Knights of Malta, otherwise called “Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem,” a religious military order, whose residence was in the island of Malta. Some time before the journey of Godfrey of Bouillon into the Holy Land, some Neapolitan merchants built a house for those of their countrymen who came thither on pilgrimage. Afterwards they built a church to St. John, and an hospital for the sick, whence they took the name of “Hospitallers.” In 1104 the order became military, and changed the term “Hospitallers” into that of “Knights Hospitallers.” In 1310 they took Rhodes, and the order was then called “The Knights of Rhodes.” In 1523 they were expelled from Rhodes by the Turks, and took up their residence in Malta.
Knights of Montesa, a Spanish order of knighthood, instituted by James II. of Aragon, in 1317.
Knights of Nova Scotia, in the West Indies, created by James I. of Great Britain. These knights wore a ribbon of an orange tawny color.
Knights of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Chevaliers de l’Ordre de Notre Dame du Mont Carmel), instituted by Henri IV. of France, in 1607, and consisting of a hundred French gentlemen.
N. B.—These knights must not be confounded with the Carmelites or L’Ordre des Carmes, founded by Bertholde, count of Limoges, in 1156; said by legend to have been founded by the prophet Elijah, and to have been revived by the Virgin Mary. The religious house of Carmel was founded in 400 by John, patriarch of Jerusalem, in honor of Elijah, and this gave rise to the legend.
Knights of Rhodes. The “Knights of Malta” were so called between 1310 and 1523. (See Knights of Malta).
Knights of St. Andrew, instituted by Peter the Great, of Moscovy, in 1698. Their badge is a gold medal, having St. Andrew’s cross on one side, with these words, Cazar Pierre monarque de tout le Russie.
Knights of St. Genette (Chevaliers de l’Ordre de St Genette), the most ancient order of knighthood in France, instituted by Charles Martel, after his victory over the Saracens, in 782, where a vast number of genets, like Spanish cats (civet cats), were found in the enemy’s camp.
Knights of St. George. There are several orders so called:
1. St. George of Alfama, founded by the kings of Aragon.