ORDER OF SAINT EULALIA
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MOST ANCIENT AND MOST NOBLE DYNASTIC ORDER OF SAINT EULALIA OF FORNOS
FOUNDED IN 1643
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HISTORY
DYNASTIC ORIGIN AND SUCCESSION | PATRON SAINT | GRAND MASTERS

The Order of Saint Eulalia was founded in 1643 by Dame Leonor Mateus, the dynastic origin of the House of Leonor (Portugal), in the early stages of the Restoration Wars and under strong oppression from Castile: the parish of Fornos was completely wiped out more than once in the course of those wars. Because of its physical proximity to the border with Spain and its military and geostrategic location, Fornos was of the most importance in resisting the invader. It is arguable that, like many other older Chivalry Orders from the period of the Reconquista (Portugal and Spain: Reconquest, 12th century), the Order of Saint Eulalia was initially created more as a political and military tool (pro independence) rather than a spiritual fraternity. Freedom and Justice, supported by a strong sense of Christian Humanism, have always been in the agenda of this family.

The Parish of Fornos, and the entire Northeast of Portugal, have been a place of Jewish settlements from very early times in history and so we must not discard the possibility that the foundation of this Order was also intimately linked to that fact, be it by a racial opposition or separation, be it by a religious opposition or separation. In other words, either the first knights were (old) Christians and were trying to stand out from the Jewish community or they were converted Jews (also called New Christians) and were trying to create a distance (or a difference) from the rest of the community who had remained faithful to the old rites. Either way they have produced an immortal legacy of Catholic devotion so strong that has remained intact for more than 360 years.

It is also obvious, from the early history of the Order, its strong attachment and loyalty to the House of Braganza (the ruling House of Portugal since 1640), still patent in the reformed Code (2008), in the oath of allegiance to the Duke and Duchess of Braganza and in the Medal of «Loyalty to the King and Country» (a remembrance of the days of King Michael I) reserved to those who have served in combat in the Portuguese Armed Forces.

Dame Leonor Mateus, a Matriarch and a Woman-at-arms, was an outstanding figure of the Portuguese Counter-Reformation in the Northeast. Very little is known of her life. She is believed to have been orphaned of both parents early on (during the Restoration Wars) and to have been raised by the house servants. In her last will and testament she contemplates all her staff, an indication of that childhood debt perhaps. The very few documents that are known show her true devotion to the House of Braganza and to King John IV. Just the simple fact that she was a woman in a men's world makes her stand out as an exceptional human being. All of her grandchildren without exception have adopted her Christian name (Leonor) as a patronymic (family name) which is very revealing of her prestige long after her death. She became the dynastic origin of a large family and the source of a strong spiritual legacy. God bless her!