Foundation Day - Order of the Golden Spur - HRE

The Order of the Golden Spur - HRE - The Order of the Golden Spur had its origins in the title Count palatine of the Lateran Palace, which was in the gift of the Holy Roman Emperor. Knight of the Golden Spur, ger. Ritter vom güldenen Sporn, lat. (singular) eques auratus, rarer miles auratus (literally "golden knight" or "gold decorated knight", in full: eques auratus Sancti Romani Imperii).

The Knights of the Golden Spur (Latin equites aurati Sancti Romani Imperii, literally "Golden Knights of the Holy Roman Empire"; short equites aurati or milites aurati, "golden knights/soldiers") were a public official elite of the Holy Roman Empire which consisted mainly of members of the gentry, but also from members of the bourgeoisie and the aristocracy. The term should not be confused with the English knight bachelor, who is frequently termed Eques Auratus in Latin monumental inscriptions, especially from the 17th century, denoting the privilege held by him of being allowed to gild his armour. www.OrderoftheGoldenSpur.com