fjt_377938 - ORDRE DU SAINT-ESPRIT Jeton gravé à la main n.d

ORDER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Order of the Holy Spirit dates from December 1578. It was created by the desire of Henry III to group around his person a nucleus of devoted gentlemen on whom he could count against the League. The king was the grand master of this order, which had one hundred knights, plus nine ecclesiastical commanders and four grand officers: a chancellor, a provost, a grand treasurer and a clerk. The knights of the order of the Holy Spirit were at the same time knight of the order of Saint-Michel. The cross of the order was suspended from a blue cord, hence the name of blue cords given to the Knights of the Holy Spirit. The Dauphin and the sons of France were by right Knights of the Holy Spirit at birth. The name of Holy Spirit had been given in commemoration of the fact that the election of Henry III to the throne of Poland and his accession to the throne of France had both happened on the day of Pentecost..