|
THE
ORDER OF THE CHEVALIERS OF THE TARASQUE
In
order that the Fêtes de la Tarasque should be worthily
maintained and carried out, King René founded on
April 14th 1474, the Order of the Chevaliers of the Tarasque.
The statutes called on the members to celebrate : 1/ The
“Games” at least 7 times per century. 2/ To
respect the ceremony and spare no effort to enhance it,
“ to paint the town red “ for fifty days, 3/
To greatly welcome strangers, during this period, to feed
them ungrudgingly.
The Chevaliers of the Tarasque, normally called “
Tarascaïres” were of a number between 12 and
18, chosen from the important citizens, the Mayor installed
them in their functions on Easter Monday.
The Tarascaïres nominated their chief, the Abbot or
Grand Master who organized the games and kept order, and
he was also in charge of welcoming strangers.
On the day of the festivities, the Chevaliers wore their
parade costume, “ a white batiste camisole with pink
lace around the neck, down the front and on the cuffs, pink
silk knee-breeches, white silk stockings clinging to their
calves, white shoes with red heels and soles, a tall grey
felt hat with the wide brim raised on one side and garnished
with a knot of pink ribbon, a wide red silk ribbon across
their chest bearing a silver medal of the Tarasque, a red
cockade on the raised brim of the hat, another on their
heart and finally, blue epaulettes and a stick in their
white-gloved hand".
Source : Les Fêtes de la Tarasque in 1861 –
Translated from the Provençal of Frédéric
Mistral by Anthony Berthier |
|
|
