The Order of the Golden Fleece, founded in 1430 by Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, is one of the most traditional and noble knightly orders of the Christian West. After the extinction of the Burgundian dukes, the order passed to the House of Habsburg and, after Charles VI, to the House of Habsburg-Lorraine. To this day, it is composed solely of representatives of the European high aristocracy, including several reigning monarchs. In 2006, the order celebrated its annual Andreas feast publicly for the first time in one and a half centuries at the Swearing Cross, the relics of St. Apostle Andrew, and Emperor Charles at the Heiligenkreuz Abbey near Vienna. On this occasion, a scientific symposium was also held. 600 years of European order history were presented in nine lectures, which are published in this volume for the public. They document, among other things, how relevant the ideas of the founder, Duke Philip the Good, regarding the defense of the holy church and the true Catholic faith, as well as the honor of the Mother of God and St. Andrew, still are today. The richly illustrated book, published by the order's chancellery, features images from the history of the venerable order as well as from the chapter meeting and provides insight into the mystical splendor of the order's ceremonies and the fascinating world of its knights.