Knowledge Centre for Orders of Knighthood & Decorations

Discover the world of Dutch honours: their history, their significance, the people and their stories.

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Stichting Kroon was born out of our passion for honours and the stories behind them

Knowledge Centre for <span>Orders of Knighthood & Decorations</span>

Knowledge Centre for <span>Orders of Knighthood & Decorations</span>

Knowledge Centre for <span>Orders of Knighthood & Decorations</span>

The place <span>to find meaning</span>

The place to find meaning

Honours

Honours

Delve into the world of Dutch orders of chivalry and honours. The only official and comprehensive knowledge base for reliable information.

Stories

Stories

Embark on a journey through stories of courage, dedication and recognition. Real stories that keep history alive and remind us of its significance.

Collaborations

Collaborations

We collaborate with museums, archives, collectors and recipients of honours. In this way, we pool our knowledge.

From Passion
to a platform

What began as a personal fascination with Dutch orders of chivalry has grown into a platform that brings together knowledge, stories and people. Through Stichting Kroon , we keep this valuable heritage alive. So that its significance and value remain visible through the ages to anyone who wishes to learn more about this special part of our history.

From the Passienaar platform

Order of Chivalry

Order of Knighthood

Order of Chivalry

Order of Knighthood

Order of Chivalry

Order of Knighthood

Order of Chivalry

Order of Knighthood

Order of Chivalry

Order of Knighthood

Order of Chivalry

Order of Knighthood

Order of Chivalry

Order of Knighthood

Order of Chivalry

Order of Knighthood

Order of Chivalry

Order of Knighthood

Order of Chivalry

Order of Knighthood

Order of Chivalry

Order of Knighthood

Order of Chivalry

Order of Knighthood

Order of Chivalry

Order of Knighthood

Order of Chivalry

Order of Knighthood

Order of Chivalry

Order of Knighthood

Order of Chivalry

Order of Knighthood

Order of Chivalry

Order of Knighthood

Order of Chivalry

Order of Knighthood

Order of Chivalry

Order of Knighthood

Order of Chivalry

Order of Knighthood

up to 1500 (Middle Ages)

1500–1795 (Ancien Régime)

1795–1815 (French period)

1815–1914 (Modern era to the First World War)

1914–1918 (World War I)

1918–1939 (Interwar period)

1939–1945 (WWII)

After 1945 (present day)

up to 1500 (Middle Ages)

1500–1795 (Ancien Régime)

1795–1815 (French period)

1815–1914 (Modern era to the First World War)

1914–1918 (World War I)

1918–1939 (Interwar period)

1939–1945 (WWII)

After 1945 (present day)

up to 1500 (Middle Ages)

1500–1795 (Ancien Régime)

1795–1815 (French period)

1815–1914 (Modern era to the First World War)

1914–1918 (World War I)

1918–1939 (Interwar period)

1939–1945 (WWII)

After 1945 (present day)

up to 1500 (Middle Ages)

1500–1795 (Ancien Régime)

1795–1815 (French period)

1815–1914 (Modern era to the First World War)

1914–1918 (World War I)

1918–1939 (Interwar period)

1939–1945 (WWII)

After 1945 (present day)

up to 1500 (Middle Ages)

1500–1795 (Ancien Régime)

1795–1815 (French period)

1815–1914 (Modern era to the First World War)

1914–1918 (World War I)

1918–1939 (Interwar period)

1939–1945 (WWII)

After 1945 (present day)

up to 1500 (Middle Ages)

1500–1795 (Ancien Régime)

1795–1815 (French period)

1815–1914 (Modern era to the First World War)

1914–1918 (World War I)

1918–1939 (Interwar period)

1939–1945 (WWII)

After 1945 (present day)

up to 1500 (Middle Ages)

1500–1795 (Ancien Régime)

1795–1815 (French period)

1815–1914 (Modern era to the First World War)

1914–1918 (World War I)

1918–1939 (Interwar period)

1939–1945 (WWII)

After 1945 (present day)

up to 1500 (Middle Ages)

1500–1795 (Ancien Régime)

1795–1815 (French period)

1815–1914 (Modern era to the First World War)

1914–1918 (World War I)

1918–1939 (Interwar period)

1939–1945 (WWII)

After 1945 (present day)

up to 1500 (Middle Ages)

1500–1795 (Ancien Régime)

1795–1815 (French period)

1815–1914 (Modern era to the First World War)

1914–1918 (World War I)

1918–1939 (Interwar period)

1939–1945 (WWII)

After 1945 (present day)

up to 1500 (Middle Ages)

1500–1795 (Ancien Régime)

1795–1815 (French period)

1815–1914 (Modern era to the First World War)

1914–1918 (World War I)

1918–1939 (Interwar period)

1939–1945 (WWII)

After 1945 (present day)

up to 1500 (Middle Ages)

1500–1795 (Ancien Régime)

1795–1815 (French period)

1815–1914 (Modern era to the First World War)

1914–1918 (World War I)

1918–1939 (Interwar period)

1939–1945 (WWII)

After 1945 (present day)

up to 1500 (Middle Ages)

1500–1795 (Ancien Régime)

1795–1815 (French period)

1815–1914 (Modern era to the First World War)

1914–1918 (World War I)

1918–1939 (Interwar period)

1939–1945 (WWII)

After 1945 (present day)

up to 1500 (Middle Ages)

1500–1795 (Ancien Régime)

1795–1815 (French period)

1815–1914 (Modern era to the First World War)

1914–1918 (World War I)

1918–1939 (Interwar period)

1939–1945 (WWII)

After 1945 (present day)

up to 1500 (Middle Ages)

1500–1795 (Ancien Régime)

1795–1815 (French period)

1815–1914 (Modern era to the First World War)

1914–1918 (World War I)

1918–1939 (Interwar period)

1939–1945 (WWII)

After 1945 (present day)

up to 1500 (Middle Ages)

1500–1795 (Ancien Régime)

1795–1815 (French period)

1815–1914 (Modern era to the First World War)

1914–1918 (World War I)

1918–1939 (Interwar period)

1939–1945 (WWII)

After 1945 (present day)

up to 1500 (Middle Ages)

1500–1795 (Ancien Régime)

1795–1815 (French period)

1815–1914 (Modern era to the First World War)

1914–1918 (World War I)

1918–1939 (Interwar period)

1939–1945 (WWII)

After 1945 (present day)

up to 1500 (Middle Ages)

1500–1795 (Ancien Régime)

1795–1815 (French period)

1815–1914 (Modern era to the First World War)

1914–1918 (World War I)

1918–1939 (Interwar period)

1939–1945 (WWII)

After 1945 (present day)

up to 1500 (Middle Ages)

1500–1795 (Ancien Régime)

1795–1815 (French period)

1815–1914 (Modern era to the First World War)

1914–1918 (World War I)

1918–1939 (Interwar period)

1939–1945 (WWII)

After 1945 (present day)

up to 1500 (Middle Ages)

1500–1795 (Ancien Régime)

1795–1815 (French period)

1815–1914 (Modern era to the First World War)

1914–1918 (World War I)

1918–1939 (Interwar period)

1939–1945 (WWII)

After 1945 (present day)

up to 1500 (Middle Ages)

1500–1795 (Ancien Régime)

1795–1815 (French period)

1815–1914 (Modern era to the First World War)

1914–1918 (World War I)

1918–1939 (Interwar period)

1939–1945 (WWII)

After 1945 (present day)

<span><br /></span>, every decoration has <span>its own story</span>

Every decoration has its own story

Read the stories about remarkable people and the honours they received

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Facing overwhelming odds with outdated bombers

Facing overwhelming odds with outdated bombers

A Cross of Merit for Dempster Wintersberger

A Cross of Merit for Dempster Wintersberger

Eleven lives saved from the dark water

Eleven lives saved from the dark water

Skating during the war

Skating during the war

He saved my life

He saved my life

1500–1795 (Ancien Régime)

A wooden model

An ‘Eresabel’ who is no longer anonymous

An ‘Eresabel’ who is no longer anonymous

Piet Spee in New Guinea

Military medals

Piet Spee in New Guinea

Walking with Frank

After 1945 (present day)

Walking with Frank

Sabres for the heroes of Doggersbank

1500–1795 (Ancien Régime)

Sabres for the heroes of Doggersbank

William Lockhart, observer-combatant in Aceh

Two British observers with the KNIL

A final mission above Biak

After 1945 (present day)

A final mission above Biak

Chris Davis and Prince Bernhard

1939–1945 (WWII)

From resistance hero to secret agent?

The Military Order of William of Van Speijk

The Military Order of William of Van Speijk

Legion of Merit, a US decoration for assistance

1939–1945 (WWII)

How a Rijkswaterstaat engineer helped the Allies

Medal set with a cross for military exploits and the ‘Timor 1942’ bar, War Commemoration Cross with bars and Navy Long Service Medal

1939–1945 (WWII)

Timor and the Tjerk Hiddes

An exceptionally decorated Canadian veteran

1939–1945 (WWII)

An exceptionally decorated Canadian veteran

You haven’t achieved anything yourself yet …

You haven’t achieved anything yourself yet …

After 1945 (present day)

Dr Bax

For her courage as a woman

Military medals

For her courage as a woman

A tiny little Doggersbank medal

1500–1795 (Ancien Régime)

A tiny little Doggersbank medal

A toddler wearing the Order of the Garter

Orders of Knighthood

A toddler wearing the Order of the Garter

The sky from your bed

The sky from your bed

A raging fire in the tower

Samba in the snow

Samba in the snow

The Order of the Golden Lion of Nassau

The Order of the Golden Lion of Nassau

Order of Saint Michael, a French order of chivalry

1500–1795 (Ancien Régime)

A French order of chivalry for a Dutch naval hero

Order of the Golden Fleece

1500–1795 (Ancien Régime)

… a rediscovered decoration of the Order of the Golden Fleece

Cross for Military Merit with the Timor 1942 bar, awarded to G.W. Locher

1939–1945 (WWII)

From scientist to guerrilla fighter

Presentation of the bronze medal of the Royal Society for the Rescue of Drowning Persons

Where instinct, courage and cooperation came together

Benjamin Ben Dale

He kept rowing whilst hope froze

Bronze medal from the Royal North and South Holland Lifesaving Society awarded to Siem den Heijer Rinske

A cap, a rescue and a night at sea

Killed in a Germanic ambush

Killed in a Germanic ambush

Dicken’s giant possum Magawa

The African giant possum with a gold medal

Lebanese decoration awarded to Philip de Koning, UNIFIL veteran

After 1945 (present day)

Two posthumous honours for Sergeant De Koning

An insulting reward for the emperor’s ambassador

1500–1795 (Ancien Régime)

An insulting reward for the emperor’s ambassador

Royal Figure

Every decoration has its own story

Delve into the facts and background of orders of chivalry and honours in the Netherlands

View all honours

The silver medal of honour from Naarden 1814, obverse of a military decoration from 1814, bearing the inscription ‘Siege of Naarden 1814’

Reward medal for the Volunteer Mounted Hunters of Utrecht, 1815, obverse, silver, inscription: KOMPE. VRIJWILLIGE JAGERS TE PAARD NO. 5

Commemorative medal marking Queen Wilhelmina’s accession to the throne, 1898. Front of the 1898 accession medal

Marriage Medal 1901

The Cross of Merit, obverse of a military decoration from 1941, medal with the ‘honourable mention’ clasp

The Lombok Cross, obverse of a military decoration from 1894 bearing the inscription LOMBOK MATARAM TJAKRANEGARA

Order of Orange-Nassau, Officer with Swords, knighthood established in 1895, obverse

The Metal Cross 1830–1831, obverse of a military decoration from 1830

The Order of the Netherlands Lion, brother’s medal, obverse of the Knight’s Order from 1815, brother’s medal

Aceh Medal, a military decoration from 1873–1874 bearing the inscription ‘WILLEM III KONING DER NEDERLANDEN G.H.V.L’ on the obverse

The 2013 Inauguration Medal, obverse of the royal decoration from 2013: Willem-Alexander’s visit to the Netherlands Antilles

The Star for Loyalty and Merit, large gold medal, obverse of the decoration from 1894

The Order of the Netherlands Lion, Knight, obverse of the Knight’s Order from 1815 bearing the inscription ‘Virtus nobili tat’

The Doggersbank Medal, silver, obverse of a military decoration from 1781 bearing the inscription PAX QVAERETVR BELLO

Bronze Lion, a bravery decoration from 1944, obverse of a Garrard-type medal with a repeat mark in the form of the number 2