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 | |
|---|---|
Emblem of the order | |
| Awarded by the President of Portugal | |
| Type | Ancient military order |
| Established | 1459 |
| Country | Portugal |
| Ribbon | Vivid blue |
| Motto | Valor, Lealdade e Mérito (Value, Loyalty and Merit) |
| Eligibility | Portuguese and foreigners; military and civilian |
| Awarded 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 |
| Status | Currently constituted |
| Grand Master | President of the Portuguese Republic |
| Chancellor | Jaime Gama |
| Grades | Grand Collar (GColTE) Grand Cross (GCTE) Grand Officer (GOTE) Commander (ComTE) Officer (OTE) Knight (CvTE) / Dame (DmTE) |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Sash of the Three Orders |
| Next (lower) | Order of Christ |
Insignia of the order Ribbon bar of the order | |
The Military Order of the Tower and of the Sword, of Valour, Loyalty and Merit (Portuguese: Ordem Militar da Torre e Espada, do Valor, Lealdade e Mérito), before 1917 the ancient and most noble order of the Tower and of the Sword, of valour, loyalty and merit (A antiga e muito nobre ordem da Torre e Espada, do valor, lealdade e mérito), is one of the four former ancient Portuguese military orders 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.