The festival at Bruges in 1430 in celebration of the marriage of Philip the Good and Isabel of Portugal, at which the Order of the Golden Fleece was instituted, excited universal wonder; while his successor, Charles the Bold, contrived to surpass even his father in the splendour of his espousals with Margaret of York in 1468, and at his conference with the Emperor Frederick III at Trier in 1473.

On this last occasion he wore a mantle encrusted all over with diamonds.
The foundation of the Order of the Golden Fleece in 1430 was an event of great importance, as marking a step forward on the part of Philip in its assumption of quasi-regal attributes.

The title was very appropriate, for it pointed to the wool and cloth trade as being the source of the wealth of Flanders.

The Order comprised thirty-one knights, chosen from the flower of the Burgundian nobles and the chief councillors of the sovereign.

The statutes of the Order set forth in detail the privileges of the members, and their duties and obligations to their prince.