(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 as specified on the application form.
WHAT’S NEW
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 some ruins. Much research shows it was owned by a member of the powerful Egmond family in the early to mid 1500s, as it was found in Egmond territory. We have extensively researched it and are gathering photos and information that can be seen on the Aldenhaag Fleece pages. The Drents Museum in the Netherlands has assisted our work and has discovered much important new information, including the location of the find and the original owners of the fleece. The fleece will be on display in a show at the Drents Museum from March 6 to August 15, 2010, with a collection of gold from the ancient Colchis, home of the original Golden Fleece. The show was just extended for two months to August 15 due to its great popularity, drawing some 6,000 visitors a week.
Every year the Drents Museum in Assen has a festival where they show historical costume of the Netherlands, complete with the Golden Fleece for the Renaissance men. This year (2010) it is from 2-9 May. You may see their listing of the Historische Kostuumshow on their Activities Page. One of the participants in this year’s show is seen at the right. He is wearing a reproduction Golden Fleece that seems very similar to the standing ram variety made in this area in the 17th century, but the ribbon should be red.
The famous and essential Insignie Orden book has appeared in one last copy, recently found by the book’s distributor Meijering Art Books (and this name link will take you directly to the ABE Books listing). The euro is weak now and the price reflects that. Michael of Meijering Art Books told me he would be very agreeable with any Confrérie member who wished it, but that there are now no more new copies after this one sells. Samples of the book can be seen at our Insignie Orden page.
¶ Other things the Confrérie has done can be seen at the Recent Activities page.
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.
A review and some sample pages and art from this magnificent reference book.
The official website of His Majesty Juan Carlos of Spain.
Please send comments or suggestions to:
The Editor
Copyright © La Confrérie Amicale 1996-2010. All rights reserved.
