Tags

  • knightly order
Le Ballet de l'Acier

Order of the Magdalene

This unusual order was established in 1614 by Jean Lechesne, sieur de La Charonniere, a pious Breton nobleman. Members of the Order of the Magdalene (Ordre de la Madeleine) foreswear dueling, consecrating their arms to the service of God and the King. The rule of this lay order holds that as the representative of God on Earth, the royal edicts prohibiting dueling are like unto commandments and must be observed as such, and that to put one’s personal honor ahead of one’s duty to God and the King is sacrilege. Members may not engage in a duel nor act as seconds for those who do.

The order attracted favorable attention from the queen regent and the king on its establishment, and it briefly numbered more than a hundred members, but it has since dwindled to less than a score.

Members of the order wear a gold cross fleury suspended from a white ribbon.