NICHOLAS I

saying that “We are fully aware that you are descended from a very old Dutch family, originating in Gelderland. We likewise remember with emotion all the important services which, on several occasions, you have rendered to the Montenegrin People and to Our State. Desiring now to give you a tangible token of Our benevolent Sovereign favour, upon the proposal of Our Minister of the Interior, and in consideration of your merits in the fields of medicine, bacteriology and chemistry, We hereby raise you to the rank of Baron, and declare the Coat of Arms reproduced at the head of Our present Royal Decree to be lawful and properly yours, surmounted by a Baron’s crown and supported by two fully armed knights, each wearing a helmet with the visor raised, each holding a banner bearing the arms of the shield, the said banners fringed with gold and attached to tournament lances gules, tipped with silver. Motto: “Recte faciendo neminem timeas.” (In doing right, fear no one). The title and Coat of Arms hereinabove granted shall be transmissible to all Your legitimate descendants, male and female, in perpetuity, and shall be borne by You and Your descendants as an inviolable right throughout the territory of Our Kingdom and elsewhere, according to Your and Their pleasure. We therefore command all Princes, Archdukes, Dukes, Marquises, Counts and Barons of Montenegro, all civil and military authorities, and all citizens of Our State, to recognise You henceforth as Baron van Bysterveld, to honour You as such, just as from this moment We ourselves recognise and honour You...”, 1 side 21” x 17” on parchment with his printed crest at the head, countersigned by the Minister of the Interior Jovan PLAMENAC (1873-1944, Montenegrin and Yugoslav Politician), Cettinje, 28th January