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ORDERS OF KNIGHTHOOD IN FLANDERS.
THIS Order of Knighthood was instituted by Philip Duke of Burgundy, and Earl of Flanders, in Anno 1429. being moved thereto with devout Zeal to un∣dertake the Conquest of the Holy Land: The Patron of this Order was St. Andrew: The Sovereign, he to whom the Dukedom of Bur∣gundy doth lawfully descend. The number of these Knights at the first Election were Four and twenty besides the Sovereign; all of No∣ble Blood; which were afterwards much in∣creased by the Emperor Charles the Fifth.
Their Habit a Cassock of crimson Velvet, and over it a Mantle of the same, lined with white, which openeth on the right side, and is turned upon the left over the Shoulder, em∣broidered round about with a Bordure of Flames, Fusils, and Fleeces; and a Hood of crimson Velvet on their Heads. The Collar is of Gold wrought of Flames and Fusils, with the Toizon or Figure of a Golden Fleece which Iason won at Colchos, or as some sup∣pose, Gideon's Fleece, which signifies Fidelity or Justice uncorrupted. And this Collar or Toizon they are obliged upon a Penalty al∣ways to wear, not to make any alterati∣ons; and to sell or exchange it is deemed most unlawful.
The Sovereign hath in himself authority absolutely to give and bestow this Honour, when and to whom he pleaseth: And whoso∣ever entreth into the said Dignity, must first renounce all other Orders of Knighthood; nevertheless all Emperors, Kings, and Dukes are excepted, unto whom it is dispenced that they may wear the Ensigns of this Order, if they be the chief of their own Order. These, with other Statutes and Ordinances, the Knights are sworn to observe and keep. The day of their Assembly was first on St. Andrews day, which since was changed to the Second of May, and that but once in three years, unless the Sovereign otherwise pleaseth.
To this Order doth belong four principal Officers; viz. a Chancellor, a Treasurer, a Register, and a King at Arms, called Toizon d'Or.