[MR] Wikipedia: Order of St. Michael

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble friends,

On this date in 1469 the French *Ordre de Saint Michael* (English: Order of
Saint Michael) was founded by Louis XI.

Louis XI saw the order as a way to cement the loyalty of his Dukes and
senior knights, and was a counter to the very prestigious *Ordre de la
Toison d'Or* (English: Order of the Golden Fleece), founded by his
arch-rival Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy. Philip started the Golden
Fleece when he was forced to turn down an offer of the English Order of the
Garter due to his feudal obligations to the King of France Charles VII
(acceptance could have been considered treason).

The Order of Saint Michael was later awarded to various non-French rulers
and nobles, often to cement alliances. Quite a few Scots received the award
in the 16th century, reflecting the blatant French anti-English meddling in
Scottish politics of that time.

The Order of Saint Michael was dissolved during the French revolution,
revived during the Bourbon restoration, and finally shut down in 1830. Its
chief rival, the Golden Fleece became associated with the House of Habsburg
and is still in business, now divided into independent Spanish and Austrian
lineages.

More about the Order of Saint Michael is at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_Saint_Michael .

A page discussing the Order of the Golden Fleece is at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_the_Golden_Fleece .

Yours Aye,

Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆
Continuing a crusade to keep the original Merry Rose relevant and in
business.