The Ancient and Venerable, Sovereign and Independent
Order of St. Andrew of Jerusalem
Invites Membership Inquiries
from men and women of Good Character
to whom the traditional values of Chivalry
and Service to the Community
have an enduring meaning


The origins of the Order date back to the period of 1220-1232 A.D., when a Confraternity was established in the City of Acre, of the then Crusader Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem (occupying approximately the same territory as the modern state of Israel) to protect pilgrims and merchants.

This Confraternity, consisting of burgesses and knights of largely French heritage, met in the City's Castle - and chose the Holy Apostle, St. Andrew, as their Patron. They constituted themselves as a Crusading Order of Knights with the object of resisting tyranny and protecting public safety.

During the turmoil of the Sixth Crusade, these worthies of the Order defended the poor, the sick and the weak from adversaries. In the best traditions of the Military and Religious Orders of the time, they founded their lives on prayer, charity, service and protection.

At about this time, possession of Acre was being contested by the Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick II, operating from his base in Sicily. Through his marriage to Yolande (also called Isabella) daughter of John of Brienne, a leading Crusader, the Emperor had become embroiled in the affairs of the Crusader States. The Emperor sent an unauthorised fleet of ships against Acre in 1227, whereupon the Knights and Officers of the Order of St. Andrew of Jerusalem appealed to Pope Gregory IX, who excommunicated the Emperor for this action.

During the subsequent negotiations with the Muslims by the Emperor Frederick, the Knights of St. Andrew remained aloof. Though some progress for the Crusaders appeared at first to have been made, their adherence to treaty commitments made at that time eventually enabled an army of Kwarizmian Turks in the pay of the Sultan of Egypt, to crush the remaining Crusader enclaves, by about 1244.

It was at about this juncture that the existing historical records of the Knights of St. Andrew were lost. It is speculated that the records may have been transported to Byzantium in the hope of safekeeping, only to be lost yet again when that city fell to the Turks in 1453.

Now re-constituted, the Order has, under the current Grand Master, The Prince DOUGLAS, St. Michel de Clermont, promulgated a revised Rule of Life and Constitution; the Order retains its original ideals and religious character, but without requiring membership or adherence to any specific communion or denomination.

Membership is open to Applicants who Swear by their Honour to uphold the traditional ideals of Chivalry and to add Lustre by their actions to the Order of St. Andrew of Jerusalem.

---

Now reconstituted, the Order of St. Andrew of Jerusalem offers to applicants the following certificates of investiture, each name and rank being beautifully hand inscribed by our heraldic artist.

Each 17.5" x 23" (44cm x 59cm) Certificate is personally signed by the Grand Master, Baron de Clermont, and is handsomely Sealed.

Insignia of The Order of St.Andrew of Jerusalem

Condecorations of a Knight Grand Commander

(More information on Insignia & Condecorations can be found on the Main Index Page)