Order of the White Rose

The Imperial Order of the White Rose is an of Vanivere established in February of 1892. The highest order to be awarded to ordinary citizens of the Empire, the Order of the White Rose consists of three divisions: military, civilian, and maritime. Despite its name, the maritime division can only be awarded to personnel of the merchant fleet, while naval personnel are awarded the military division of the Order. Since its creation, the Order of the White Rose has been awarded at the pleasure of the Vaniveran monarch, though all monarchs thus far have only awarded those who have rightfully deserved recognition.

Named for the legendary White Rose Revolution during the reign of Emperor Henri II, the Order was established to commemorate the services of the Vaniveran populace against the tyrranical rule of the Emperor. Now awarded to mainly those who have shown deeds for the betterment of society, the Order of the White Rose has become the highest chivalric order within the Vaniveran Empire besides the Order of Saint Michael, which can only be awarded to those of royal blood.

History
The Order of the White Rose was established directly following the abdication of Emperor Henri II of Vanivere. Under Henri II, the Vaniveran Empire became a benevolent dictatorship with all authority invested in the Emperor. This was made possible by the Emperor when, in 1890, he discovered a loophole in the Imperial Constitution of Vanivere. As the authors of the constitution had not specified when an emperor could dissolve the legislative assembly, Emperor Henri II called this mistake and immediately disbanded the Parliament of Vanivere.

Ruling over the Vaniveran Empire with an iron fist for the next two years, Henri II increased his power by also dismissing the Imperial Chancellor. During this time, a rebel faction led by several former politicians of the legislature arose. Quickly gathering supporters in the southern provinces of the Empire, the so-called "White Rose Parliament" began to build a civilian army to fight against the Emperor. After receiving the news of the rebellion in the southern provinces, Emperor Henri II declared martial law over the entire Empire "until the time where the rebels are put down and peace is restored to the Empire".

So, on August 16, 1891, the civilian provincial governments were "temporarily" disbanded by the Imperial Army. Around this same time, the White Rose Parliament's own army, known as the White Rose Guard, began their march to Paris. With each town the White Rose Guard entered, the more supporters it gained in the northern provinces. By the time they reached the imperial capital, Emperor Henri II had already fled from the city to Brussels. With their easy victory in the capture of the imperial city, the White Rose Parliament moved its headquarters from La Rochelle to Paris. Upon their arrival in the capital, the White Rose Guard once again began their march to capture Henri II.

With the approach of the White Rose to Brussels, Emperor Henri II ordered his Imperial Army to crush the rebellion once they reached the city of, Belgium. And so, with the White Rose Guard's entrance into the small Belgian city, they were attacked by the Emperor's Imperial Army (called the Black Thorn Guard by some texts). In the ensuing Battle of Braine-le-Château, or Battle of Roses and Thorns, the White Rose Guard dealed a devastating blow to the Black Thorn Guard. Force to retreat, the Emperor's Army fled back to Brussels to protect the Imperial Family. But by this time, the White Rose Guard had already won. As the battle was raging on south of Brussels, a small team of White Rose Guards had entered the city and stormed the Royal Palace of Brussels. There, the White Rose forced Emperor Henri II to abdicate in favor of his nephew, Alexandre Bonaparte-Capet.

And with Henri II's abdication from the Vaniveran throne, the Constitution of Vanivere was revised and the Parliament of Vanivere was reinstalled. The position of Chancellor of Vanivere was also reinstated, along with the civilian governments of the constituent provinces. Another result of Emperor Henri II's abdication was the rise of the House of Bonaparte-Capet, for prior to Alexandre I, the Vaniveran Imperial Family had been purely of the.

Grand Cross

 * , May 6, 1946 - Former Leader of the during ; awarded for his bravery and leadership of the Imperial Government-in-Exile
 * Madeleine I of Vanivere, January 20, 2007 - Former Empress of Vanivere; awarded, with strong public support, for her reign as Empress of Vanivere

Grand Officer

 * Jeffrey Forrester, November 1, 2006 - Current Chancellor of Vanivere; awarded for his stand in Parliament against the creation of the Imperial Secret Police
 * , November 2, 2009 - Former Chancellor of Vanivere; awarded for his excellent service during his two terms as Chancellor and for his strong patriotism

Commander

 * Pierre-Gaspar de Citron, Nov. 23, 2009 - Retired Commodore in the Calvinist Marine nationale; commanded the Calvinist battleship Flotilla during the Karma War; awarded through the military division

Officer

 * Joseph de Chambéry, June 1, 2008 - Former Prince consort of Vanivere; awarded for his service as Vaniveran Ambassador to

Knight/Dame

 * Jean-Charles de Annecy, April 3, 1998 - Former Minster of State; awarded for his help to bring down the Davenor Scandal, led by Marie Davenor