The Order of the Band, Knights of the Band, or Equites Bindae, was a
military order in
Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto = '' Plus ultra'' ( Latin)(English: "Further Beyond")
, national_anthem = (English: "Royal March")
, ...
, instituted by
Alfonso XI,
King
King is the title given to a male monarch in a variety of contexts. The female equivalent is queen, which title is also given to the consort of a king.
*In the context of prehistory, antiquity and contemporary indigenous peoples, the ...
of
Castile in 1332.
[''The New Cambridge Medieval History, vol. 6: c. 1300 - c. 1415'', Michael Jones (ed.) (Cambridge, 1998), p. 209.] It took its name from the ''banda'', band, sash or red ribbon which was once worn by knights belonging to the order.
Membership of the order was awarded to certain distinguished knights and squires of the king, and had roots back as far as 1324.
This order was only for nobility; the eldest sons of
grandees were excluded; and a prerequisite to admittance was to have served at least ten years either in the army, or at court. They were bound to take up arms for
Catholicism
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
against infidels. The King himself was Grand Master of the order. After a period of decline it is considered to have been extinct by 1474.
See also
*
Female order of the Band
*
Royal Bend of Castile
References
External links
Members of the Order of the Band
Band
Orders of chivalry of Spain
14th-century establishments in Castile
History of Catholicism in Spain
Catholic orders of chivalry
1332 establishments in Europe
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