Knights of the Cock and Dog, founded by Philippe I., Auguste, of France.
Knights of the Crescent, a military order, instituted by Renatus, of Anjou, king of Sicily, etc., in 1448. So called from the badge, which is a crescent of gold enamelled. What gave rise to this institution was that Renatus took for his device a crescent, with the word loz (“praise”), which, in the style of rebus, makes loz in crescent, i. e. “by advancing in virtue one merits praise.”
Knights of the Dove, a Spanish order, instituted in 1379, by John I., of Castile.
Knights of the Dragon, created by the emperor Sigismond, in 1417, upon the condemnation of Huss and Jerome, of Prague, “the heretics.”
Knights[Knights] of the Ermine (Chevaliers de l’Ordre de l’Epi), instituted in 1450 by François I., duc de Bretagne. The collar was of gold, composed of ears of corn in saltier, at the end of which hung an ermine, with the legend à ma vie. The order expired when the dukedom was annexed to the crown of France.
Knights of the Garter, instituted by Edward III. of England, in 1344. According to Selden, “it exceeds in majesty, honor, and fame, all chivalrous orders in the world.” The story is that Joan, countess of Salisbury, while dancing with the king, let fall her garter, and the gallant Edward, perceiving a smile on the face of the courtiers, picked it up, bound it round his own knee, and exclaimed, “Honi soit qui mal y pense.” The blue garter and the motto of the order are thus accounted for.
Knights of the Golden Fleece, a military order of knighthood, instituted by Philippe, le Bon, of Burgundy, in 1429. It took its name from a representation of the golden fleece on the collar of the order. The king of Spain is grand-master, and the motto is Ante feret quam flamma micet.
Knights of the Golden Shield, an order instituted by Louis II., of France, for the defence of the country. The motto is Allons (i. e. “Let us go in defence of our country”).
Knights of the Hare, an order of twelve knights, instituted by Edward III. while he was in France. The French raised a tremendous shout, and Edward thought it was the cry of battle, but it was occasioned by a hare running between the two armies. From this incident the knights created on the field after this battle were termed “Knights of the Order of the Hare.”
Knights of the Holy Ghost (Chevalier de l’Ordre du Saint Esprit), instituted by Henri III., of France, on his return from Poland. Henri III. was both born and crowned on Whit-Sunday, and hence the origin of the order.