A Brief History of the Order of Saint Thomas: From Acre to the Present Day

Origins in the Holy Land (Founded in Acre, 1191)

The Order of Saint Thomas of Canterbury at Acre was founded in 1191, during the Third Crusade, in the port city of Acre — one of the last Christian strongholds in the Holy Land. Unlike most crusading orders with continental roots, this Order was established by English crusaders and dedicated to Saint Thomas Becket, the martyred Archbishop of Canterbury.Its founding purpose was twofold: to protect pilgrims and to provide care for the sick and wounded, especially those from England. From the very beginning, it carried a national identity, serving both as a military and charitable institution in the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem.

Symbol and Motto

The Order's emblem is a red floriated cross (a cross with flower-like ends), bearing a white scallop shell at its center — a traditional Christian symbol of pilgrimage and purity.Its motto, Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam ("To the Greater Glory of God"), reflects its enduring spiritual mission, rooted in service, humility, and devotion.

Relocation to London After the Fall of Acre

After the fall of Acre in 1291, the Order moved its base of operations to London, where it established its commandery in Cheapside, near the church of Saint Thomas the Martyr. Unlike the Knights Templar, who were later suppressed, the Order of Saint Thomas maintained a peaceful relationship with the English Crown and adapted to its new context.There, the Order focused more on religious charity, education, and support of English Christian life, continuing its mission despite the loss of the Holy Land.

Suppression and Dormancy

Like many religious institutions, the Order suffered during the English Reformation in the 16th century, particularly under the rule of Henry VIII, when monastic and knightly orders were dissolved and stripped of property.Though it ceased to function officially, the memory and values of the Order endured through history, kept alive by chronicles, heraldic tradition, and spiritual descendants.

Modern Revival and Mission

In recent decades, the Order of Saint Thomas of Canterbury has been revived as a spiritual, charitable, and ceremonial community — faithful to its original chivalric and Christian roots, but adapted for the modern world.Today, the Order welcomes Christians of all denominations, fostering ecumenical dialogue, charitable work, and the preservation of Christian heritage. Its mission is no longer military, but it retains its symbolism, structure, and spiritual ideals rooted in the teachings of Saint Thomas Becket.

A Living Tradition of English Chivalry

The Order stands as one of the few surviving chivalric institutions with direct ties to the Crusader period and a specifically English legacy. Its history blends the spiritual discipline of medieval knighthood with the values of modern Christian service and unity.Whether through charity, ceremony, or faith, the Order continues to live out its motto:

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam — To the Greater Glory of God.