Order of the Golden Fleece

On Saturday, 1 May 1456, the Chapter started with Mass at the Great Church. The knights were sitting in the choir, the most holy place of the church surrounding the high altar. This part of the church was not accessible or visible for everyone.

Over the knights’ heads were the coats of arms showing each knight’s arm. Sixteen of the thirty-one Golden Fleece knights attended Mass in The Hague. Philip the Good sat facing the high altar. The other knights sat on either side of him. The most important and most loyal knights positioned themselves closest to the Duke.

Did you know:
that Philip the Good deliberately chose the parish church over the court chapel? A recent renovation had made the Great Church even greater and more impressive.

The church services alternated with meetings and dinners at the Great Hall in the Inner Courtyard, known today as the Knights’ Hall.