GOLDEN FLEECE, in Greek tradition, the fleece of the rum ehrysomallus, the recovery of which was the object of the arwonautie expedition. See ARGONAUTS. The golden fleece has given its 'name to a celebrated order of knighthood, in Austria and Spain, founded by III., duke of Burgundy and the Netherlands. at Bruges, on Jan. 10, 1429, on the occasion of his marriage with Isabella, daughter of king John I. of Portu gal. This order was instituted for the protection of the church, and the fleece was probably assumed for its emblem, as much from being the material of the staple manufac tare of the low countries, as from its connection with heroic times. The founder made himself grand-master of the order, a dignity appointed to descend to his successors: and the number of knights, at first limited to 24, was subsequently increased. After the death of Charles V., the Burgundo-Spanish line of the house of Austria remained in possession of the order; but at the close of the Spanish war of succession, the emperor. Charles VI., laid claim to it in the virtue of his possession of the Netherlands, and taking with him the archives of the order, celebrated Its inauguration with great mag nificence at Vienna in 1713. Philip V. of Spain contested the claim of Charles; and the dispute, several times renewed, was at last tacitly adjusted by the introduction of the order in both countries. The insignia are a golden fleece hanging from a gold and blue
enameled flintstone emitting flames, and borne in its turn by a ray of fire. On the enameled obverse is inscribed prelim Mborum non vile. The decoration was originally suspended from a chain of alternate firestones and rays, for which Chailes V. allowed a red ribbon to be substituted, and the chain is now worn only by the grand-master. The Spanish decoration differs slightlyy from the Austrian. The costume consists of a long robe of deep-red velvet, lined with white taffetas, and a long mantle of purple velvet lined with white satin, and richly trimmed with embroidery containing fireslones and steels emitting flaiimitng sparks. On the hem, which' is•of whitesatin„ is embroidered in gold, je ray eilip•ut. Met& is also a cup of purple velvet embroidered in gold, with a hood, and the shoes and stockings are red. In Austria, the emperor may now create any number of knights of the golden fleece from the old nobility; if Protestants, the pope's consent is required. In Spain, princes, grandees, and personages of peculiar merit are alone eligible.