Roots in England

By the middle of the twelfth century a Priory was flourishing in England. The first English Knights Hospitallers were probably recruited during the time of Raymond du Puy’s Mastership of the Order. In 1144, the present headquarters facilities of the Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem at Clerkenwell were donated to the Order by Jordan of Bricett (or Briset).   The English Priory of the Order flourished and expanded its work until its dissolution during the reign of Henry VIII, when its properties and headquarters at Clerkenwell were confiscated by the Crown.

 

The English Priory of the Order did not regain its recognition and properties until the 1860’s. Under the leadership of the Duke of Manchester (Prior from 1861-1888), the Order returned to the work that originally secured it a place in the life of England, and this led to its Royal recognition by Queen Victoria as a Royal Order of Chivalry in 1888. The Sovereign of Great Britain and Northern Ireland -- currently Queen Elizabeth II -- serves as Sovereign Head of the Order, while a member of the Royal Family holds the position of Grand Prior of the Order.  Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, is now the Grand Prior.

Information concerning the Queen and the Duke of Gloucester can be found here. 

For information about the Order in England, see: www.orderofstjohn.org.