Order of the Porcupine
The Order of the Porcupine ( French Ordre du Porc-Épic , Ordre du Camail ) was a secular French knightly order .
The order was founded in 1394 by Ludwig von Valois, Duke of Orléans on the occasion of the birth of his first son Karl . The order was single class and limited to 25 people (including the duke) who had to belong to the nobility for at least four generations. In 1438 Ludwig's son Karl is said to have awarded the order to two women. The motto of the order was "Cominus et eminus" (roughly: "From near and far") and is interpreted as an expression of defenselessness, according to the idea that the porcupine is protected by its spines not only in close combat, but also against distant opponents could shoot.
When the son of Karl Ludwig von Valois in 1498 as Ludwig XII. ascended the throne of France, he renewed the order by bestowing it on some of his followers. In the 16th century the order was extinguished.
Order decoration
A golden porcupine hung on a golden chain. Below was the motto "Cominus et eminus". A gem with the image of a porcupine was cut into a ring with a precious stone . A costume was worn for the order . The coat was made of velvet and its color was purple. The matching cloak was made of ermine fur .
literature
- General Encyclopedia of Sciences and Arts, by Johann Samuelansch, IGGruber. Leipzig 1834,
- Universal encyclopedia of the present and past or the latest encyclopedic dictionary of the sciences, arts and crafts, from HAPierer. Altenburg 1845
