On the 1st of August 1469, in Amboise, King Louis XI of France founded the chivalric order he named the Order of Saint Michael. This event attracted my attention for today’s post because Amboise features in my work in progress, The Favourite Murder. Leonardo da Vinci’s tomb is in Amboise.
The Order of Saint Michael, established in 1469 by King Louis XI of France, was a significant chivalric institution intended to consolidate royal authority and counterbalance the influence of rival powers within France and beyond. Named after Saint Michael the Archangel, a figure representing protection and divine justice, the order was designed to foster loyalty among the French nobility during a period marked by political intrigue and territorial disputes.
King Louis XI, often referred to as ‘The Universal Spider’ due to his intricate web of political manoeuvres and diplomatic strategies, sought to strengthen the monarchy’s hold over the fragmented French territories. His reign was characterised by efforts to reduce the power of feudal lords and centralise authority under the crown. The creation of the Order of Saint Michael was a strategic move to cultivate a sense of unity and allegiance among the nobility, ensuring that their loyalties lay with the king rather than with local or foreign powers.
The backdrop to the establishment of this order was Louis XI’s intense rivalry with Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy. Philip the Good was one of the most powerful and influential figures of his time, ruling over the extensive Burgundian territories, which included parts of modern-day France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. His court in Burgundy was a centre of cultural and political influence, rivalled only by the grandeur of the French monarchy.
Philip the Good had founded the Order of the Golden Fleece in 1430, an exclusive chivalric order that symbolised the prestige and power of the Burgundian state. This order attracted many influential nobles, enhancing Philip’s political clout across Europe. Recognising the need to create an institution of comparable stature, Louis XI established the Order of Saint Michael to reinforce the prestige of the French crown and to secure the loyalty of his own nobility.
The rivalry between Louis XI and Philip the Good was rooted in both personal ambition and broader territorial conflicts. The Hundred Years’ War had left France weakened, with regions like Burgundy wielding considerable autonomy. Philip the Good’s alliance with England during parts of the war further strained relations with the French crown. Although Philip eventually reconciled with Charles VII of France, Louis XI’s father, tensions persisted as Burgundy continued to assert its independence and influence.
Louis XI’s approach to this rivalry was marked by a combination of diplomatic cunning and strategic alliances. He was adept at using marriages, treaties, and espionage to achieve his goals. His establishment of the Order of Saint Michael was not merely a symbolic act; it was a calculated effort to create a network of loyal nobles who would support his centralising policies. Membership in the order was highly prestigious, reserved for those who demonstrated unwavering loyalty to the crown and distinguished themselves in service to France.
The emblem of the Order of Saint Michael featured an image of the Archangel Michael defeating the dragon, symbolising the triumph of good over evil and, metaphorically, the king’s authority over rebellious vassals and external threats. The order held annual gatherings on Saint Michael’s Day, fostering a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose among its members.
The rivalry between Louis XI and Philip the Good had lasting repercussions for the political landscape of France and Europe. After Philip’s death in 1467, his son Charles the Bold inherited the duchy and continued the struggle against French centralisation. Louis XI’s persistent efforts eventually led to the decline of Burgundian power, culminating in the death of Charles the Bold in 1477 and the subsequent absorption of much of Burgundy into the French crown.
In conclusion, the Order of Saint Michael was more than just a chivalric order; it was a tool of statecraft designed to fortify the French monarchy during a period of intense political rivalry. The conflict between King Louis XI and Philip the Good exemplifies the complex interplay of personal ambition, territorial ambition, and the use of symbolic institutions to wield and project power in late medieval Europe.