Story of the Red Flowered Cross with the White Scallop Shell at Its Centre

From its founding at Acre in July 1191, the Knights of Saint Thomas originally bore a simple red cross, similar in design to that of the Knights Templar. However, due to the increasing confusion between the two orders, the Templars in 1236 petitioned Pope Gregory IX, requesting that the emblem of the Knights of Saint Thomas be altered to preserve the distinct identity of each order. At the Pope’s direction, the emblem of the Hospitallers of St Thomas of Canterbury at Acre was revised: the plain red cross was replaced by a red cross with a white centre, distinguishing it clearly from that of the Templars.

Following the fall of Acre in 1291, the surviving knights returned to England and established themselves in London. In the years that followed, the order adopted a new insignia: a red flowered cross with a white scallop shell at its heart. This emblem came to embody both the spiritual and cultural essence of the order. The red cross symbolises the martyrdom of Saint Thomas Becket, the order’s patron saint, while the white scallop shell reflects the enduring tradition of pilgrimage to his shrine at Canterbury – one of the most frequented pilgrimage destinations of medieval Christendom.

This historic insignia (red cross with white scallop) continues to be used by our noble brotherhood nowadays. It is protected by copyright and may not be used by any other organisation within the United Kingdom. For us, this emblem represents not only our unique identity, but also our solemn commitment to preserving the legacy and chivalric spirit of the English Crusaders.