Physical Description

Constructed of silver gilt. The decoration is in the form of two swords crossed at a 90 degree angle, held together by a crossed ribbon featuring the dates ‘1814’ and ‘1815’. The reverse centre features a clasp with the monograms ‘FL’ and ‘L’ to the sides. On a loop for suspension, on a ribbon with five broader red stripes and five narrower white stripes.

History

The Sword Cross was instituted by Landgraf (Landgrave) Friedrich V and was conferred upon citizens of Hesse-Homburg who participated in the military campaigns from 1813-1815 against France. The statutes of the medal stated that only citizens of Hessen-Homburg who fought against France were eligible to receive the medal. However, at the time, Hesse-Homburg was not a sovereign state and many of its citizens fought in Hesse-Darmstadt’s army, which was allied with the French. Therefore, there were relatively few veterans upon whom the medal could be conferred.

The Gold Cross was designed for Grand Duke Ludwig I of Hesse-Darmstadt.