Order of Ermine (France)
The ermine medal was an order of knights , who in 1381 from Brittany Duke John V was donated. After Brittany was incorporated into the Kingdom of France (16th century), it was referred to as the Ordre de l 'Hermine or l' Ordre de A ma vie ; later he sank into insignificance. He was the only knightly order to allow women to become members, who were then referred to as Chevalières .
symbolism
In a Breton legend (see web link) it is said that an ermine would rather die than make its white winter fur dirty in the mud. A similar legend forms the background for the motto "malo mori quam foedari" ("rather die than be defiled") of the Neapolitan order of ermines . Where and when the legend originated is unknown, but in large parts of medieval Europe the white ermine fur was a symbol of - moral - purity and innocence.
Due to the fact that only high secular and ecclesiastical dignitaries could afford a precious ermine coat, such a coat became an insignium of power as early as the end of the Middle Ages, but above all in the time of absolutism ( Louis XIV. ).
Order decoration
The sign of the order consisted of a collar, which consisted of two chains in the shape of a ring. Both rings were provided with two crowns and connected. A crown of it hung on the ring on the chest. A second crown was positioned on the nape of the neck. Each of the eight-membered chains had border between the members stoats . On the sides, distinguishable by the two crowns, the ermine body was wrapped with a band. The motto “A ma vie” was enamelled alternately in black and white letters on the tape .
An ermine with the motto of the order hung on two chains from the crown on the chest. A rank-dependent chain of orders, gold or gold-plated silver chain of orders, was issued by the duke . The Duke himself wore an order necklace set with precious stones and pearls.
revival
In 1972 in Vannes, at a meeting of the Institut Culturel de Bretagne , it was decided to revive the Order. Since then, several people have been honored with membership of the order every year; however, the chain of orders has been redesigned.
See also
literature
- Economic encyclopedia by JG Krünitz, 1773–1858