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CHAP. IX.
Of the Orders of Knighthood in France.
THE Orders of Knighthood were always used as honourable recompenses, and marks of the Kings favour to such as had signalized their service to their Prince and the State: Kings likewise have been used to confer them on such as have the ho∣nour to be of Kin, or allied to them, or consider∣able persons in the State.
It being needless to speak here of all the Orders of Knighthood that have been instituted in France, it will be sufficient to tell you, that there was for∣merly the Order of the Star Instituted, [in memory of the Star that Conducted the three Kings, or wise Men of the East to Bethlehem] by Robert the Devout, King of France, in the year 1022. which is attri∣buted to by some, to Hugh Capet, but more com∣monly to King John, because after a long disuse, he reestablished it in the year 1351.
The Knights of this Order were the Figure of a Star wrought in gold, with five rays upon their left Breasts: The Great Collar of the Order was made like a Chain of gold wreathed with three Links, fastned or knotted together with Roses of the same, Enamel'd with white and red; and in the time of King John, the Knights wore at the end of the said Collar, or upon their Cloaks, a golden Star with this Inscription or Motto, Monstrant Regibus :stra viam. This Order growing common, as some say, even in the time of King John, the Restorer of it, and others, in the time of Charles the Seventh, and thereupon observed by Lewis the XI. to be grown into contempt with the people, the said King to∣totally