Medal of the holy spirit
of the medals of the holy spirit (frz. Ordre you Saint ESPRIT) was the first medal of France and one of most outstanding Europe.
It became in December 1578 of Heinrich III.to the thanks for the Wohltaten donated, it at three Pfingsttagen assign become, by coming at Whitsuntide 1551 to the world, 1573 are king of Poland and 1574 king from France became.
Beside the large master, who was always the king, there were three medal classes:
- the eight Commandeurs (first divided in four cardinals and four archbishops, bishops or Prälaten, later then eight bishops or Prälaten without special distinction) and the large Almosenier of France (Grand Aumônier de France), which was born commander.
- the four Officiers Commandeurs, that are the chancellor and victory-Elbe-true (Chancelier et guard of the Sceaux), the ceremony master (Prévôt et Maître of the Cérémonies), the treasurer (Grand Trésorier) and the secretary (Greffier), the four Officiers Commandeurs supported of the Officiers (director, Généalogist, Huissier, Historiograph etc.)
- of 100 knights (Chevaliers)
the successor to the throne (Dauphin) and the children of the king (Enfants de France) were knights by their birth, but only starting from that 12. Lebensjahr, prince von Geblüt starting from that 16. and foreign princes starting from that 25. Lebensjahr. All other members had to be old at least 35 years.In addition the taking up had to be noble catholic and in four generations. The last condition did not apply to the Grand Aumônier de France, the treasurer and the secretary.
The medal character was a golden, white enamelled cross with eight buttons and lilies in the four angles.On the Avers of the green enamelled central sign a silver pigeon was shown as symbol for the holy spirit, on the written undertaking the holy Michael.
The foreign exchange was: “duce et auspice”. The medal became at broad sky-blue volume (therefore it le cordon bleu) crosswiseover shoulder and chest carried, in addition a star, similarly the Avers of the cross, on the chest. The clergymen carried it around the neck. The medal flowered up to the French revolution. The national convention main header it up, and also Napoleon I. did not re-establish it.
Only Ludwig XVIII. showed it 1814 his earlier gloss. Since it was not no more lent to the revolution of 1830.
