A relatively new Order when compared to the Knights Templar’s rich 894 year history, the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar – the GCKT – was constituted in 2010 as a Chivalric Organisation of like-minded individuals who demonstrate the admirable principles & practices of chivalry, honour, integrity, humility, courtesy, wisdom & charity.

So who were the Knights Templar? Originally conceived between Baudouin I, King of Jerusalem, Hugues de Payens and eight fellow noblemen circa 1117, these nine knights (aka “The Poor Knights of Christ”) are chronicled as being charged as protectors of pilgrims who, whilst journeying to the Holy Land, were in mortal danger from Saracen ambush. King Baudouin II gave these men the al-Aqsa mosque and the adjacent area called Solomon’s Stables on the Temple Mount for their headquarters and by 1122, Pope Callistus II officially recognised them as the Sacred and Military Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. In 1129, at the Council of Troyes, the now Knights Templar (named after their headquarters location) were granted their Latin Rule of Order under the guidance of St Bernard of Claivaux.

Notwithstanding a somewhat chequered history, including false accusation and fragmentation of the Order in 1312, it is these rules that this modern day Templar Order models itself upon. Sir Mark Borrington, the Order’s newly elected Grand Master based at GCKT headquarters in London, England, says “the medieval Templar Order ended up with over 650 rules by the turn of the 14th century but in essence, I was able to narrow these down to our modern seven core principles which means, quite simply put, doing the right thing, by yourself and others, and seek the truth at all times”. Mark states that he founded a new Templar Order, alongside eight other individuals to try to show that convictions such as chivalry and honour, commitment and dedication still have a place within the modern world – following exactly on the same principles the original nine noblemen had back in 1117.

Rolls are somewhat different for the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar when compared to their 900 year old predecessors. Thankfully, gone are the days when Templars were charged to take up arms and fight in Holy Wars. Mark goes on to say “The world is packed full of diversity, different ideals, philosophies, good and evil. Our battles today are not military in nature against those who do not happen to follow the same religious beliefs. We are no longer told that it is God\’s will to kill our fellow brothers or sisters. Our modern day battles are more spiritual in nature and we actively fight against hatred, intolerance and prejudice within the world whilst helping our fellow mankind by promoting peaceful co-existence and acts of humanitarian work and aid.”

The Order has been very active in supporting and promoting the Ark