Order of the Netherlands Lion

Main category

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

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The Order of the Netherlands Lion was established in 1815 to recognise civilian merit. The order is awarded in gold, gold-plated silver, silver and enamel.

The Order of the Netherlands Lion was established by an Act of 29 September 1815 to reward all those “who demonstrate proven patriotism, exceptional diligence and loyalty in the fulfilment of their civic duties, or outstanding ability in the sciences and arts’. The Order comprises three grades: Knight Grand Cross, Commander and Knight. The grade of Brother was also formerly part of the Order. With the entry into force of the National Act of 15 April 1994, the rank of Brother was abolished. Since then, the Order of the Netherlands Lion has been conferred ‘in recognition of special merits of a highly exceptional nature towards society’.

The Order of the Netherlands Lion is still awarded today and is listed in the decree on the order of precedence for honours, as laid down by the Minister of the Interior.

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General

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Start date	1815
End date
Captions	voorzijde: VIRTUS NOBILITAT
Dimensions [width]
Material	gold; gold-plated silver; silver; enamel
Number

Background

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Institutional decision	Act of 29 September 1815
Additions	National Act of 15 April 1994 (Bulletin of Acts and Decrees 1994, No. 350)
Objective	Awarded in recognition of ‘outstanding achievements of a highly exceptional nature in the service of society’.
(Historical) context
Producer
Bibliography	Orders and Decorations of the Netherlands, 28–31
Note	The Order of the Netherlands Lion was established by an Act of 29 September 1815 to reward all those “who demonstrate proven patriotism, exceptional diligence and loyalty in the fulfilment of their civic duties, or outstanding ability in the sciences and arts’. The Order comprises three grades: Knight Grand Cross, Commander and Knight. The grade of Brother was also formerly part of the Order. With the entry into force of the National Act of 15 April 1994, the rank of Brother was abolished. Since then, the Order of the Netherlands Lion has been conferred ‘in recognition of special merits of a highly exceptional nature towards society’.