Order of the Star (France)
| Order of the Star
(The Knights of Our Lady of the Noble House) Ordre de l'Étoile | |
|---|---|
The badge of the Order of the Star as described by John II the Good of France. | |
| Awarded by the Kings of France | |
| Type | Monarchical Order of Knighthood |
| Established | 6 November 1351 |
| Country | Kingdom of France |
| Religious affiliation | Catholic Church |
| Seat | Saint-Ouen, France |
| Motto | Monstrant regibus astra viam (“The star[s] show the way to kings”) |
| Eligibility | Nobles and knights |
| Criteria | Distinguished merits in battle |
| Status | Defunct |
| Founder | John II of France |
| Sovereign | John II of France |
| Grades | Knight |
| Statistics | |
| First induction | 1352 |
| Last induction | before 1380 |
| Total inductees | Up to 500, 100+ likely |
The Order of the Star (French: Ordre de l'Étoile) or Company of the Star was an order of chivalry founded on 6 November 1351 by John II of France, to rival the Order of the Garter founded in 1348 by Edward III of England. This was the first monarchical order of knighthood, and first military order in French history. The inaugural ceremony of the order took place on 6 January 1352 at Saint-Ouen, from which it is sometimes called the Order of Knights of the Noble House of Saint Ouen.