A Modern Christian Order of Chivalry in England
An order of chivalry in England – also called an order of knights, chivalric order, or knightly order – is a structured Christian community bound by a sacred code, dedicated to faith, service, and noble values. Rooted in the concept of monachus et miles – monk and warrior – these knightly orders combined religious devotion with military service, dedicating themselves to Christian causes.
The earliest knightly orders were religious institutions safeguarding and assisting pilgrims to the Holy Land. They lived communally under vows of poverty, obedience, and chastity, while also defending pilgrims and Christianity itself.
Medieval orders of chivalry were established only through official papal recognition, exemption from diocesan control, and approval of their unique rule. A genuine knightly order was more than a military brotherhood – it was a sacred fellowship bound by honour, faith, and charity.
Today, the world still needs the moral clarity and compassion that defined medieval knights. Chivalry is not a relic of the past – it is a living tradition. Our Christian knightly order in England preserves that noble heritage and adapts it to serve society today.
A Knightly Order Reborn
Welcome to the Hospitallers of Saint Thomas of Canterbury, also known as the Knights of Saint Thomas – a revived order of chivalry that carries forward one of England’s oldest knightly traditions. Inspired by the brotherhood founded originally in the Holy Land in 1191 in honour of Saint Thomas Becket, our modern fellowship is patriotic, ecumenical, non-political, and non-Masonic, open to Christians of all denominations across the United Kingdom.
As a Christian order of chivalry in England, we honour the legacy of the English crusaders, adapting their noble ideals to today’s spiritual and social needs.
Our Mission as a Modern Chivalric Order
What began in July 1191 as care for the sick and wounded warriors continues today as a living tradition of charity, faith, and service. Inspired by the martyrdom of Saint Thomas Becket, we dedicate ourselves to:
- Preserving English chivalric heritage
- Supporting St Thomas’ Hospital in London
- Honouring veterans and the armed forces
- Assisting the poor and homeless
- Promoting chivalric values through education and community events
Our brotherhood brings together people who believe in the enduring power of chivalry, Christian faith, and moral duty.
The Code of Chivalry: Seven Core Virtues
Our knights and dames uphold the timeless code of chivalry through seven virtues:
- Courage – Bravery in the face of adversity
- Honour – Integrity and truthfulness
- Justice – Protecting the innocent and acting fairly
- Mercy – Compassion towards all
- Generosity – Giving freely without expecting reward
- Faith – Loyalty to God and Christian ideals
- Nobility – Living with dignity and humility
These virtues guide us as modern Christian knights serving England and the wider Church.
Knighthood in the Modern Age
Membership follows a spiritual and charitable progression from Novice to Grand Cross, marked by ceremonies, traditions, and the insignia of our order – the white cloak with the red cross and shell.
Knighthood in our organization is not about social status but about living with integrity, service, and faith. Our members form an elite Christian fellowship of knights and dames in England, dedicated to preserving noble values in modern society.
Join Our Noble Order of Knights in England
If you feel called to serve, to deepen your faith, and to live by honour and charity, we welcome you. Our order is more than an organisation – it is a living knightly order of Christians united by sacred tradition and noble purpose.
Begin your journey with us. Discover the path of modern knighthood in England, live the virtues of chivalry, and carry forward a legacy of faith, service, and honour.