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The Order of the Redeemer.
A revived Templar Order
founded
1914
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The History of the Order of the Redeemer.
In 1892 a branch of the Portuguese Templar Order "The Order
of Christ" was organised by a Knight Commander of the
Order, Sir Francis Vane, at the Temple in London, with the
express permission of the King of Portugal. This was the
first meeting of Templar Knights there since the
suppression of the Order in England in the fourteenth
century. Associates were enrolled in England expanding the
influence of the Organisation.
Sir Francis Vane had become the Grand Scoutmaster of the
British Boy Scouts, which had affiliate Groups not only in
the Empire but in such countries as the USA, France and
Italy. This was quite a separate organisation from
Baden-Powell's organisation. In 1911 , this World
organisation was formed into a Chivalric Order "The Order
of World Scouts". The date of 11th November 1911 was
deliberately chosen for the launch of the new order of
'knights' and coincided and echoed the 11th November 1100
which marked the successful conclusion of the first Crusade
when Baldwin of Boulogne assumed the title of King of
Jerusalem, establishing a Christian Kingdom ruled by the
Crusader Knights in the Holy Land, which led to the
creation of the Knights Templar. Sir Francis Vane had given
further expression to his involvement with the Order of
Christ.
In 1914, the Reverend Albert Jones Knighton had taken over
from Sir Francis Vane as Grand Scoutmaster of the British
Boy Scouts/Order of World Scouts, and gave a more definite
expression to the inspiration of the "Order of Christ" on
the Scout chivalric Order, giving it the name of the
"Order of
the Redeemer".
The membership of the Order was once only open to BBS
Scoutmasters, but has been opened to all Scoutmasters.
Scoutmasters who join take the rank of "Knight Companion",
allowing by custom within the Order of World Scout
fraternity, the post nominals "K.C.O.R.". For ladies who
are ranked as "Dames", the post nominals "D.C.O.R." are
used.
From 1914 onwards, the Grand Scoutmasters of the BBS/OWS
have also been the Grandmasters of the "Order of the
Redeemer".
The Order of
the Redeemer is legally a fraternal organisation for Scout
Leaders, and is not , and does not claim to be a Royal, or
a State Order of Chivalry.
The Moral
Code of the Knights and Dames of the Order:
1. I will, to the best of my ability, seek to set an
example of patience, caring and unselfishness.
2. I will, as far as possible, be a true friend to all my
comrades, or the young in any way entrusted to my care.
3. I will help those in need, comfort those in sorrow, and
by a holy life, seek to set an example of godly living.
4. I will treat all my comrades around me, anywhere, rich
or poor, with equal kindness.
5. I acknowledge that the only hope of heaven is through
the life, death, and resurrection of Christ the Redeemer.
6. I will devote my life, in guiding others, away from
paths of evil, into lives that are pleasing to God.
Motto of the
Order:
Amicus Humani Generis - Friend of the Human Race.
Membership is open to all serving and retired Scout
Leaders, and costs £100 sterling for life membership. On
receipt of the application form and the subscription, a
membership certificate will be sent, along with a cloth
badge, which can be sewn onto the Scout Uniform (if allowed
by the Association to which the member belongs).
The income from membership money is allocated as follows;
6% administration of the scheme (badge, certificate,
postage); 20% historical research into Scouting and
Chivalry; 44% to support the BBS/OWS; 30% for grants to be
given to Scout Troops for various purposes, especially
troops in poor areas and open to all Scout Troops of all
organisations but with the final decisions left in the
hands of the BBS Trustees.
Application form: Order of the Redeemer. 
