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The Military Order of St. Henry is the oldest German military decoration. It was Saxony's highest bravery award until 1918.

Elector Friedrich August the Second of Saxony had established it on the 7th of October 1736 on the occasion of his 40th birthday. The order was named after Emperor Henry the Second from the ancient Saxon Liudolfing dynasty, who was canonised in 1046. According to the statute of 1736, the order initially came in two, and later in three classes. In 1829 King Anton of Saxony established the division of the Military Order of St. Henry into four classes: the Grand Cross, the Commander's Cross first and second class, and the Knight's Cross. He also added the Medal of Military Merit in gold and silver, established in 1796, as a 5th class.

The badge of the order was changed several times after it was established. The Grand Cross on display here is from the period following the final re-design in 1806, when Friedrich August the First was proclaimed King of Saxony. The badge consists of an eight-pointed cross (or Maltese cross) surmounted by a hoop crown. The medallion is surrounded by a lozenge ring and includes an image of Henry the Second, after whom the order is named. The circumscription names King Friedrich August the First as the monarch who renewed the order. 

All the crosses of the Military Order of St. Henry were worn on a pale blue ribbon with lemon yellow edging. The Grand Cross was worn on a sash over the shoulder, the two Commander's Crosses were displayed on a neck band, and the Knight's Cross and merit medals were worn on the breast.