The Order of St. Michael was instituted by King Louis XI on 1.8.1469 and named after the Protector of the Kingdom - the Archangel St. Michael. Awarded in one class, it ranked second in the hierarchy of Orders of the French Kingdom. In 1665 the Order was reformed and restricted to 100 Knights plus the Knights of the Holy Spirit who automatically received it. Recipients had to prove their nobility, be of Roman Catholic faith and have served the State for at least 10 years. Like all Royal Orders it was suppressed during the Revolution but with the Restoration it was revived and was awarded for distinction in the arts, literature and the sciences.