> > > As for strange names for knightly orders, the
> > Danish Order of the Elephant, or the
> > Hungarian Order of the Copperpot?
> >
> > I don't suppose you'd want to offer some sort
> > of explanation for *those*. :oP They certainly
> > conjure up some fascinating visual imagery.
> > Danes riding elephants? Hungarians wearing
> > copper pots for helmets? Who knows?
>
> If I knew, I'd love to tell you :)
>


This is where I step in: I found a link to a picture of the Elephant Order. The accompanying text translates roughly as follows:

"Gold, enamel, diamonds and perls. The order is one of Europes oldest and goes back to a Christian brotherhood, founded by [the danish king] Christian I approx. 1450.

Before The Reformation, the chain was accompanied by a medallion with The Virgin and The Child. Maybe, this explains the choice of the elephant, which among other things was believed to symbolize chastity.

The autocracy [translation?] gave the order new regulations [tr?] and furnished the chapel of the Frederiksborg Castle as chapel of the order [term?].

Today, the order is given within The Royal House and to heads of state."

Sorry, no copperpots.

jul"Christian, the religion. Christian, the name"ian