Order of the Star

On 6^th January 1352, Jean II, Roi of France established the Order of the Star. It was an imitation of the English Order of the Garter but was not intended to be so restrictive in its membership. Membership was planned for around 500 members.

It was established "in honour of God, of our Lady and for the heightening of chivalry and augmenting of honour".

The full Order was to assemble once a year in a ceremonial banquet hung with all the blazons of its members. Companions were to wear a white tunic, a red or white surcoat embroided with a gold star, a red hat, an enamelled ring of a special design, black hose, and gilded shoes. They were to display a red banner strewn with stars and embroided with an image of Our Lady.

At the annual banquet each would recite on oath all "the adventures that befell him in the year both shameful and honourable". Clerks were to be present, that would take down all the recitals in a book.

Companions of the Star were required to swear they would never flee in battle more than 4 arpents (about 600 metres) by their own estimate, but rather die or be taken prisoner.

At the very first banquet, the English took advantage of the absence of one Companion, and while he was feasting captured his castle.

Later the same year (1352) during the war in Brittany, a French Force led by Marshal Guy de Nesle was caught in ambush at Mauvon. The French could have easily fled and saved themselves, but were bound by their oath not to retreat. Though they were surrounded, they stood and fought until all were virtually killed or captured. 7 or 8 Bannerets and 80-90 knights were killed and many more captured.

This left a great hole in the Order of the Star, that "with the great mischiefs and misfortunes that were to follow, caused the ruin of that whole company". The Order didn't survive into the reign of the next Roi of France.