Imperial Order of St Faustin
The Imperial and Military Order of St Faustin (l’Ordre impérial et militaire de Saint-Faustin) was founded by Emperor Faustin I on 21st September 1849. The order was conferred in recognition of zeal, patriotism, merit and talent by officers in the military and naval services of the empire. It consisted of the Sovereign in his capacity as Grand Master, the Heir Apparent, and three ordinary classes (1. Grand Cross – conferred on all princes and dukes as of right, 2. Commander, and 3. Knight). The Order became obsolete in 1859 (author: Christopher Buyers).
Imperial Order of the Legion of Honour
The Imperial Order of the Legion of Honour (l’Ordre impérial de la Légion d’honneur) was founded by Emperor Faustin I on 21st September 1849. The order was conferred on civil functionaries who merit distinctions for the services they have rendered to the nation. It consisted of the Sovereign in his capacity as Grand Master, the Heir Apparent, and three ordinary classes (1. Grand Cordon, 2. Officer, and 3. Knight). Appointment to the higher classes was limited only to those who had first held the grade of Knight. Obsolete 1859 (author: Christopher Buyers).
Order of St Mary Magdalen
The Order of St Mary Magdalen (l’Ordre de Sainte-Marie-Magdeleine) was founded by Emperor Faustin I on 31st March 1856 and united with the Order of St Anne, created on the same date, as testimony to the gratitude for the blessings of Divine Providence bestowed upon the empire and on the emperor. The order was conferred as a special reward for zeal, military service and fidelity, civic service and virtue. It consisted of the Sovereign in his capacity as Grand Master, a special class (Grand Collar) and three ordinary classes (1. Grand Cross – limited 40 recipients at any one time, together with those of the Order of St Anne, 2. Commander – limited to 120 at any one time together with those of the Order of St Anne, and 3. Knight – unlimited). Appointment to the higher classes was limited only to those who had first held the grade of Knight. Obsolete 1859 (author: Christopher Buyers).
Order of St Anne
The Order of St Anne (l’Ordre de Sainte-Anne) was founded by Emperor Faustin I on 31st March 1856 and united with the Order of St Mary Magdalen, created on the same date, as testimony to the gratitude for the blessings of Divine Providence bestowed upon the empire and on the emperor. Conferred as a special reward for zeal, military service and fidelity, civic service and virtue. The order consisted of the Sovereign in his capacity as Grand Master, a special class (Grand Collar) and three ordinary classes (1. Grand Cross – limited 40 recipients at any one time together with those of the Order of St Mary Magdalen, 2. Commander – limited to 120 at any one time together with those of the Order of St Mary Magdalen, and 3. Knight – unlimited). Appointment to the higher classes was limited only to those who had first held the grade of Knight. Obsolete 1859 (author: Christopher Buyers).
Order of Saint-Marc
The Order of Saint-Marc is a dynastic order of the Serene House of Saint-Marc. It was established in 1996 and does not belong to the imperial orders. The Order of Saint-Marc is considered part of the cultural patrimony of the family and is generally reserved for family members.
Légion d’honneur
The ancient imperial Orders were approved to wear in France by the Légion d’honneur (Chambers Journal XI, jan-jun-1859 Order Saint Faustin). The Legion of Honour is a national order of France. The President of the French Republic is its Grand Master.
Nature of the honours
The current Imperial Orders are not to be confused with ancient European orders of knighthood or knightly orders, since they were created in the 19th century. The titles and honours of the Haitian Imperial House, its dynastic orders and awards, patents of nobility, and other elements of the historical and symbolic system of monarchical institutions no longer enjoy state recognition and bestow no privileges, but they remain nonetheless monuments of Haiti’s history and part of the cultural heritage of the nation.
Structure of the Orders
Traditionally, the Imperial Orders have three classes:
Grand Cordon. The Grand Cordon of the Order was generally conferred upon Prime Ministers and Departmental Ministers, Parliamentary and High Court Presidents, Lieutenant Generals, Admirals, Captains of Industry and others deserving of such recognition and honour.
Officer. Ambassadors, Envoys, Extraordinary and Ministers Plenipotentiary, Captains of Industry, Parliamentary Vice-Presidents, High Court Judges, Major-Generals, Vice Admirals, Rear Admirals and others deserving of such recognition and honour. Commander. Consuls-General, members of the Parliament, Presidents and representatives of scientific institutions, Mayors, Appeal Court Judges, Commodores and others deserving of such recognition and honour.
Chevalier/Dame. Consuls, Attachés, First and Second Secretaries of Embassy, Lieutenant-Colonels, Captains, Commanders, Lieutenant Commanders and others deserving of such recognition and honour.
The ranks of the Orders may further be conferred upon any person of any nationality or social strata, who has distinguished himself in the service to his country and/or to mankind and upon which proof has been established concerning the importance and utility of his efforts in the struggle for a moral and social restoration of those principles which correspond to the aims and ideals of the Order: promoting Liberté, égalité, fraternité. All Ranks have a Neck Insignia worn for men and on a Bow for ladies. Medals and Ribbons can be acquired from the Grand Chancellor’s office.
Arthus-Bertrand in Paris
The decorations are still being made by Arthus-Bertrand in Paris, the makers of the original insignia. Arthus-Bertrand was founded in Paris in 1803 by Claude Arthus-Bertrand, an army officer during the French Revolution. Artists who have designed for the firm include Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi (sculptor of the Statue of Liberty) and Fernand Léger. Arthus-Bertrand has had many distinguished clients to include the French government. It is the official manufacturer of the French Legion of Honor and has made insignia for the Society of the Cincinnati and the Order of Lafayette. The Uniform consists of a dark blue jacket with red, gold edged collar and cuffs worn with blue trousers.