Under this designation are traditionally grouped, the former military religious orders founded in the Middle Age and an order of chivalry «revived» in 1808:
- Order of the Tower and Sword, Valour, Loyalty and Merit (originally founded in 1808 as an order of chivalry and reformed in 1832 as an order of merit, and reestablished in 1918)
- Order of Christ (founded in 1319, reformed in 1789 and reestablished in 1918)
- Order of Avis (founded circa 1179, reformed in 1789 and in 1894 and reestablished in 1918)
- Order of St. James of the Sword (founded in 1174, reformed in 1789, 1862 and reestablished in 1918)
