Free SHIPPING!!! Grand Duke Ludwig II of Hesse and by Rhine Founder of the Order of Merit "Philip the Magnanimous" The "Soldier Grand Duke", as Ludwig II (1777 - † 1848) was also called, was a great patron and supporter of the Hessian armies. He had many barracks built, which still characterize the cityscape of Darmstadt today. The medallion shows a bust of Philip the Magnanimous facing left. This Landgrave of Hesse lived from 1504 to 1567 and was involved in the successful suppression of the Knights' Revolt and the Peasants' War in Hesse and Thuringia. Since the Diet of Worms in 1521, he was devoted to the Reformation and soon became one of its leaders. The motto "SI DEUS NOBISCUM QUIS CONTRA NOS" means: If God is with us - who can be against us? In 1849, the crossed golden swords were introduced on the Grand Cross. GODE FASCINATION OF COLLECTING Careful Packing and Shipping from JMEDALS -Lithuania Good luck!