It appeared for the first time on the collar of the Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation, or Ordine Supremo della Santissima Annunziata, the primary dynastic order of the kingdom. This ceased to be a national order when Italy became a republic in 1946. The order remains under the jurisdiction of the head of the House of Savoy, however, as hereditary Sovereign and Grand Master.
Etymology
The meaning of the letters has been a matter of some controversy, to which a number of interpretations have been offered. The motto is believed to be an acronym of:
Foedere et Religione Tenemur (Latin: "Treaty and religion bind us");
Fortitudo Eius Rhodum Tenuit (Latin: "His strength conquered Rhodes" or "By his bravery he held [or occupied] Rhodes"), referring to the victory of Amadeus V, Count of Savoy (1249–1323), who fought in the 1315 siege of Rhodes;
Fortitudo Eius Rempublicam Tenet (Latin: "His bravery [or strength] preserves [or defends] the state"), referencing the same ruler — Amadeus V.
Fides Est Regni Tutela (Latin: "Faith is the protector of [our] Kingdom")
It has also been suggested that the letters are actually the Latin word fert (third-person singular present active indicative of ferre), meaning '[he/she/it] suffers/bears', possibly referring to Jesus bearing the sins of the world.
A French-language parody of FERT was said by Savoy's neighbors to mean Frappez, Entrez, Rompez Tout (French: "Strike, Enter, Break Everything"), from the Savoyard penchant for chevauchée.
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