(SOCIETY OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE)
La
Confrérie Amicale de la Toison d'Or is an association of those interested
in the Order of the Golden Fleece, working to preserve its history and further
the aims of the Order in bringing the peoples of mankind together for the common
good. For Duke Phillip it symbolised the union of Flanders and Burgundy and
the rebirth of the central Lotharingian kingdom of Charlemagne's descendants.
The Habsburg heirs of Burgundy continued the union of an empire of many peoples
spanning the world, with the Golden Fleece as the highest reward for piety,
service and loyalty to principles wider than individual gain.
For more details please contact Stephen
Herold, cancelier of the Confrérie.
Complete the application form to join the
Confrérie.
Due to the small volume of credit card payments we no longer can afford
to accept them directly for dues.
Please use the PayPal account specified on the application form or send
a check.
WHAT’S NEW
There is a magnificent Spanish book on the order called La Insigne Orden del Toisón de Oro. This large (c. 12" x 19") leather bound book has some 600 pages of information and color illustrations. It was created with the full cooperation of the chancery of the Order and His Majesty Juan Carlos and is the grandest book ever made on the Gloden Fleece. A selection of sample pages can be seen on the Toison samples page. It is sold out but available from time to time as copies are found. Please contact us if you wish to be on the list for future purchase.
The fine Biennais fleece of the Spanish branch shown at the top of this page was loaned to the History Channel for use by Phillip II in their filming of The Conquest of America. Helping create authentic representations and publications relating to the Order is one of our aims.
Two painting identifications have recently been done by the Confrérie for the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh and a collector in Texas. We attempt to answer all reasonable requests for information and find La Insigne Orden del Toisón de Oro an essential work. Many friends of the Order hope for an Austrian volume some day soon, but it will take a well connected editior and a sponsor.
A bijou was loaned to Middlebury College for their theater production of The Bewitched by Peter Barnes in November, 2005..
In February, 2007 we helped the National Gallery in London to identify the subject of one of their Renaissance paintings as Floris d'Egmont, comte de Bueren (1469-1539), knight no. 124 from 1505.
A spectacular find, pictured above, was made some 40 years ago in Gelderland in the Netherlands of a highest quality golden fleece while some students were having a picnic next to the ruined tower of a castle. Much research shows it is almost certainly one that was made for Floris d'Egmont, Count of Bueren in the early 1500s, as it was found in his home territory. This must be the year of Floris and his important family (see new item above also). We are gathering photos and information and will post a full report soon.
In recent years bijous and other objects associated with the Golden Fleece have become very scarce and are now seldom seen in commerce. I no sooner posted this comment than two appeared: An early 20th century Spanish bijou with sapphire (see link and photo below), and an early 20th century Austrian bijou in a case from Heritage Auction Galleries that just sold for some $5,000 (including buyer’s premium) which is 43% more than the last one I saw sold three years ago. A very bad fake Austrian bijou was recently sold on eBay, one of a series of such fakes coming from a seller in Hungary. Be very careful when considering any of these old orders as fakes are multiplying.
Stephen
Herold - Medals, Orders & DecorationsAn account of the early (Burgundian & Habsburg) history of the order by Guy Stair Sainty with much useful detail. An essential reference. His pages on the Spanish Fleece and the Austrian Fleece are equally good, but his internal navigation links are often old and unreliable.
An illustrated monograph of the solutions to wearing the collar of the order with armor. Based on the Real Armería collection in Madrid that was willed by Philip II to the nation.
The official website of His Majesty Juan Carlos of Spain.
Please send comments or suggestions to:
The Editor
Copyright © La Confrérie Amicale 1996-2008. All rights reserved.
