Golden fleece

The Order of the Golden Fleece is an order of chivalry founded in Bruges by Duke Philip III of Burgundy in 1430, to celebrate his marriage to the Portuguese princess Isabella of Aviz.

It is one of the most prestigious orders in Europe.

Today there exist two branches of the Order: the Spanish Fleece and the Austrian Fleece. The Sovereigns of the Spanish and Austrian branches, respectively, are Juan Carlos I of Spain and Karl von Habsburg.