Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/737

 TUSCANY.

ORDER OF ST. STEPHEN.

Cosmos of Medicis, first Grand Duke of Tuscany, founded, in 1562, this Order at Pisa, in commemoration of the victory gained by him on the 2nd August, 1554 (St. Stephen's day) over the French, under command of Marshal Strozzi, by which his safe possession of Tuscany was secured. The Order is subject to the rule of St. Benedict, and had its seat originally at Pisa, where the founder erected for it two splendid cloisters, one for the Grand Prior and the Knights, and the other for the Prior who wore the Grand Cross and the episcopal robe in his clerical functions. The church service was performed by the chaplains, who took the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience.

The statutes, confirmed by Pope Pius IV., were formed after those of the 'Order of St. John,' as were also the insignia and costume of the Order. The Knights, however, were neither bound by the vow of chastity, nor by that of poverty, being allowed to marry, and also to possess private property and benefices.

The object of the institution was the defence of the Catholic Church, and the destruction of the pirates who rendered the navigation of the Mediterranean unsafe, and threatened the ruin of the Tuscan trade and commerce.

In the year 1563, the Knights commenced their operations,