The International Order of St Hubertus (IOSH) hosted a reunification and investiture event on June 5th to June 9th, 2019 at Chambord Castle, where the first Grand Chapter meeting of the entire IOSH Order celebrated unity, biodiversity and conservation.
Col. Michael Carrington was instrumental in developing the IOSH Romanian Chapter. President of the Maria Nobrega Foundation (MNF), Elizabeth Nobrega attended the event with MNF Trustee and Knight of IOSH, Mr Christopher Akers and MNF Trustee, Mrs Anne-Louise Reilly-Akers (please see above).
The Château de Chambord, Loire-et-Cher, France is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was constructed by King Francis I of France in 1519. It is one of the most recognisable castles in the world due to its French Renaissance architecture. When King Francis I commissioned the construction of Chambord Castle, he wanted it to resemble the skyline of Constantinople. During the nineteenth century, the castles' architectural style influenced many buildings across the United Kingdom, including the Founder's Building at Royal Holloway, University of London, designed by William Henry Crossland and the main building of Fettes College in Edinburgh, designed by David Bryce in 1870.
One of the most impressive architectural features of the Château de Chambord is its famous double helix staircase (please see above right). The design of this element is popularly attributed to the renowned Italian Renaissance polymath, Leonardo da Vinci.
Leonardo’s wish was to be buried in the church of St. Florentin in Amboise, which took place on August 12, 1519. However the church was demolished during the French Revolution in the late 18th century (and later by Napoleon I). The alleged bones of Leonardo da Vinci were discovered in 1863 and moved to the Chapel of Saint-Hubert in the gardens of the Château d’Amboise. Today, the tomb can be visited on the left side of the tiny chapel, where two epitaphs (in French and Italian) hang on the wall describing his birth, death, and how he came to rest in the Chapel of Saint-Hubert.