Join the Northumberland Knights Templar

Find the camaraderie you never knew existed

Join the Northumberland Knights Templar and find out how a centuries-old organisation has evolved to uphold all the good traditions in a new world of brotherhood and charity

Provincial Priory of Northumberland

The Order is open to membership by men who are Master Masons and Royal Arch Companions and who profess a belief in the Trinitarian Christian Faith.

Whether you are already a member of the Order, or someone who is contemplating membership and is seeking further information, we hope that you will find this website to be interesting and informative.

Comments or questions concerning membership or the events detailed in the following pages may be directed to the Provincial Vice Chancellor.

Provincial Prior with his senior team in the historic Hexaham Abbey before the start of the Annual Provincial Church Service

Our History

Lindisfarne celebrates its’ Centenary in great style

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The United Religious, Military and Masonic Orders of the Temple and of St. John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta in England and Wales and its Provinces Overseas

About the Masonic Order of the Knights Templar

Early masonic references to the Order of Knights of Malta date from 1777, but the first formal creation of a “Grand Conclave” to govern this and the Templar Degree came about in 1845.

Now known as the United Religious, Military and Masonic Order of the Temple and of St John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta in England and Wales and its Provinces Overseas, the Order is led by the Most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master, presently Most Eminent Knight Paul Raymond Clement, GCT.

The Order has no direct historical connection with the medieval Knights Templar and Knights Hospitaller, but our ceremonies echo their history and ethos.

Members of the Order meet in Preceptories, presided over by an Eminent Preceptor, and with an Officer structure similar to that in Craft Lodges.

A separate, but intimately linked, Order of the Knights of Malta allows the candidate to further his Knightly journey.

Initially receiving the “passing” Degree of Knight of St Paul, he learns of the travels undertaken by St Paul culminating in his arrival on the island of Malta.

Subsequently admitted into a Priory of Malta, he is instructed by the Eminent Prior in a ceremony that details the prolonged struggle against the infidel by the Order of the Knights Hospitaller, from their origins in the Holy Land, across the Mediterranean, and finally settling and heroically defending the island of Malta.

The closing of the Priory brings to his full attention the importance of a serious consideration of and reflection on the Life, Death and Resurrection of our Saviour.

Church service in Northumberland’s historic Brinkburn Abbey, built about 1135

Officers

The RE Provincial Prior, each year at the Annual Meeting in September, appoints and promotes worthy Knights to Provincial rank. Acting Officers hold their appointment for one year, until the next Annual Meeting, and then hold the equivalent Past Rank until such time as they have a promotion conferred upon them.

At the Annual Provincial Malta Meeting in March the following year, Provincial Officers have the equivalent Provincial Malta rank conferred upon them. Officers are designated by the particular design of badge worn on the left side of the mantle, and certain Officers may also have specific collar jewels in addition.

RE Kt Kevin Stannard after his installation as Provincial Prior of Northumberland at the hands of the Most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master Paul Raymond Clement GCT in 2018. In attendance are the Great Priory Installation team and Provincial Sub Prior, E Kt William Bewick.

Our Meetings

The Provincial Priory of Northumberland has three official meetings per year, namely the Annual General Meeting on the third Saturday in September, the Annual Malta Meeting on the second Saturday in March and the Church Service on the third Saturday in May.

Annual General Meeting Knights Templar

Provincial Prior mustered with his seniors Knights and VIP visitors from Germany in Brinkburn Preceptory

Annual Church Service (Hexham Abbey)

Brother Knights, family and friends attending annual Church service in Hexham Abbey. Provincial Body Guard at the ready with Northumberland Banner in the background

Annual Malta Meeting

E.Kt John Wareham and esteemed Eminent Knights of the Malta delegation in Hexham Abbey

Regalia

The regalia is most impressive, taking its pattern from the medieval Knights and comprising a tunic and mantle; cap, sash, belt and sword; and a breast jewel and star of special significance.

The Degree ceremony sees the candidate received into a Knight Templar Preceptory as a Pilgrim, seeking refuge and enlightenment. After a period of figurative pilgrimage and a solemn vow, the candidate is instructed as a Soldier of the Cross. A trial of his courage culminates in a period of meditation and reflection before he is fully received, clothed, armed and proclaimed to be a Knight of the Temple and Holy Sepulchre.