Military Order of the Tower and Sword

Military Order of the Tower and of the Sword, of Valour, Loyalty and Merit
Ordem Militar da Torre e Espada, do Valor, Lealdade e Mérito
Badge, collar and star of the order
Awarded by Portuguese Republic
TypeOrder
Established1459; 565 years ago (1459)
MottoVALOR, LEALDADE E MÉRITO
EligibilityPortuguese and foreigners; military and civilian
Awarded forAwarded for exceptional and outstanding merits in the highest offices in Parliament, Government, courts of justice or in the presidency of the Republic or in the command of troops in campaign; for military or civic deeds of heroism and to reward outstanding acts of abnegation and sacrifice for Portugal or mankind
StatusCurrently constituted
Grand MasterPresident of the Portuguese Republic
ChancellorJaime Gama
GradesGrand Collar
Grand Cross
Grand Officer
Commander
Officer
Knight
Precedence
Next (higher)Sash of the Two Orders
Next (lower)Order of Christ

Ribbon bar of the Order of the Tower and Sword

The Ancient and Most Noble Military Order of the Tower and of the Sword, of the Valour, Loyalty and Merit (Portuguese: Antiga e Muito Nobre Ordem Militar da Torre e Espada, do Valor, Lealdade e Mérito), before 1910 Royal Military Order of the Tower and Sword (Real Ordem Militar da Torre e Espada), is a Portuguese order of knighthood and the pinnacle of the Portuguese honours system. It was created by King Afonso V in 1459. The order may be bestowed on people or on Portuguese municipalities.