Shield of Jacob of Luxemburg (after 1441-88), Lord of Fiennes, in his Capacity as knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece c. 1481

Painted after 1441 by Pierre Coustain, this shield represents Jacob of Luxemburg as a knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece. Heraldry in the 15th century was more than mere decoration; it was a visual language of power, identity, and lineage. This shield encapsulates Jacob's noble status, achieved during a time when social mobility was limited and ancestry dictated one's position. The Order of the Golden Fleece, a prestigious and exclusive chivalric order, was deeply intertwined with the political ambitions of the Burgundian dukes and the Holy Roman Empire. Symbols of lions and stars, set against the backdrop of an ornate dragon crest, speak to the values of courage, divinity, and military prowess that Jacob wished to embody. It's a potent reminder of the intricate dance between personal identity, social expectation, and political maneuvering. This shield offers a glimpse into the ambitions and self-fashioning of a man navigating the complex web of late medieval society.