Campaign of the Month: August 2011
Le Ballet de l'Acier
Knights of the Holy Ampule
This ephemeral order consists of four knights selected on the occasion of the crowning of the king of France. The four knights are the barons of Bellestre, Louvercy or Neuvizy, Souastre and Terrier, vassals of the abbey of Saint-Remi, and it is their job to hold the canopy over the “Holy Ampule” during the annointing with oil of the new king before his cornoation.
According to tradition, the “Holy Ampule” was delivered to Saint Remi, as he prepared to annoit King Clovis, by a dover from heaven. The ampule of holy oil is kept in the abbey of Saint-Remi between coronations and protected by its four knights during the ceremonies.