History

Who was St. George?

A great deal of information on St. George is available on the internet, but in summary:

St. George is the Patron Saint of England, venerated as one of the 14 Auxiliary Saints, or Holy Helpers, and is understood to have been an early Christian martyr. There is no actual evidence of George’s life or deeds, but tradition holds that he was a Roman soldier and was tortured and decapitated under Diocletian’s persecution of Christians in 303, AD. The legend of George’s “slaying of the dragon” persists, is linked to the ideals of chivalry, and is often depicted artistically as a knight in armour adorned by a scarlet cross.

Recommended References:

www.britannica.com

www.wikipedia.com

The Original Order of St. George

The Order of St. George traces its roots to the Fraternal Society of Knighthood of St. George which was founded by King Károly Róbert of Hungary, and which is believed to be the most ancient of the chivalric orders, or confraternal orders, that were created as royal institutions independent of the church. While the precise date of its foundation is not known, the Society is believed to have been in existence on April 23rd, St. George’s Day, in 1326. Historians suggest that although the Society had a political role, it also functioned as an institutional embodiment of the ideals of chivalry within the court of the King. Since that time, the Order has persisted primarily in Europe for almost 700 years and is known for its charitable works and its links to the selflessness of military service.

* also known as Charles I of Hungary, Charles Robert, Charles Robert of Anjou; b: 1288, Naples, Italy; d: 16 July 1342, Visegrád, Hungary)

Recommended reading:

Boulton, D’Arcy J.D. The Knights of the Crown – The Monarchical Orders of Knighthood in Later Medieval Europe 1325-1520. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1987.

The Order of St. George traces its roots to the Fraternal Society of Knighthood of St. George which was founded by King Károly Róbert of Hungary, and which is believed to be the most ancient of the chivalric orders, or confraternal orders, that were created as royal institutions independent of the church. While the precise date of its foundation is not known, the Society is believed to have been in existence on April 23rd, St. George’s Day, in 1326. Historians suggest that although the Society had a political role, it also functioned as an institutional embodiment of the ideals of chivalry within the court of the King. Since that time, the Order has persisted primarily in Europe for almost 700 years and is known for its charitable works and its links to the selflessness of military service.

* also known as Charles I of Hungary, Charles Robert, Charles Robert of Anjou; b: 1288, Naples, Italy; d: 16 July 1342, Visegrád, Hungary)

The Original Order of St. George

The Order in Canada and the Americas

On March 1st, 2003, The Grand Priory of Canada and the Americas was consecrated at Christ Church in Niagara Falls, Ontario by our Founder, Chevalier Gareth Green, a Knight in the United Kingdom Order of St. George. On that date, 16 Postulants were invested as the first Knights and Dames of the Niagara Priory, with Chevalier Green appointed as our first Grand Prior.

By 2005, The Order had grown to encompass a second Priory in Toronto. Eventually, the membership decided to expand the purpose of The Order beyond its original establishment as a recognition order to become a working order, and to raise funds for good works. In line with its evolving purpose, The Order sought incorporation in January 2007, and the incorporation of its charitable arm, The International Knightly Order of St. George, in January 2013.

From its original complement of 16 members in the Niagara Priory, The Order has developed considerably both in membership and in organization. In 2021, there are 300 Knights and Dames across Canada and the United States, grouped into Priories and Buries from east to west coasts, led now by a Grand Prior and the respective Priors, and managed by the Boards of Directors of both The Order and its Foundation.

History

Who was St. George?

The Original Order of St. George

The Original Order of St. George

The Order in Canada and the Americas

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