covering of wool, shorn off the bodies of sheep. See Wool.

Order of the Golden Fleece, an order of knighthood instituted by Philip II. duke of Burgundy. These knights at first were twenty-four, besides the duke himself, who reserved the nomination of six more: but Charles V. increased them to fifty. He gave the guardianship of this order to his son Philip king of Spain, since which the Spanish monarchs are chiefs of the order. The knights had three different mantles ordained them at the grand solemnity, the collar and fleece.

Fleet, commonly implies a company of ships of war, belonging to any prince or state; but sometimes it denotes any number of trading ships, employed in a particular branch of commerce.

In sailing, a fleet of men of war is usually divided into three squadrons; the admiral's, the vice-admiral's, and the rear-admiral's squadron, all which, being distinguished by their flags and pendants, are to put themselves, and, as near as may be, to keep themselves in their customary places, viz. The admiral, with his squadron, to sail in the van, that so he may lead the way to all the rest in the day-time, by the sight of his flag in the main top-mast head; and in the night time, by his lights or lanterns. The vice-admiral and his squadron, is to sail in the centre or middle of the fleet. The rear-admiral, and the ships of his squadron, is to bring up the rear. But sometimes other divisions are made; and those composed of the lighter ships and the best sailors, are placed as wings to the van, centre, and rear.

Fleet is also a noted prison in London, where persons are committed for contempt of the king and his laws, particularly of his courts of justice; or for debt, where any person will not, or is unable to pay his creditors.

There are large rules and a warden belonging to the fleet prison, which had its name from the float or fleet of the river or ditch, on the side whereof it stands.