It so happened that, since the Middle Ages, all European orders were classed and were intended only for those who had a noble origin. And for commoners, as we know at that time, there were quite different associations and awards, which once again tells us about the then existing social inequality.
A similar situation was in France, where immediately after the beginning of the Great French Revolution, the estate that came to power in the country, first canceled royal rewards considering that rewarding them is a direct manifestation of inequality between French citizens. In 1790 in Paris there was even a protest movement against awarding the medal to those who participated in the storming of the Bastille.
At the initiative of Napoleon Bonaparte
But soon, after the advent of Napoleon Bonaparte, the attitude towards rewards changed. At that time, the future Emperor of France, who held the post of First Consul, as a military man, was perfectly aware that for the settlement of the situation it was necessary to create a unification that would preserve the ideological tie of rewards and corresponded to the principle of equality of citizens expressed in the republican slogan "Freedom, Equality, Brotherhood".
The basis of this idea was that there should be a reward that could be awarded to all, regardless of gender and origin, social status and even citizenship. And on May 19, 1802, by an insignificant majority of votes, a law was passed on the creation of the Honorary Legion, the motto of which was the words "HONNEUR ET PATRIE", which means "Honor and Fatherland".
Decret of May 19, 1802 on the creation of the Legion of Honor
Two years later, Napoleon became the emperor of France, so that any soldier or officer who could distinguish himself in battle could fall into the ranks of the Legion of Honor. The process of enrolling in the Legion of Honor, awarding or appointing a post corresponding to combat merit took place personally on behalf of the emperor, who was rightly considered Grand Master.
The award badge of the order was a five-beam silver (the degree of a knight) or a gold (other degrees) star with bifurcated rays, covered with white enamel. And the star itself was superimposed on a wreath of laurel and oak leaves covered with green enamel.
Badge of the Order of the Legion of Honor
In the center of the sign was a gold medallion with the image of the emperor (obverse), and an eagle (reverse). And the gold medallion was surrounded by a blue enamel ring with the inscription << NAPOLEON E.M.P. DES FRANCIAS >> (obverse) and the motto of the order << HONEUR ET PATRIE >> (reverse). On the reverse of the blue enamel end, the five-pointed asterisk and the date of its establishment, << 29 FLOREALAN X >>, also stood at the bottom.
Reward marks and hierarchy of the Legion of Honor
A rank-and-file member was called a legionnaire, then came an officer, a major and a top officer. The Order was led by the Grand Administrative Council, which included only senior officers. And at the head of this council was Napoleon himself. All posts in the order were distributed personally by Bonaparte. Higher officers and majors had a salary of 1 to 5 thousand francs.
However, at present, the Order of the Legion of Honor has three degrees: "Cavalier", "Officer", "Commander" and two dignities: "High Officer" and "Cavalier of the Great Cross."
Degrees of rewards from the Chevalier to the Chevalier of the Great Cross
At the head of the order is usually the Grand Master (President of the Republic), receiving on the day of taking office the badge of the cross and chain of the order. The gold chain of the order consists of sixteen links, which are rectangular medallions, on which are placed the symbols of the arms of the armies and spheres of the economy. The medal badge is fastened to the chain with the help of a detail in the form of a monogram "HP".
Chain of the Grand Master of the Order
The President of the Republic by his decree appoints the Grand Chancellor of the Order of the Legion of Honor from among the Knights of the Grand Cross for a period of six years. The Grand Chancellor, in turn, heads the Council of the Order, collects presentations for awarding and passes them to the Council of the Order, presents lists of candidates for the award to the President of the Republic.
The Council of the Order is appointed by the Grand Master on the recommendation of the Grand Chancellor and consists of sixteen members: fourteen - in the rank of commander and above, an officer and a gentleman. The Council considers the submission for awarding various degrees of the order, selects candidates and submits them for approval by the Grand Chancellor.
The number of awarded each degree is regulated, however, there are no restrictions for rewarding for military differences. Receiving the next degree of the order by a person who does not have the previous one is not allowed. An exception is made only in the case of the newly elected president.
The Order of the Honorary Legion was awarded not only to military, but also to civilians and foreigners. Among the list of awarded there are many Russian compatriots. Among them are: emperor Alexander I, chancellor Nesselrode and marshal Georgy Zhukov. And in 2006 the highest award of France was awarded to the President of the Russian Federation - Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin.