KNIGHTS OF THE Order of the Elephant IN DENMARK.
KING Christian the First of Den∣mark, upon a Religious account travelled to Rome; and amongst other Honours, Pope Sixtus the Fourth, in memory of the Pas∣sion of our Saviour, invested him with this Order, and ordained him and his Successors, Kings of Denmark, Chief and Supream of the said Order; which was conferred on the Da∣nish Princes, as a memorial to incite them to defend the Christian Religion against the Moors and A••ricans.
These Knights were obliged to perform Acts of Piety and Charity, with certain Ce∣remonies to be observed, especially upon those days on which they wore the Ensign of their Order, which was the figure of an E∣lephant, on whose side, within a rundle, was represented a Crown of Thorns with three bloody Nails.
Instead of their golden Collar formerly won by them, they now wear about them a blew Ribon, to which hangs an Elephant enameled white, and beautified with five large Diamonds set in the midst.
On the day of the Coronation of the King's of Denmark this Order hath been commonly conferred upon the Nobles and most deserving Senators of his Kingdom.