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MOST NOBLE ORDER OF KNIGHTS LEON-SABLE OF BAEZA

The Most Noble Order of Knights León-Sable of Baeza and Lemavia is an order of chivalry, or knighthood, originating in Spain, and presently bestowed on recipients around the World. It is the pinnacle of the honours system of the House of Lemavia.

The Order is officially recognized by the Kingdom of Spain^[1]. It was originally envisioned by Don Domingo López de Prado y Lamela, VI Lord of Lemavia, as part of the Royal Primogeniture granted to the House of Lemavia on January 2nd 1700.

Flag carried by Christian Crusaders at the Battle of Baeza (Spain), on November 30th 1227

EMBLEM AND SYMBOLOGY OF THE ORDER

The Order's emblem, depicted on insignia, is a X cross of Saint Andrew, a tribute to those Crusader Knights who fought the muslim invaders in the Battle of Baeza (November 30th 1227), and thus helped to preserve the Western Civilization in Europe. The Cross of Saint Andrew is custodied by two rampant Sable Lions, which give its name to the Order. Two bezants signify the tribute paid by captive muslim Princes after the battle.

Seal of the Order of Knights Leon-Sable of Baeza and Lemavia

All these heraldic elements are also present in the Coat of Arms of the House of Lemavia, which is an honor bestowed by the King Ferdinand III (Saint Ferdinand)^[2] on descendants of Crusaders who died at that Battle of Baeza.

Members of the order wear a collar, band or medal with this insignia on ceremonial occasions.

The official anthem of the Order is the Miserere of Gregorio Allegri (Psalm 51).

PURPOSE OF THE ORDER

The Order is a collateral body of the House of Lemavia. Among its objectives are^[3]:

• The promotion of charities.

• Historical research.

• Genealogical studies.

• Fraternity of their members.

• Honoring the contribution to society of meritorious individuals.

MEMBERSHIP^[4]

Membership in the order is divided in two groups:

• Members by Right:

  • Members of the ''The Ancient Royal Primogeniture of Lemavia''

  • Members of the ''Society of Lemavia''

  • Descendants of a Lord of the Lemavia.

•  Members by Honor:

  • Knighthoods are regularly awarded to members of society with a life of dedication to the same ideals of freedom and culture as promoted by the Order.

New members are ceremonially proclaimed on the Day of the Order, November 30th, festivity of Saint Andrew.

RANKS OF THE ORDER

• Escudero, Squire.

• Knight, Lady.

• Abanderado, Standard-bearer.

• Comendador, Knight Commander, Comendadora

• Caballero Gran Cruz de San Andrés, Knight Grand Cross of Saint Andrew, Lady Grand Cross of Saint Andrew.

• Knight XIII, Lady XIII.

SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE ORDER

Among Knights XIII and Ladies XIII, a Supreme Council is elected to the following offices:

• Sovereign Grand Master

• Constable

• Mariscal, Marshal

• Senechal

For further information about the Order, read:

• Constitutions
• Foundational Act
• Recognition by the Kingdom of Spain

^[1] Patent Letter by the Kingdom of Spain
^[2] Argote de Molina (1588): "Nobleza de Andalucía". "Asimismo tomaron for orla muchos de los caballeros que fallecieron en esta empresa ocho aspas de oro, en campo de sangre [...] y otros tomaron la aspa por divisa porque el dia del glorioso apostol San Andres vencieron a los moros".
^[3] Letter of Foundation of the Order
^[4] Constitutions of the Order