Cavaliere
““Società Cavalieri d’Italia” The Cavalier Society of Italy” : and : “Il Cavaliere” as we know , is formed by those who have received a Decoration from the Italian Government , that is Cavaliere; Cav.Ufficiale; Commendatore; Grand’Ufficiale; Cav.di Gran Croce; and any other decoration bestowed by the by the President of the Republic of Italy or by the Holy See , etc. –
Now what exactly is a Cavaliere ?
The word Cavaliere comes from the word “cavallo” (horse), like the French “Chevalier” from (cheval) , and it means a man who goes on horseback. In times gone by , a Cavaliere who was at a meeting , or at an Inn , or not on his horse at the moment , would have his horse waiting outside , with his bridles tied to one of those iron rings , which you still see on the walls outside of the old European buildings , in Rome; Milan; Florence; Naples, especially outside of the old Palazzi .
In fact in the old medieval times there were no means of transport, and all people had to go on foot, except those who were rich and noble. These always went on horseback, followed by one or more equerries and servant torch bearers. Especially in times of war, when the Cavalieri formed the cavalry, while all the rest of the troops went on foot and were just infantry. It was always the cavalry that decided the battles, and won the victories. Thus the first origin of the Cavalieri was a very noble one.
The Cavalieri , the Knights as they were called in English, formed the aristocracy in the olden days ; they were considered “Senza Macchia e senza paura” ; which can be translated : “The Best and the Bravest” . In fact they were the best both physically (strength, good health, and good looks) and naturally of strong moral fiber. A Cavaliere always had a great sense of honor, and could not conceive doing anything wrong or disloyal ; they were always ready to risk their lives in the defense of the feeble or for the sake of a good cause . They also had the best manners, dressed in the best way; in one word , they were one hundred percent Gentlemen . To be a Cavaliere really meant being the best in a community, and therefore they enjoyed a tremendous personal prestige. It was a great honor to be a Cavaliere, and they were proud of it.
The same principles apply to the Cavalieri even today. Thus in a community the Cavalieri should always be the best.
As to the origin of the Cavalieri, and how the Cavalieri started we must go back in time, and specifically in the year: ( 313 – A.D. ) . There was a civil war abrew in the Roman Empire between Constantine and Massenzio , who both claimed their right to the throne as Emperor of Rome .
In those days, as we know, the Roman Empire was pagan and cruelly persecuted Christians, whose religion was rapidly spreading among the people. Constantine, who was also a pagan, but whose mother Helen was secretly a Christian and later became famous as Saint Helen, marched against his rival for the final battle. Suddenly to him appeared in the sky a Cross of fire, under which was written in letters of fire: “In Hoc Signo Vinces” , and as a result he was very much impressed . So at least goes the legend! Fact is that he won the battle, his rival Massenzio was slain, and he entered Rome in triumph. Shortly afterwards he became a Christian, and ordered that all persecutions should cease. Later on, in that same year (313), he ordered that the Christian Religion should be free, and practically from that day the Roman Empire became Christian. He gave his mother Helen the title of Empress; and in (326) she went to Jerusalem to pray on the Holy Sepulcher, over which she ordered built the great Church which we still see there today.
From the year 395 with the splitting of the Roman Empire, the Western whose capital was Rome and the Eastern capital Constantinople. The empire of the West lasted until the year 476, when the last Roman Emperor, “Romolo Augustolo” was deposed.
There followed the barbaric invasions from the North and East Europe. The so called “Secoli Bui” (dark centuries) , when all that was Roman and civilized was destroyed , until the year 800 , the great French King Charlemagne rebuilt the Empire , proclaiming himself Emperor, and starting the political system of Feudalism.
From then, a new historic era started for the people of Western Europe and for Western Civilization, which started to flourish once again. The people lived in an atmosphere of ardent Christianity, of ardent faith, and in Italy many cities were governed by the Bishops. In such a mystic atmosphere, many were those who, braving great dangers and discomforts of all kind, went as pilgrims, were hence tortured and assassinated by the Moslems. The news of these horrible facts, increasing all the time, created in Western Europe a great excitement and resentment against the Moslems.
As a result a big international army was formed under the leadership of the famous Belgian Lord: “Goffredo di Buglione”. This army departed, and after all kinds of adventures, in the year 1099 succeeded in liberating Jerusalem, thus the beginning of one of the greatest Italian Poems: “La Gerusalemme Liberata” by Torquato Tasso.
It is in this First Crusade that the first Equestrian Orders were founded as Associations which were both religious and military, and whose members were mostly nobles, were voluntarily dedicated to the liberation of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, and thence to its protection and defense, as well as dedicated to the protection of all Christians living in the Holy Land , and of all pilgrims going to the Holy Land .
So the first real Cavalieri belonging to an Order were Crusaders and their badge was a Cross!
They were also dedicated in taking care of the sick and the poor, and of those wounded in military expeditions in the Holy Land, as well as to the search and liberation of all Christians who , for one reason or other , had fallen in the hands and become slaves of the moslems, who used to enjoy torturing the Christians .
Several were those Equestrian Orders (the word equestrian comes from the Latin word “equus” (horse) ; and their members were al Cavalieri ) . The most famous orders became the order of the Hospital of St. John in Jerusalem, and they were called Cavalieri Gerosolitani ; and the Order of the Templari , so called because their headquarters in Jerusalem were in a house which was supposed to have been built over the ruins of the Old Temple of King Solomon. These orders were recognized in Europe, as well as by all the big Feudal Lords, who all gave them large donations . The Popes gave them also great spiritual privileges and blessings as well. After the attack upon the Cavalieri di Rodi in the year 1522 by the Sultan Soliman who finally succeeded in occupying Cyprus and Rhodes , the order of the Gerosolitani transferred to the nearby Island of Crete , until in 1530 when the Emperor Charles 5th gave them the feudal sovereignty of the Island of Malta , which still exists today.
After Napoleon drove them away from Malta in 1798 , they transferred themselves to Rome, where they now have their headquarters . The Order is still recognized as a Sovereign Order, has its own Ambassadors, and still enjoys tremendous prestige , doing a wonderful job in the field of public international assistance and charity.
All the other Equestrian Orders which went back to Europe and were not disbanded, by and by became Official Orders of the different countries whose Sovereigns became their Grand Masters. The dignity and titles of these Orders became a reward for special merits acquired in the fields of Culture, Science and the Arts. The Cavalieri were those who were always closest to the Sovereign, especially on the battle field; they were the bravest, the best , always ready to risk their lives for King and Country, and for the welfare of the people.
Prior to the last World War , In Italy there were several Royal Equestrian Orders, such as l’Ordine della Santissima Annunziata ; l’Ordine di San Maurizio e Lazzaro ; l’Ordine della Stella Coloniale ; and the more popular “ Order of the Crown of Italy “. Its colors were White and Red, the old colors of the House of Savoy.
When in 1946 Italy became a Republic, all Royal Orders were abolished, and the order Crown of Italy became the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, such as it is today.
After the war, many were the Italians living abroad, and the citizens of foreign countries, who expressed their friendship and love to Italy , and generously contributed to help Italy get on its feet from the tremendous disasters of the war. Many of these deserved an official recognition, and it was important that it could be conferred without having to go trough too much red tape, such as is the case of the Order “Merit of the Italian Republic”. So the Government decided to institute the “Star of Italian Solidarity” to be conferred on those living abroad who have proven their special solidarity to Italy. Thus there are two Orders:
Five are the decorations in the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: Cavaliere ; Cavaliere Ufficiale; Commendatore; Grande Ufficiale; e Cavaliere di Gran’ Croce.
As a result we see that from bravely fighting for the Christian religion, for the liberation of the Holy Land, for the protection of the Pilgrims, and for the care of the sick and the poor, through the centuries the title of Cavaliere has become a civic dignity, and a Cavaliere today no longer goes on horseback but is usually seen in a luxurious automobile
Nevertheless, what remains and is essential is that, to be a Cavaliere, means to be someone in the Community who is outstanding for his personality, his moral qualities, his daily activities , and should portray that of being better than the rest by virtue of his or her kindness and altruistic deeds . It is also expected from said Cavaliere that he / she give an active contribution to the welfare of the Country, and to the ever bettering of international relations, and especially in our case to the ever further strengthening of friendship between Italy and the United States of America .
Research & outline by: Comm. Dott. Claudio C. Cifoni