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Le Ballet de l'Acier

Orders of Knighthood

Orders of knighthood are religious, military, or honorific societies dedicated to serving a community or person or honoring select individuals for their contributions. The earliest orders were associated with the Crusades and combined both military and monastic aspects; a few of these orders, such as the Knights of St. John, still exist. Others were established by sovereigns to develop a community of loyal supporters, almost exclusively among the nobility and gentry; these orders, such as the Order of Saint Michael, are the most common. A small number of largely honorary orders, such as the Order of the Golden Spur, exist to recognize significant accomplishments or ability by individuals in different fields.

French orders —

Minor French orders —

Foreign and ecclesiastical orders —

Knights exclusive of orders —