Order of the Iron Crown
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The Imperial Order of the Iron Crown was established June 5 1805 by Napoleon Bonaparte (under his title of King Napoleon I of Italy). It originally consisted of three classes of Knights 20, 30 and 50 knights strong, respectively. In 1815, the order was adopted by Austria after regaining control of Northern Italy. Re-established on January 1 1816 by Emperor Franz I of Austria, it became known as the Order of the Iron Crown (Orden der Eisernen-Krone) and was awarded in three grades to noblemen.