History

371 Years of history

The Great Order of the Amarant is a Royal Swedish Fraternal organisation created by Queen Kristina in 1653.

It is believed that Queen Kristina on Epiphany that year held a decadent ball “ The Feast of the Gods”.

Her costume was covered in jewels, during the event she removed a piece of jewellery and presented it to Antonio Pimentel (Spanish Ambassador), making him the first knight of the Order, she proceeded to distribute the remaining jewels to a select few of her innermost circle, anointing them members, and thereby officially instituting the Order of “Fraire d’Amarante” -  The Great Order of the Amarant

Queen Kristina may have seemed controversial and spontaneous, however she was a gifted intellectual, calculated with a strong passion for knowledge and the Arts.

She excelled in philosophy, mathematics, religion and alchemy surrounding herself with some of the best learned men of the time.

Her thirst for knowledge had no boundaries, together with the Ambassador of France she persuaded Philosopher Rene Descartes, to organise a scientific academy sending a ship to collect the philosopher and his 2000 books. She had a personal collection of over 300 scientific instruments, manuscripts and books.

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She also established a school/education infrastructure and first Swedish newspaper.
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The Order was temporarily dissolved by her envious cousin and reinstated when he passed... via her noble supporters.

The Order expanded to included Stockholm, Karlskrona, Gothenburg, Malmo and Finland.

In 1654 Queen Kristina became a catholic and abdicated the throne to her cousin, moving to Rome as a permanent guest of the Pope, she was instrumental in ending the 30 year war.

She also supported the theatre, established the first Opera house in Rome, protected the jews from traditional carnival persecution.

Pope Vll described Queen Kristina as a Queen without a realm, a Christian without faith and a women without shame.

Queen Kristina outlived 4 Popes and is one of very few women buried in the Vatican grotto.

Over the years, The Great Order of the Amarant has enjoyed the patronage of all Swedish and other European monarchs since and has been toasted and endorsed by many high profile individuals. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll holds the highest honour of the Order.

In modern times the growth of the international membership has added value to the Order.

The Organisation has kept the rules of a closed and exclusive Order and hosts a biennial Grand Ball for its honoured and respected members with an induction ceremony for new members.

A great patron to the arts and intellects of her time, Queen Kristina was a modern, flamboyant, complex, ambitious, eccentric and above all a visionary, who continues to be a great historical emblem for women.

In 2024 The Great Order of the Amarant enters its 371st year -  Europe’s Longest running fraternal Order and The IAC enters its 24 year.