13. The Order of Saint Maurice: Merger and Modern Legacy
Founded in 1434 by Amadeus VIII, Duke of Savoy, the Order of Saint Maurice was established to honor Saint Maurice, the leader of the Roman Theban Legion. In 1572, Pope Gregory XIII merged the Order of Saint Maurice with the Order of Saint Lazarus, forming the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus under the House of Savoy. This consolidation ended the order’s distinct military role, and it now exists as a dynastic and honorific institution in Italy, maintaining ceremonial significance (en.wikipedia.org).
