comes in five classes: Grand Cross (GCC), which wears the badge of the Order on a sash on the right shoulder, and the star of the Order in gold on the left chest; Grand Officer (GOC), which wears the badge of the Order on a necklet, and the star of the Order in gold on the left chest; Commander (ComC), which wears the badge of the Order on a necklet, and the star of the Order in silver on the left chest; Officer (OC), which wears the badge of the Order on a ribbon with rosette on the left chest; and Knight (CavC) or Dame (DamC), which wears the badge of the Order on a plain ribbon on the left chest.