Order of the Holy Spirit
The Order of the Holy Spirit ( French Ordre du Saint -Esprit ) was the foremost order of knighthood of France and one of the most respected in Europe.
Founded in 1353, the Order of Louis of Anjou, also known as Louis of Naples. The Order is received in the literature as the Order of Knights " del nodo " as nodes Order.
It was in December 1578 by Henry III. reorganized in the Holy Spirit for the benefits to you, who are have fallen to him in three days of Pentecost, by coming at Pentecost 1551 to the world, king of Poland in 1573 and 1574 became King of France.
In addition to the Grand Master, who was always the king himself, there were three religious categories:
- The eight commanders ( commanders ) ( first divided into four cardinals and four archbishops, bishops or prelates, bishops or prelates later then eight without special distinction ) and the Grand Almoner of France ( Grand AUMONIER de France), who was born commander.
- The four commanding officers ( Officers Commandeurs ), which are the Chancellor and Keeper of the Seals ( Chancelier et Garde des Sceaux ), the master of ceremonies ( Prévôt et Maître the Cérémonies ), the treasurer ( Grand Trésorier ) and the secretary ( registrar ), were of the officers support; ( director, genealogist, prison officer, historian, etc. Officers ).
- 100 Knights ( Chevaliers )
The heir to the throne (Dauphin ) and the children of the King ( Enfants de France) were knights by birth, but only from the age of 12, princes of the blood from the 16th and foreign princes from the age of 25. All other members had to be at least 35 years old. In addition, the enrollee had to be Catholic and noble in four generations. The last condition was not for the Grand AUMONIER de France, the treasurer and the secretary.
The religious character was a golden, white enamelled cross with eight buttons and lilies in the four corners. The obverse of the green enameled shield means a silver dove symbolizing the Holy Spirit, depicted on the reverse of the holy Michael.
The motto was " Duce et auspice " ( under guidance and direction, also in the plural: " ducibus et auspicibus "). The order was to wide sky blue band ( le cordon bleu therefore ) worn across shoulder and chest, also a silver star, similar to the obverse of the cross on the chest; 1824 also with green central shield. The clergy wore it around your neck. The Order flourished until the French Revolution. The National Convention picked it up, and also Napoleon I not restored him.
It was not until Louis XVIII. built it in 1814. With the July Revolution of 1830, he went under for good.