Physical Description

An eight-sided star, constructed of silver wire embroidery. It features the inscription ‘L’ÉMULATION’ (‘for competition’).
No further information was available.

History

The Academic Order of the Carlsschule was established by Duke Carl Eugen of Württemberg in 1772. It was awarded to students from the Hohe Carlsschule, an elite military and art academy, who demonstrated exceptional academic performance and had won at least four prizes related to scientific study. Recipients of the award, regardless of class or background, were placed in the service of the duke. If a recipient wanted to pursue a career in the military, they were able to enter with a rank that was one rank higher than what they would have received otherwise.

The recipients of the order were referred to as "chevalier" and were placed before the nobility in the Hohe Carlsschule address book. Knights of the order had a separate dormitory and received better food. While at the school, recipients wore the decoration from around their neck, as well as an embroidered breast star on the right side of their tunic.

In 1773, Duke Carl expanded the order and created and a Grand Cross for nobility and students who had received at least eight prizes related to scientific study. The recipients of this award were referred to as "Grandchevalier".

The order was discontinued in 1793 following the death of Duke Carl Eugen.