The DUCHESS ANNE

Queen of FRANCE 1491-1514

Daughter of  Duke  François II and Marguerite de Foix, Anne was born on 25th. January 1477 at the Duke's castle in Nantes. On the death of her father in 1488, she became Duchess  of Brittanny .
She was married at the age of 13 by procuration, to the Emperor Maximilien Ist , but she finally married the King of France, Charles VIII, on 6th.  December 1491, in the castle of Langeais. She was widowed in 1498, and re-married the following year on the 8th. January 1499, to  Louis XII after he had repudiated Jeanne de France.
This union gave the day to Claude de France, future wife of François Ist, and Renée de France, future Duchess of Ferrare. Anne died on 9th. January 1514, at the beginning of her 37th. year.

Why BRETVIN ?

The Order was created on 20th. May 1948 by a group of successful wine growers and merchants from Nantes.

BERNARD ROY, founding member of The Order he became the first Grand-Master, until his sudden death in April 1952.
Count Geffroy de GOULAINE the second Grand- Master from 1952 to 1969.
The Marquis Robert de GOULAINE the third Grand- Master from 1969 to 1982.
Albert DASSIE, the 4th.Grand- Master from 1982 to 1993
Michel BOLO, the 5th.Grand- Master from 1993 to 2003.

These 5 Grand- Masters have, over 55 years, made the brotherhood into a true Order with its ceremony, ethics and its "THREE GLORIES" which are : 

The anniversary of St Vincent around 22nd. January.
The Vallet wine fair "EXPOVALL" in March.
The award of the "BOUTEILLE D'OR" ( Golden Bottle ) after the wine  harvest. The trophy is given to the commune that obtains the most medals relative to its grape growing area..

The Order of ' The Bretvins Knights ' is the only Order able to parade a large number of Knights in full costume.

In fact all the Knights are able to wear the costume, a black robe adorned in green for the newest orders, yellow for the "Consuls", red for the members of the " Grand Council" . The dignitaries, chosen by the councillors, wear ermine robes with the emblem of Duchess Anne.

The Duchess who is the patron of the Order also gives the name to the Order. The Bretons familiarly and tenderly call her " La Petite Brette".( The little Breton )
To this the founders added the word  "Vin" thus making   "BRETVIN".