An Order of Chivalry, a Tradition of Medieval Knights and English Crusaders

An order of chivalry, historically known as an order of knights, represents the noble heritage of medieval knights and English crusaders who upheld faith, honour, courage, and sacred duty. Rooted in the dual ideal of monk and warrior, the Hospitallers of Acre devoted their lives to prayer, protection, and service — defending pilgrims, safeguarding Christian virtue, and supporting communities across England and the Holy Land.

The earliest orders of chivalry emerged in the Holy Land during the Crusades, where crusaders combined religious devotion with military discipline. Living under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, these medieval knights protected the weak and served the Church. Papal recognition established their brotherhoods as true religious institutions under canon law, laying the foundation for the historic knightly orders that shaped Western Christendom.

Chivalry: A Living Tradition of the Crusaders

Welcome to the Hospitallers of Saint Thomas of Canterbury, often called the Knights of Saint Thomas — a revived modern order of chivalry that preserves the sacred heritage of England’s medieval crusaders and hospitallers.

We are a living bridge between medieval knighthood and the modern world, upholding the timeless virtues of devotion, commitment, and honour. The story of our order begins in the heart of the Crusades, when English knights journeyed to the Holy Land to protect Christian pilgrims and defend sacred sites.

Founded in July 1191 and inspired by Saint Thomas Becket, the Hospitallers of Saint Thomas of Canterbury at Acre became one of England’s earliest Christian orders of knighthood. Dedicated not only to combat but also to compassion, they tended the wounded, supported the poor, and defended the vulnerable. From the Crusader States of Jerusalem to hospitals in medieval England, the Hospitallers embodied the highest ideals of chivalry.

Continuing the Legacy of Medieval Knights in a Modern Order of Chivalry

Today, the revived Order of Saint Thomas of Canterbury continues that legacy — not through warfare, but through Christian service, charity, and civic responsibility.

Our modern order of chivalry is structured according to traditional knightly ranks and guided by the moral principles that defined every true chivalric order. Our mission reflects the values of both medieval hospitallers and modern Christian knights.

Our Mission Includes:

• Supporting St Thomas’ Hospital and charitable causes
• Honouring veterans and members of the armed forces
• Offering charity to those in need across England
• Educating others about knighthood and chivalric tradition
• Building Christian fellowship inspired by medieval hospitallers
• Fostering an elite community of faithful, like-minded individuals

By preserving this heritage, our knightly order keeps alive the spirit of medieval knights and the enduring values of English crusaders.

The Seven Core Virtues of Our Hospitallers

Every true order of chivalry is guided by a moral code — a compass for living with courage, justice, and selflessness. Our Hospitallers uphold seven core virtues that shaped the medieval crusaders and hospitaller knights:

• Courage – bravery in defending truth and faith
• Honour – integrity, discipline, and loyalty
• Justice – protecting the innocent and upholding righteousness
• Mercy – compassion, forgiveness, and kindness
• Generosity – giving selflessly to the needy
• Faith – loyalty to God, the Church, and fellow knights
• Nobility – humility, dignity, and moral excellence

These virtues are not simply historical ideals — they remain an active guide for every knight and dame within our modern order of chivalry in the United Kingdom.

Just as medieval knighthood was a sacred calling rather than a privilege of birth, so too is membership within our order of chivalry earned through devotion, integrity, and Christian service.

Join the Christian Knights of England

The Hospitallers of Saint Thomas of Canterbury are more than a historical memory. We are a modern Christian order of chivalry active throughout England, united in the service of God, Church, and country.

We welcome members from all recognised Christian denominations. As an ecumenical, non-political, non-Masonic, and non-profit fellowship, we follow Christian ethics and uphold the honourable traditions of medieval knighthood.

Our mission continues the ancient calling of the crusaders and hospitallers of Acre — to heal, to help, and to protect. Not with the sword, but with compassion, charity, and Christian duty.

If you feel called to:

• Serve the poor and vulnerable
• Support your parish and community
• Deepen your Christian faith
• Live by the ideals of honour and chivalry

… then you may be called to join our modern order of knights in England.

Embrace the Legacy of Medieval Knighthood

Chivalry is not a relic of the past. For us, it is a living path.

To join our Hospitallers in the 21st century is to embrace the same virtues that guided the Christian knights of old: humility, duty, courage, faith, and neighbourly love.

Our order of chivalry bridges the medieval and modern worlds — preserving the noble ideals of the crusader orders while serving contemporary needs through Christian charity and moral leadership. True knighthood is rooted not in rank or ceremony but in a life dedicated to virtue and service.

As guardians of this heritage, we carry the torch of Christian chivalry into the modern age, bringing the light of faith and honour into a world often dimmed by selfishness.

Join Us and Begin Your Journey

Discover the path of modern knighthood in England, embrace the virtues of chivalry, and help preserve the noble legacy of England’s medieval knights, crusaders, and hospitallers.