Engraving enhanced with watercolor
and gold ink in period colors
dated 1852
"Costume of the knights
of the order of the star."
Reign of Louis VII in the 12th century. Published by the Bibliophile Jacob by the Imprimerie Camus
(France, 19th c.)
Magos Foundation Collection
MILITARY ORDERS IN REFERENCE
TO THE MAGI TO INCITE COMBAT
King John the Good (France, 14th c.) created the Order of the Star to win new loyalty from French knights and discipline them. To be admitted, only personal merits on the battlefield counted. The knights, who wore a gold embroidered five-pointed star in reference to the star of the magi, were never to turn their backs on the enemy. This cost the lives of many of them.