[1620.]

As no Chevaliers of the Order of the Holy Ghost had been created since the death of Henry IV., their number had so much decreased that only twenty-eight remained; and de Luynes, aware that himself and his brothers would necessarily be included in the next promotion, urged Louis XIII. to commence the year (1620) by conferring so coveted an honour upon the principal nobles of the kingdom. The suggestion was favourably received; and so profusely adopted, that no less than fifty-five individuals were placed upon the list, at the head of which stood the name of the Duke d'Anjou. But although some of the proudest titles in France figured in this creation, it included several of minor rank who would have been considered ineligible during the preceding reigns; a fact which was attributed to the policy of the favourite, who was anxious to render so signal a distinction less onerous in his own case and that of his relatives; while others were omitted whose indignation at this slight increased the ranks of the malcontents.

Marie de Medicis, who had not yet forgiven the royal declaration in favour of the Prince de Condé, was additionally irritated that these honours should have been conceded without her participation; for she immediately perceived that the intention of the favourite had been to reserve to himself the credit of obtaining so signal a distinction for the noblemen and gentlemen upon whom it was conferred, and to render her own helplessness more apparent.