Regno delle Due Sicilie

The Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, commonly known as the Two Sicilies, was the largest and wealthiest of the Italian states before Italian unification. It lasted until 1860, when it was annexed (although several current historians would say invaded) by the Principality of Piedmont (officially known as Kingdom of Sardinia), which changed its name to the Kingdom of Italy in 1861. The kingdom of the Two Sicilies had its capital in Naples and was commonly referred to in English as the Kingdom of Naples. The kingdom extended over the southern part of mainland Italy and the island of Sicily. It united two older kingdoms which shared some common history; the Kingdom of Naples, consisting of the southern part of the Italian Peninsula, and the Kingdom of Sicily on the island of Sicily.

The arms of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies surrounded by the collar of the Order of Saint Januarius, the premier decoration of the Kingdom.

The Illustrious Royal Order of Saint Januarius (Reale Ordine di San Gennaro) is an order of knighthood bestowed by the head of the Royal House of Bourbon of the Two Sicilies. It was the last great dynastic collar order to be constituted as a chivalric fraternity, with a limitation to Roman Catholics, and a direct attachment to the dynasty rather than the state. The order continues to be bestowed today by the Head of the Royal House of Bourbon of the Two Sicilies. The founder of the Order, Charles VII of Naples, who ruled from 1734 until 1759, was the first reigning monarch to reside in this kingdom since 1502. As a young monarch, Charles was considerably influenced by his father Philip V of Spain, who had proved a capable if erratic ruler, not only bringing peace to his kingdom but ultimately re-establishing Spanish influence in Italy. Although the Order’s foundation had been planned for some time, the young king’s marriage to Maria Amalia of Saxony provided a suitable opportunity. Its statutes and foundation both date to 3 July 1738 and the first promotions to the Order were announced three days later. These statutes limited membership of the Order to sixty Roman Catholicnoblemen, although non-Catholics have been admitted by successive Grand Masters in exceptional cases and the total complement of the Order has exceeded sixty on several occasions. As an Order of the collar and the highest Order of the Kingdom, it was intended to equal in rank that of the Golden Fleece, awarded by Charles’ father in Spain, and that of the Holy Spirit, given by his cousin in France. Indeed, it was frequent practice for the princes of each branch of the House to receive all three Orders. As they had discussed in their correspondence, King Charles reserved for his father the right to appoint up to six knights, emphasising the unity of the House of Bourbon.

http://www.bourbon-two-sicilies.org/english/januarius_history.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_the_Two_Sicilies

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