Diploma Reale Casa Portoghese

[Sagittario]

Gradirei conoscere informazioni su questo diploma e se si riferisce ad ordine cavalleresco.
Ringrazio anticipatamente.

[storia passata]

credo si tratti dell' Ordine Reale di San Michele dell'Ala (in portoghese: Real Ordem de São Miguel da Ala) è il più antico ordine cavalleresco portoghese; diversamente da molti altri ordini lusitani, non è stato evocato a sé dalla Repubblica alla sua nascita nel 1910 e di conseguenza il Duca di Braganza ne rimane il solo Gran Maestro e unico giudice su chi possa esservi ammesso.

[nicolad72]

Storia passata, sei - e di molto - fuori strada.

[Tilius]

credo si tratti dell' Ordine Reale di San Michele dell'Ala

Acqua, acqua...

[Sagittario]

credo si tratti dell' Ordine Reale di San Michele dell'Ala

Acqua, acqua...

Io non sono bravo con i giochini e poi preferisco ricevere, se possibile, le notizie richieste in apertura del topic senza proporre ipotesi sballate

[Lupo]

Io non sono bravo con i giochini e poi preferisco ricevere, se possibile, le notizie richieste in apertura del topic senza proporre ipotesi sballate

È auspicabile ma non sempre possibile. A volte, come il caso in esame, si va a tentoni. Io, ad esempio, che sono commendatore onorario dell'Ala di San Michele, non posso essere d'ausilio poiché non ho mai visto il diploma in esame. Di sicuro, pero', non è un diploma dell'Ala di San Michele

[cassinelli]

Ecco quanto trovato in Rete...

Clarification regarding “Knights and Dames of the Portuguese Royal House”

In view of some confusion that has arisen recently regarding the correct nature and interpretation of “Knights and Dames of the Portuguese Royal House”, the Chancellery and Centre for Studies of the Portuguese Dynastic Royal Orders, has decided to issue the following Clarification.

1. In the tradition of Iberian Monarchies, the Portuguese Royal House and particularly, the Ducal House of Braganza, has always enjoyed the Fons Honorum that some members of the Episcopate also had, namely that of bestowing Knighthood on any individual, thus conferring upon the recipient the right to bear Arms and Weapons within the Realm for the protection of subjects. Such Knighthoods were either Hereditary or Non Hereditary and thus conferred limited personal nobility or “Nato” full inherited nobility to descendants from birth.

2. Both Kings and Queens and Princes in the Office of Masters or Priors of Religious Military Orders, in this tradition, invested Knights and appointed Dames who were later assigned, or not assigned, to a particular Religious (Military or Contemplative) Order.

3. The example of the Holy Constable Saint Nuno Álvares Pereira, founder of the Portuguese Royal House clearly illustrates this tradition for he was knighted at an early age by Queen Leonor who made him her Court Page and only later on was he “Invested” by his Father, in the Hospitillar Order of Saint John, having become its Master or Prior upon the death of his Brother and later having resigned from the Order of Saint John (Malta) altogether without ceasing to be a Knight of the Realm so as to be invested and Professed in the other Orders of the Kingdom as was required in the Office of Grand Constable (General). He later resigned from these Offices and Orders so as to become once again just a Knight and a “Donatus” Lay Servite Brother in the Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel which he founded in Portugal.

4. Similarly, there were Dames of the Court who after Professing Religious Vows maintained or were promoted to Dame Commanders (Comendadeiras) which territorial charge over Convents and Cloistered Religious much like the Commanders of Religious Monastic Military Orders which became State or Dynastic honorific decorations after 1834.

5. Those knighted by the Kings, Queens or Dukes of Braganza beginning in the XIV Century became in essence “Hereditary or non-Hereditary Knights and Dames of the Portuguese Royal House or of the Ducal House of Bragança”.

6. Those who took the religious vows or “Professed” in a particular Portuguese Religious Monastic Order of Chivalry and were invested by the Master of Prior of this Order on the Pope and King’s behalf, became “Professed Knights” of that Order, whilst still being “Knights and Dames of the Portuguese Royal House or Ducal House of Bragança”.

7. From these ranks of Knighted individuals were also chosen “Pages”, “Hereditary Knights” and also “Royal and Ducal Honor Guards”. In the Ducal House of Braganza these Gentlemen-in -waiting were also bodyguards popularly known the “Tudesco Guard” since they were comprised of trusted German soldiers imported and knighted for personal service to the Dukes at a time when hired Portuguese and Spanish would-be assassins often infiltrated the ranks of the Household Staff.

8. Those members of the Religious Military Orders that had not been Knighted by the King, Queen, Duke of Braganza or the Master or Prior of the Order (who was usually a Prince of the Realm acting in representation as Territorial Governor of the Order on behalf of the Grand Master who was the King), were in essence invested just as “Professed religious” or “Donatus lay servite brothers”.

9. If a member of a Religious Monastic (Military or Contemplative) Order decided to retire from the same after some time of active duty, he would simply leave the Order as a “Professed member” and remain a “Knight or Dame of the Portuguese Royal House” but no longer wear the Insignia of that Order in public.

10. Thus in keeping with ancient tradition or “Fons Honorum” and safeguarding “Canon Law” in view of the recent Canonical Erection of the Dynastic Royal Orders as Roman Catholic Association of the Faithful, and in keeping with the clarification provided by the Holy See, the Royal House of Braganza has decided to distinguish the nomination of “Knights and Dames of the Portuguese Royal House” as an exclusive prerogative of the Dynastic Head.

11. Even though practicing Christians are at times invested and knighted simultaneously as “Professed Conferes” in the former Religious Monastic Military Orders now again socially active as Catholic Associations of the Faithful and “Honorary Knights and Dames of the Portuguese Royal House”, it should be understood that both conditions, as in centuries past, are separate in nature.

12. Although a Knight or Dame may “Profess” and be “Invested” (receive the habit) of a Canonically Erected Religious social active Knightly Confraternity under the Patronage of the Portuguese Royal House, all “Knighthoods” bestowed by the Portuguese Royal House are exclusive from the Dynastic Head and independent of acceptance or not into the Canonical Erected religious body.

13. Since the Holy See has recently clarified that the creation of Honorary “Knights and Dames” is something that is not allowed within the Catholic Church structure of Associations of the Faithful whose main purpose should be the personal sanctification of its Confreres, it is the Letters Patent issued to “Knights and Dames of the Portuguese Royal House” that today must attest to the bestowal of an “Honorary” Knighthood on “Knights and Dames of the Portuguese Royal House” .

14. It should be understood, however, that although the Letters Patent may attest to the bestowal of Knighthood on an individual in the ranking system common to the traditions of Chivalry (Knight, Commander or Officer, Commander with Star or Grand Officer and Grand Cross) and although there have been designed “Badges of Rank” for “Knights and Dames of the Portuguese Royal House”, these do NOT constitute the Insignia of an old or new Order but are only “Badges of Distinction” as there are only three Dynastic Royal Orders; Our Lady of Conception of Vila Viçosa, Saint Michael of the Wing and Saint Isabel (only for Ladies).

The first Order was Canonically Erected as an Association of the Faithful in the Patriarchal Archdiocese of Lisbon in June of 2013, the second has Canonical Erection since 2000 in various Diocese and Archdiocese throughout the World and together form the Federation, and the last Order, has been Canonically Erected in the Diocese of Coimbra since 1996 at the Convent where the body of Queen Saint Isabel is venerated.

15. There is NO Insignia of “Knights and Dames of the Portuguese Royal House” but Badges devised in the traditional ranks of Insignia that identify the rank of bestowal of Knighthood.

16. It should also be clarified that the designation of “Honorary” when used in association with “Knights and Dames of the Portuguese Royal House” identifies a “Non Portuguese or a Foreign member”, although, in reality, since 1834, all Dynastic Orders are Honorific and no longer Military or Monastic so that it may even be common to see Portuguese Knights referred to as “Honorary” on their “Letters Patent”, although usually it is not the case so as to differentiate non-Portuguese in keeping with European custom.

17. In the past, the case of “Honorary” being applied as a term to describe “Brothers” of the Canonically Erected “Royal Brotherhoods” such as that of Saint Michael of the Wing, has true meaning of “non Catholic” , “non practicing Catholic” or “Suspended Catholic” or in the case of a member who is of a different religion or member of a Christian Sect not recognized or in Communion with the Roman Catholic Church (such as the Mormon Faith or Jehovah Witnesses), a Catholic married within the Church who is divorcee and has remarried civilly without having obtained a declaration of annulment of the previous marriage, or a person who has been invested as a Freemason.

18. Since Diocesan and Canonical Norms now strictly prohibit persons in the situations referred to in point 17, from wearing the “Habit” and “Insignia” used by all “Catholic or Christian” members as a distinctive of their status, it thus became necessary to provide these persons, who can now, no longer wear the Insignia of the “Catholic” Dynastic Orders, but who are still, none-the-less “Knights and Dames of the Portuguese Royal House” with a “non-religious cape of Knighthood” and Badges of Rank attesting to such an honor.

19. Whilst Catholics with Canonical Impediments and those members of other Faiths described in point 17. May attend Catholic Functions such as Mass, they cannot receive Holy Communion or hold any active Offices within the Catholic Structure including the carrying of flags, banners or Sacred images in Procession.

20. Although “Knights and Dames of the Portuguese Royal House” may wear the Capes and Badges that are indicative of their honors at Holy Masses, they cannot participate in Liturgical Processions and must have a special seating arrangement to the opposite side of their “Professed Confreres” normally reserved for invited civil and secular dignitaries and members of other non-Christian faiths.
In the case of the Jewish Faith, given they are considered “Older Brothers in the Faith” and who also venerate Saint Michael since biblical times, an exception is sometimes made by the Curia and such members allowed to wear the Habit and Insignia of the Royal Brotherhood of Saint Michael of the Wing within the ranks of the organization although they may not receive Holy Communion.

21. In the particular case of membership in the Catholic Associations that were formerly Monastic Military Orders such as the Royal Brotherhood of the Order of Saint Michael of the Wing, the Dynastic Head reserves the Hereditary “Fons Honorum” of Grand Master to be able to bestow the Insignia of the Dynastic Orders upon “Knights and Dames of the Portuguese Royal House” invested by the Church in the Brotherhoods or Orders under Royal Patronage and of the same Sovereign invocation and as of Canonical Erection but symbolically shares this privilidge with the Episcopate who can also thus wear the Grand Collar of the Royal Order of Saint Michael of the Wing for as long as Canonical Erection is maintained in that Diocese.

22. “Knights and Dames of the Portuguese Royal House” who in the past were Knighted simultaneously and Invested in the Brotherhood but who have Canonical impediments or other impediments referred to in Point 17. In accordance with Diocesan Protocol can still wear the Insignia of the Order of Saint Michael of the Wing but only at authorized Civil and Social functions such as cocktails and dinners.

Therefore in view of the above:

A. All “Knights and Dames of the Portuguese Royal House” on whom was bestowed knighthood through one of the Dynastic Royal Order but have “Canonical impediments” should acquire a separate Letter Patent attesting to the fact that they are “Knights and Dames of the Portuguese Royal House” and the respective “Cape” and “Badges of Rank” to wear at authorized, religious and civil functions.

B. All “Knights and Dames of the Portuguese Royal House” on whom was bestowed knighthood through one of the Dynastic Royal Order and who are “Professed and Active Confreres” may also acquire a separate Letter Patent attesting to the fact that they are “Knights and Dames of the Portuguese Royal House” and can obtain the respective “Badges of Rank”, however, as long as they are “active members” and “in good stranding” without any Canonical Impediments in one of the Brotherhoods or Orders under Royal Patronage and of the same Sovereign invocation, they are FORBIDDEN from wearing the Cape or “Badges of Rank” at all at authorized, religious and civil functions and likewise FORBIDDEN from wearing the same together with any Insignia of the Portuguese Dynastic Orders or Brotherhoods, for such is designed to be worn, on its own, and by members of other Catholic Portuguese Royal Orders, ONLY at civil functions as an exclusive and distinctive Badge of Rank for a Knight or Dame of the Portuguese Royal House. The use of a miniature of said badge on a bar is also prohibited.

C. The Badge of Rank is therefore primarily to be used by those non Catholic or irregular Catholic members of the Dynastic Orders and suspended Catholics with Canonical impediments at functions of said Order and as such cannot be used together with the Insignia of the Order denoting the same rank so as not to create conflict or confusion in thinking that this may be another Order altogether. It can therefore be also worn on its own by any Knight or Dame simply to identify he or she as a Knight or Dame of the Portuguese Royal House although it is always preferrable that members of a particular Dynastic Order, without impediments, use the Insignia of that Order (s) instead.

D. Capes designed for use by “Knights and Dames of the Portuguese Royal House” have no religious purpose and therefore do not constitute religious “Habits” of any nature.

Issued: June 4th, 2013

[Sagittario]

A causa del mio cattivo inglese che non mi consente di interpretare con pienezza i lunghi e già di per se contorti "Chiarimenti" rintracciati ed opportunamente postati poco sopra dal gent.mo Cassinelli, mi trovo costretto a proseguire questa discussione al solo scopo di risolvere il mio quesito iniziale, senza per nulla volere entrare nelle più ampie problematiche ricomprese dai citati chiarimenti.

Richiamando quindi semplicemente l'attenzione all'immagine del diploma da me postata, ritengo quindi doversi dire che trattasi di una certificazione di appartenenza alla Reale Casa Portoghese di Braganza (e con un determinato grado) assegnata a Cavalieri e Dame appartenenti ad Ordini della medesima Reale Casa. Ho capito bene?
In caso affermativo, scusatemi ma non ne capisco proprio il senso.

[Tilius]

ritengo quindi doversi dire che trattasi di una certificazione di appartenenza alla Reale Casa Portoghese di Braganza (e con un determinato grado) assegnata a Cavalieri e Dame appartenenti ad Ordini della medesima Reale Casa. Ho capito bene?

Non ritengo che la condizione di appartenenti ad Ordini della medesima Reale Casa sia condizione necessaria onde poter essere inquadrati nel tipo di conferimento che qui si discute.

[cassinelli]

The Badge of Rank is therefore primarily to be used by those non Catholic or irregular Catholic members of the Dynastic Orders and suspended Catholics with Canonical impediments at functions of said Order and as such cannot be used together with the Insignia of the Order denoting the same rank so as not to create conflict or confusion in thinking that this may be another Order altogether.

In sintesi: è un semplice segno di appartenenza destinato a non Cattolici o Cattolici che sono stati ricevuti negli Ordini della Real Casa ma che adesso sono caratterizzati "da impedimenti canonici" e quindi sono automaticamente esclusi dagli stessi.
Un Cattolico "senza impedimenti" può indossarlo ma mai assieme alle Insegne degli Ordini della Real Casa.

[Tilius]

In sintesi: è un semplice segno di appartenenza destinato a non Cattolici o Cattolici che sono stati ricevuti negli Ordini della Real Casa ma che adesso sono caratterizzati "da impedimenti canonici" e quindi sono automaticamente esclusi dagli stessi.
Un Cattolico "senza impedimenti" può indossarlo ma mai assieme alle Insegne degli Ordini della Real Casa.

Mi permetto di rilevare una contraddizione insita nell'affermazione precedente: se il segno é per gli "impediti" (mi si perdoni il termine), non solo non avrebbe senso che i "non impediti" lo indossassero, ma per essi non dovrebbe proprio esistere tale opzione.

Tale titolo di Cavaliere/Commendatore/Grand'Ufficiale (esistono anche le Gran Croci? sì, rileggendo sopra veggo che sì) della Real Casa Portoghese non deve piuttosto intendersi come una ulteriore distinzione di carattere onorifico, alquanto separata e affatto "indipendente" (ovvero non collegata da particolari vincoli, siano essi di propedeuticità o d'altro genere) dalle altre distinzioni, cavalleresche e non, nel patrimonio odierno della Real Casa Portoghese; distinzione, questa, tornata in auge in tempi recentissimi dopo essere stata lunghissimamente obliata dai tempi remotissimi in cui era in uso (in analogia a quanto avvenuto per l'Ala di San Michele)?

[cassinelli]

Buonasera.

Mi sono basato su quanto scritto dalla Cancelleria della Real Casa:

The Badge of Rank is therefore primarily to be used by those non Catholic or irregular Catholic members of the Dynastic Orders and suspended Catholics with Canonical impediments at functions of said Order and as such cannot be used together with the Insignia of the Order denoting the same rank so as not to create conflict or confusion in thinking that this may be another Order altogether.
It can therefore be also worn on its own by any Knight or Dame simply to identify he or she as a Knight or Dame of the Portuguese Royal House although it is always preferable that members of a particular Dynastic Order, without impediments, use the Insignia of that Order (s) instead.


Mi farebbe piacere iniziare una discussione relativa all'interpretazione del testo da me postato nella sua interezza.

[Tilius]

Anche a me.

Rimango in ogni caso confuso.
Nella lista dei punti di cui sopra si nega valore cavalleresco a tale distinzione.
Eppure i sodali sono nomati cavalieri, commendatori, grand'ufficiali, gran croci.
Nella lista dei punti di cui sopra si nega che esistano le insegne di tale distinzione.
Eppure tali insegne fisicamente esistono.
Nella lista dei punti di cui sopra si nega la valenza di abito chiesastico ai "capi" di vestiario che possano essere predisposti per "cavalieri e dame".
Eppure tali abiti esistono e se ne consente l'uso durante le sacre celebrazioni, eccezion fatta per le processioni.

L'impressione che si ricava da detta lista é, in tutta onestà, che ci si affanni a negare l'evidenza.

La valenza di "sanamento" (il termine é mio) dei casi "non canonici" costituisce il solo punto 22. Ventuno punti precedono, non ricompresi nella specifica casistica del punto 22.

[cassinelli]

Credo che ciò stia a significare che l'essenza cavalleresca non si perde anche in caso di sopravvenire d'impedimenti canonici... si rimane comunque "Cavalieri della Real Casa del Portogallo", così come In passato accadeva per chi rinunciava alla professione:

"If a member of a Religious Monastic (Military or Contemplative) Order decided to retire from the same after some time of active duty, he would simply leave the Order as a “Professed member” and remain a “Knight or Dame of the Portuguese Royal House” but no longer wear the Insignia of that Order in public".

[Tilius]

Conosco appartenenti a questo... nonsonemmenocomedefinirlo... che non hanno impedimenti canonici di sorta (e infatti stanno dentro anche all'Ala Michelina).
Per mia impressione, questa nonsonemmenocomedefinirla* cosa viene conferita come se fosse, ne più ne meno, una distinzione simile al Villa Viçosa o all'Ala Michelina (sì, quest'ultima é una confraternita, ma anche lì si fa largo uso di insegne...). Solamente uno scalino sotto.
Gli impedimenti canonici c'entrano poco (e infatti sono solo l'ultimo punto della lista di cui sopra: una eventualità fra tante). Sempre per quella che é la mia impressione.

Se queste mi impressioni non rispondessero al vero, avrei solo a che rallegrarmene.

* vorrei usare il termine cavalierato , generico, come viene conferito in Inghilterra. Solo che in Inghilterra molto giustamente il cavalierato-e-basta esiste solo in grado singolo (anzi, non ha nemmeno senso parlare di grado, nemmeno singolo). Qui abbiamo cavalieri, commendatori, etc etc etc...