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Title Knight of Grace badge, Sovereign Order of St John of Jerusalem
Nationality Maltese
Period c 1914
Sold

This superb order, complete with its original black silk neck ribbon and Brussels jeweller's case of issue, is of unmarked silver and enamel construction. It would have been given as a decoration to a serving member of the Order who had distinguished himself on their behalf. The order traces its ancestry directly to the Knights Hospitallers.

The Knights Hospitallers guarded the pilgrim routes to the Holy Land and, indeed, operated hospitals in Outremer (the old name for Palestine). The order moved from Outremer to Cyprus on its expulsion from Palestine by the Muslims as the Christian empire in the East collapsed in the 13th century. It then moved to Rhodes, and finally to Malta in 1520, after a long siege, finally being allowed by the Turks to relocate, with all its arms and equipment, as part of the surrender terms. It still functions as a charitable order of the Roman Catholic church and, indeed, has an embassy in Rome.

If you want to comment on this item—re quality, age, etc—please email me.


[Militaria : Medals : Maltese : 20th Century]

testimonials

The parcel has well arrived. Thank you for the nice bayonet.

It goes well with my collection.

O Z, Germany, 09.03.2020

Thank you. I received your letter and ammo pouch.

Very nice!

Thank you very much.

N T, Japan, 01.11.2012

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