MEXICO

The Iturbide Dynasty

ORDERS & DECORATIONS (PART I)

The Imperial Order of Guadalupe, Knight Grand Cross - collar and collar badge (above),  sash badge (L) and breast star (C); Knight - breast badge (R).

The Imperial Order of Guadalupe (Imperial Orden de Guadalupe): founded 9th November 1821 by the Emperor Agustín I when First Regent and President of the Council of Regency (statutes published on 20th February 1822). The order served as the supreme reward for prestigious and distinguished services to the state. Awarded in a superior class (Grand Cross-Gran Cruce – restricte to senior members of the Imperial Family and very senior clerics) and three ordinary classes (1. Knights Grand Cross-Caballero de la Gran Cruce with the style of The Most Excellent Senor-Los Exmo Señor and limited to 50 recipients at any one time, 2. Knights by Number-Caballero de Numero with the style of Señor and limited to 100, and 3. Knights Supernumerary-Caballero de Supernumerario with the style of Señor and unlimited in number). Obsolete 1823. Revived on 19th November 1853 by H.S.H. The Most Excellent Señor Don Antonio López de Santa Anna as the National and Distinguished Mexican Order of Guadalupe (Nacional y Distinguida Orden Mexicana de Guadalupe) in three classes (1. Grand Cross-Gran Cruce with the style of Senor and His Excellency, 2. Commander-Comendador with the style of Señor, and 3. Knight-Caballero with the style of Señor). The order fell into disuse again on his final deposition in August 1855. Revived under the Second Empire in 1863. 

The Mexican Cross of Independence - badge obverse (L) and reverse (R).

The The Mexican Cross of Independence (Cruz de la Independencia Mexicana): instituted by Emperor Augustin I in May 1822 to recognise the services of officers of the Army of the Three Guarantees during first epoch of the struggle for independence from Spain during the period 24th February to 15th June 1821. Awarded in two classes (1. First Class to general officers and senior commanders and 2. Second Class to junior officers).  

First row, left to right - Mexican Cross of Independence, Tepeaca Cross, Cordova Star, and Toluca Cross.

Second row, left to right - Azcapotzalco Cross, Juchi Cross and Cross of Veracruz.

The Tepeaca Cross (Crucero de Tepeaca): instituted by Emperor Agustín I in May 1822 to recognise the services of the officers and men who served with distinction during the defence of Tepeaca under General Herrera 20th-21st April 1821.
The Cordova Star (Estrella de Córdoba): instituted by Emperor Agustín I in May 1822 to recognise the services of the officers and men of the 9th Division of the Ejército Trigarante in the actions against the Spanish forces at Córdoba 16th to 21st May 1821, which led to the agreement with the Spanish Captain-General O’Donoju and his acceptance of the Plan of Iguala.
The Toluca Cross (Cruz de Toluca): instituted by Emperor Agustín I in May 1822 to recognise the services of those who served with courage at the decisive battle on the outskirts of the City of Toluca on 19th June 1821 between the Army of the Three Guarantees, led by Iturbide, against the Spanish colonial forces.
The Azcapotzalco Cross (Cruz de Azcapotzalco): instituted by Emperor Agustín I in May 1822 to recognise the services of officers and men for services at the decisive Battle of Azcapotzalco on 19th August 1821, when General Anastasio Bustamante defeated the Spanish Royalist forces under General Concha. Awarded in three classes.
The Juchi Cross (Crucero de Juchi): instituted by Emperor Agustín I in May 1822 to recognise the services of officers and men who took part in suppressing the uprising by the Spanish forces led by Colonel Francisco Buceli at Juchi on 2nd April 1822.Medalla de los Libertadores de México.  

The Independence Medal - Epoch I in silver (L) and bronze (C), and Epoch II in silver (R).

 
The Independence Medal (Epoch I): instituted by Emperor Agustín I in May 1822 to recognise the services of non-commissioned officers and other ranks of the Army of the Three Guarantees during first epoch of the struggle for independence from Spain during the period 24th February to 15th June 1821. Awarded in two grades (1. Silver and 2. Bronze).
The Independence Medal (Epoch II): instituted by Emperor Agustín I in May 1822 to recognise the services of non-commissioned officers and other ranks of the Army of the Three Guarantees during the second and final epoch of the struggle for independence from 16th June to 2nd September 1821. Awarded in two grades (1. Silver and 2. Bronze).
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The Iturbide Coronation Medal - second grade in silver, obverse (L) and reverse (R).

Iturbide Coronation Medal: instituted by Emperor Agustín I to commemorate his assumption of power on 21st May 1822 and his Coronation on 21st July 1822. Awarded the three grades (gold, silver and bronze).
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PART II ITURBIDE HABSBURG MAIN
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Copyright©Christopher Buyers, August 2000 - February 2009