Type 5 Class Order | Established 18 November 1836 | |
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Distinct
recipients Estimated
Grand Cross 15
Commander Cross 1st Class 10
Commander Cross 2nd Class 20
Knight Cross 1st Class 60
Knight Cross 2nd Class 60 Next (lower) Order of Merit for Science and Art | ||
The House Order of Albert the Bear (German: "Hausorden Albrecht des Bären" or "herzoglich Anhalt Hausorden Albrecht des Bären) was founded in 1836 by three dukes of Anhalt, Henry, Duke of Anhalt-Köthen, Leopold IV, Duke of Anhalt, and Alexander Karl, Duke of Anhalt-Bernburg as a joint House Order.
The namesake of the order, Albert I, was the first Margrave of Brandenburg from the House of Ascania. The origin of his nickname "the Bear" is unknown.
This knighthood had four degrees. In 1854 Knight Second Class was added. In 1864, Leopold Friedrich, who by virtue of the extinction of the other branches of the family now had become Duke of Anhalt, altered the statute to provide that the order could be granted with swords. In on April 29, 1901, in honor of the 70th birthday of Duke Frederick I, a crown was added to all classes of the order. The stars of the order remained unchanged.
The order is still in existence as a House Order, with Eduard, Prince of Anhalt serving as the current Grandmaster. Recent recipients include Infante Carlos, Duke of Calabria and Princess Khétévane Bagration de Moukhrani.