History

The Order was instituted by Grand Duke Paul Friedrich August of Oldenburg in commemoration of his father, Duke Peter Friedrich Louis. It was conferred in recognition of both civil and military merit.

The Order was separated into two divisions; each division featured the same awards, but they were allotted a different number of members.

The first division or “die Kapitulare” (the Capitulars) was limited to citizens of Oldenburg. The Princes of the Ducal House were entitled to become Honorary Members of the Grand Cross, so long as their lineage to the House was traced through a direct male bloodline. The Capitulars had an associated badge, which was a medallion surrounded by an enamelled green wreath. The badge came in numerous grades, which affected the composition.

The second division was composed of Honorary Members. This division of the Order was allowed to confer twice as many awards.

All grades of the Order, except for the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals, could be awarded with crossed swords to denote military merit.

If an individual had previously been awarded a lower-grade decoration with swords, and later received a higher grade without swords, they wore “swords on ring” on the higher grade.

In 1918 a further provision for a wreath of laurels was added to the Order. The wreath was conferred for war merit.

The Order became obsolete in 1918 when the last Grand Duke of Oldenburg renounced the throne.

The Grand Cross Capitular Decoration was worn by the Grand Master of the Order, Grand Duke Paul Friedrich August, and the Grand Prior, the Prince of Oldenburg after he reached the age of 18. It was also conferred upon two other members. The annual income for those members was 1600 Mark.