FERT

{{Short description|Motto of the house of Savoy}}

{{original research|date=August 2024}}

File:Lesser coat of arms of the Kingdom of Italy (1890).svg of the Kingdom of Italy (1890)]]

FERT (sometimes tripled, FERT, FERT, FERT) is the motto of the royal House of Savoy and Kingdom of Italy. The motto{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=byk_DwAAQBAJ&dq=fert+latin+motto&pg=PA428|title=Ut pictura amor: The Reflexive Imagery of Love in Artistic Theory and Practice, 1500-1700|last1=Melion|first1=Walter|last2=Zell|first2=Michael|last3=Woodall|first3=Joanna|date=2017-11-09|publisher=BRILL|isbn=9789004346468|pages=428|language=en}} was adopted by Duke Vittorio Amedeo II (1666–1732).{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LHYIavGtTCkC&dq=fert+savoy&pg=PA230|title=Historic Devices, Badges, and War-cries by Mrs. Bury Palliser|date=1870|publisher=S. Low, Son & Marston|pages=230|language=en}} Several interpretations exist.

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.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mFcMAQAAMAAJ&dq=fert+latin+motto&pg=PA811|title=Encyclopaedia Londinensis; or an universal dictionary of arts, sciences, and literature ...|last=Sussex.)|first=John Wilkes (of Milland House|date=1812|publisher=publisher not identified|pages=811|language=en}} 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.

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:{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fpQlBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA293 |title=Ulwencreutz's The Royal Families in Europe V |last=Ulwencreutz |first=Lars |date=November 2013 |publisher=Lulu.com |isbn=9781304581358 |pages=293 |language=en }}

• {{lang|la|Foedere et Religione Tenemur}} (Latin: "Treaty and religion bind us");
• {{lang|la|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; or either
• {{lang|la|Fortitudo Eius Rempublicam Tenet}} (Latin: "His bravery [or strength] preserves [or defends] the state"); or
• {{lang|la|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 {{wikt-lang|la|fert}} (third-person singular present active indicative of {{lang|la|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 {{lang|fr|Frappez, Entrez, Rompez Tout}} (French: "Strike, Enter, Break Everything"), from their penchant for {{lang|fr|chevauchée}}.