The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Swan, Order of the

SWAN, Order of the, an order of knighthood created in 1440 by the Elector Frederick II of Brandenburg. Its headquarters were in a monastery on a hill near Brandenburg and in Ansbach. It was composed of members of the nobility and its object was to encourage more enthusiastic homage to the Virgin Mary, and perseverance in works of mercy. The order was abolished at the time of the Reformation, but was revived by Frederick William IV of Prussia 24 Dec. 1843 in the form of a free association of men and women of all ranks and creeds for the purpose of alleviating the moral and physical misery of others. Consult Hanle, ‘Urkunde und Nachweise zur Geschichte des Schwanenordens’ (1874).