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Order of the Garter

The Order of the Garter, sent to Christian IV by James I in 1603.

Gold with enamel and diamonds. The collar is thought to be the oldest specimen of the Order in existence. It was formed as a brotherhood of arms by Edward III in 1348. It shows the christian knight St. Georges’ victory against the dragon. Immediately after his enthronement in 1603 James I had his brother in law, the Danish king Christian IV, knighted. After the death of Christian IV in 1648 the order was not returned, as is practice, but kept under the excuse of the civil unrest in England at the time, which resulted in the instalment of the english English republic under the lead of Cromwell.

Relations

Miniature orders

Frederik VII’s miniature orders. The 27 orders are all in silver, but otherwise made as accurate copies of the original badges.

Order of the Elephant, Christian IV

Christian IV's Order of the Elephant.

Order of the Elephant, Frederik II

The Order of the Elephant in its oldest existing form, with Frederik II’s picture, monogram and motto. Made in 1580 by Hans Raadt, possibly from a drawing by Melchior Lorck.

1600-1625

The first decades of the 17th century was a great period for the entrepreneurial and ambitious Christian IV. An economic depression was on its way, but its full force had not yet been felt.

Christian IV

Christian IV was the King of Denmark and Norway from 1588; crowned in 1596. Son of Frederik II and Sophie of Mecklenburg.