The order of the Star of Brabant was instituted on 14th of June 1914 in 12 classes ( plus 4 special classes for women ) and was awarded as an order for welfare, and social matters. Grand duke Ernst Ludwig made himself and his successors to the grand masters of this order. The name of the order was given because of his ancestor the first Duke of Hessian, Heinrich, from the family line of  Brabant. 

Because the order wasn't designed for war matters and the fact that the 1st World War was over in 1918, the order wasn't awarded to many people. Due to this the order belongs to the most rare of the whole variety of German pre 1918 orders. The average number of awarding per class is between 10-15.

Grand cross

Star to the grand commander 2nd class

The bearer of the order were allowed to add the orders insignia in their coat of arms. Except for the grand cross, the grand commanders cross with turquoise and the grand commander cross 1st class, the order could be awarded with crown for outstanding merit.
Grand duke Ernst Ludwig of Hessian-Darmstadt was involved in the artists' colony, "Mathildenhöhe" in Darmstadt, Germany with its "Werkbundstil". This is mirrored in the orders design. Thinking of the time the order was instituted it is an avant-garde unique styled piece.

 Honor cross 2nd class with crown

The order was awarded in the following classes: 
  • Grand cross
  • Grand commanders cross with turquoise
  • Grand commanders cross 1st class
  • Grand commanders cross 2nd class
  • Commanders cross 1st class
  • commanders cross 2nd class
  • Honor cross 1st class
  • Honor cross 2nd class
  • Knights cross 1st class
  • Knights cross 2nd class

The lady's decorations: 

  • Honor cross lady
  • Lady's cross 1st class
  • Lady's cross 2nd class
  • Lady's of the silver cross

The order also had an affiliated medal 

Knight cross 2nd class revers

 
© A. Schulze Ising, II/99