The Order of the Dove (Spanish: Orden de la Paloma, meaning Order of the Pigeon, as the Spanish word paloma is used to refer to both doves and pigeons), was a short-lived military order, lasting for only one year after its inception. It was created by King Juan I of Castile in 1379 to defend the Catholic faith and the Kingdom of Castile.

Oil paint dating from the 19th century exposed in the Congress of Deputies of Madrid, showing the necklace of the Order, which contains a pigeon.

History

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It had been doubted in the past which king of the Kingdom of Castile had created the order (another option being Henry III of Castile in 1399). The order was dissolved soon after, but regardless of its short life, it had become infamous due to its large feasts which included the consumption of pigeon[1] (the order's namesake).

These large feasts and the name of the order itself directly contributed to its downfall. [citation needed]

Only honorable men could become knights of a military order. Thus, despite pigeon being a popular food during the period [citation needed], it did not have a distinctive reputation as the pigeon held the connotation of promiscuity.[2]

The insignia of the order was a chain necklace with an open wing pigeon.

References

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  1. ^ Canova, Jane (Spring 2005). "Monuments to the Birds: Dovecotes and Pigeon Eating in the Land of Fields". Gastronomica: The Journal of Food and Culture. 5 (2). University of California Press: 50–59. doi:10.1525/gfc.2005.5.2.50. JSTOR 10.1525/gfc.2005.5.2.50.
  2. ^ Toussaint-Samat, Maguelonne (2009). The History of Food (2 ed.). John Wiley & Sons. p. 308. ISBN 9781444305142.