Once I was a clever boy learning the arts of Oxford... is a quotation from the verses written by Bishop Richard Fleming (c.1385-1431) for his tomb in Lincoln Cathedral. Fleming, the founder of Lincoln College in Oxford, is the subject of my research for a D. Phil., and, like me, a son of the West Riding. I have remarked in the past that I have a deeply meaningful on-going relationship with a dead fifteenth century bishop... it was Fleming who, in effect, enabled me to come to Oxford and to learn its arts, and for that I am immensely grateful.


Thursday 25 March 2021

The Order of the Most Holy Annunciation


The Order of the Most Holy Annunciation has a continuous history since its foundation by the Count of Savoy in 1362, making it, after the Order of the Garter, the second oldest extant Order of Chivalry. 

There is an illustrated account of the Order from Wikipedia at Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation As that account shows the Order has some distinctive features, including having not one but two collars, and which appear to be worn of an evening, and only it started using a riband in the twentieth century.

File:Umberto4.jpg

Crown Prince Umberto wearing the Grande Collana

Image: Wikipedia

King Umberto Savoy II

King Umberto II in later life wearing the Piccola Collana together with the riband of the Order of SS Maurice and Lazarus and the stars of both Orders

Image: findagrave

I have posted about the Order in 2011 at Order of the Annunziata and in 2012 at Order of the Annunziata 650. This post has a series of links to additional information about the history of the Order.

File:Order of the Most Holy Annunciation badge (Italy 1920-1940) - Tallinn Museum of Orders.jpg

The collar badge of the Order of the Most Holy Annunciation and dated to 1920-1940
Museum of Orders Tallinn

Image: Wikimedia


No comments: