The Legacy of Crusaders and Knights Hospitallers in England
The Meaning of Knighthood in the Middle Ages
An order of chivalry in England, also known as an order of knights or order of knighthood, was a sacred community of crusaders bound by faith, service, and noble values. Rooted in the medieval concept of monachus et miles – monk and warrior – the medieval knights combined religious devotion with military service. These medieval knights and hospitallers dedicated themselves to defending Christianity, protecting pilgrims, and living by the sacred code of chivalry.
The earliest orders of chivalry such as the Hospitallers of St John or Knights Templar were religious institutions safeguarding pilgrims on their way to the Holy Land. Unlike ordinary warriors, these knights lived under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, while embodying the ideals of knighthood in the Middle Ages.
A true order of knights required papal recognition and functioned as both a military brotherhood and a spiritual fellowship of crusaders devoted to faith, honour, and charity. Even today, these orders of medieval knights inspire modern societies. The ideals of chivalry – courage, honour, faith, and compassion – remain relevant as guiding principles for service, justice, and moral duty.
A Knightly Order Reborn – A tradition of the Crusaders
Welcome to the Hospitallers of Saint Thomas of Canterbury, also called Knights of Saint Thomas, one of England’s oldest Christian institution - revived as an order of chivalry. Inspired by the Hospitallers of Saint Thomas of Canterbury at Acre, founded originally in the Holy Land in 1191 in honour of Saint Thomas Becket, our modern order of knights embody the union of Christian faith and knightly service.
Today, our modern order of knights in England continues that legacy. We are patriotic, ecumenical, non-political, non-masonic and open to Christians of all denominations. By adapting the noble ideals of medieval knights and English crusaders to contemporary needs, we stand as a beacon of service, faith, and heritage.
Our Mission – Continuing the Legacy of Medieval Knights
What began in July 1191 with caring for sick and wounded crusaders continues today as a living tradition of faith and service. Our order of knighthood in England is structured with knightly ranks and governed by traditions rooted in the medieval code of chivalry.
Our mission is to emulate the values of old knights hospitallers by engaging in charitable and spiritual service:
- Preserving English chivalric heritage
- Supporting St Thomas’ Hospital in London
- Honouring veterans and the armed forces
- Assisting the poor and homeless
- Promoting the values of chivalry through education and community events
We believe that knighthood in the Middle Ages is not just history – it is a living tradition guiding us to serve society with compassion, faith, and justice.
The Crusaders’ Code of Chivalry – Seven Core Virtues of our Knights Hospitallers
Every knight of our order follows the timeless crusaders’ code of chivalry. These seven virtues connect medieval knights and English crusaders to modern Christian values:
- Courage – Bravery in adversity
- Honour – Integrity and truthfulness
- Justice – Defending the innocent
- Mercy – Compassion towards all
- Generosity – Giving freely without reward
- Faith – Loyalty to God and Christian ideals
- Nobility – Dignity with humility
These knightly virtues embody the very spirit of knighthood in the Middle Ages, ensuring that chivalry is not a forgotten relic but a living moral compass for today’s world.
Knighthood in the Modern Age – A Living Order of Chivalry in England
In today’s secular and materialistic world, our order of chivalry revives the spirit of the Knights Hospitallers at Acre. For us, knighthood is not about status, but about service, faith, and charity. Membership in our order of chivalry in England progresses from Novice to Grand Cross, marked by ceremonies, insignia, and the traditional white cloak adorned with the red cross and white shell in its centre.
By joining, you become part of an modern knightly fellowship – a community of men and women united by Christian faith, charity, and the noble ideals of medieval knights.
Join Our Modern Order of Knights in England
If you feel called to live by honour, faith, and service, we invite you to join our order of knights hospitallers. We are more than a charitable organisation – we are a living continuation of the English crusaders’ tradition, keeping alive the noble ideals of knighthood in the Middle Ages.
By joining, you will:
- Carry forward the heritage of the Hospitallers of Saint Thomas of Canterbury at Acre
- Serve society through charity and compassion
- Preserve the noble values of chivalry
- Become part of a historic and spiritual knightly tradition
Apply now and begin your journey with the Knights Hospitallers of Saint Thomas of Canterbury – a living order of chivalry in England where faith, service, and honour remain eternal.