Governing Body, Headquarters & Eligibility Requirements
| Order / Jurisdiction Title | The United Religious, Military and Masonic Orders of the Temple and of St John (Knights Templar & Malta) |
|---|---|
| Governing Body in the UK | Great Priory of the United Religious, Military and Masonic Orders of the Temple and of St John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta |
| UK Headquarters | Mark Masons' Hall, 86 St James's Street, London, SW1A 1PL |
| Candidate Prerequisite | Must be a Master Mason, a Royal Arch Companion, and profess the Trinitarian Christian faith. |
Degrees Worked & Symbolic Working Tools
Each ceremony within Knights Templar & Malta dramatises a specific episode of scriptural or chivalric allegory and entrusts the candidate with symbolic working tools:
| Degree / Ceremony | Moral & Historical Focus | Symbolic Working Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Knight of the Temple (Knight Templar) | Symbolic pilgrimage, penance, and defence of the Christian faith. | Sword, Buckler, and Pilgrim's Staff. |
| Knight of St Paul (Mediterranean Pass) & Knight of Malta | Hospitaller charity, St Paul's shipwreck on Melita (Malta), and the eight-pointed Amalfi Cross. | Oar, Sword, and Octagonal Maltese Cross. |
Historical Development in Britain
Chivalric Templar rituals were worked alongside Royal Arch Encampments in Bristol, Portsmouth, York, and Ireland by the 1770s. Great Priory in England and Wales was constituted in 1791 under Thomas Dunckerley as the first Grand Master.
Official Apron, Sash & Breast Jewel Regulations
Regalia & Dress Guidelines for Knights Templar & Malta
Members wear a white mantle and tunic embellished with a red Passion or Patonce cross, a woven crusader belt and sword, a black silk sash, and a star/cross jewel.
Need regulation aprons, breast jewels, or signet rings for Knights Templar & Malta? Explore our UK Masonic Regalia, Jewels & Signet Rings Hub.
Related Masonic Symbols & Ritual Guides
All-Seeing Eye of Providence
Often surrounded by an equilateral triangle or a burst of solar glory, the All-Seeing Eye (or Eye of Providence) is an ancient Renaissance and Biblical emblem adopted by 18th-century Freemasons to remind Brethren that every thought, word, and action is observed by the Great Architect of the Universe.
The Blazing Star
Situated at the centre of the chequered black-and-white Mosaic Pavement or within the Tessellated Border of the Lodge, the Blazing Star represents Divine Providence, the sun enlightening the earth, and prudent conduct amidst the shifting fortunes of human life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Knights Templar & Malta
Are Masonic Knights Templar connected to the medieval Knights Templar?
Modern Masonic historians confirm there is no proven institutional link to the historical medieval order dissolved in 1312; rather, 18th-century Freemasons incorporated chivalric Templar allegory into moral and Christian ceremonies.