The International Knightly Order of Saint George is a confraternity of Knights and Dames who are committed to a life of humility, loyalty and service for the common good. The Fraternal Society of Saint George was developed as one of the first royal and military orders of chivalry, an order which has in recent times, through inspired leadership, advanced internationally.

King Károly Róbert

It was founded over 682 years ago on 23 April 1326 in Višegrad, Hungary, by King Károly Róbert, great-grandson of Charles of Anjou, in the presence of his bishops and courtiers. It is a lay order dedicated to the name of the Blessed Trinity under the particular patronage of Saint George (patron of chivalry). The original foundation documents are preserved in the Hungarian National Archives in Budapest.

The history of most chivalric and religious orders is complicated by the vicissitudes of internal and external politics but they persist where there is a genuine response to the needs of the times prompted by the Spirit. Derivatives of the fraternal society of knighthood inspired by Saint George can be traced all over Europe. In Hungary, the twentieth century foundation the Order of Vitéz was based upon it, but the Knightly Order of Saint George re-emerged in its own right after the fall of communism in 1989. The ceremony in Saint Stephen's Basilica, Budapest, to install the previous Grand Master - the senior judge of Hungary - was attended by the President's representative, the Cardinal Primate and the senior Protestant bishop, as well as numerous politicians. As an annual event it has become part of the state ceremonial tradition involving senior members of the Government, the military and religious hierarchies and people of goodwill from all walks of life.

Throughout the centuries, the deep affection for and cult of Saint George have been part of a living tradition in the hearts and minds of the Hungarian people. This devotion has assisted the Order's survival through turbulent times. Uniquely for a republic, Hungary maintains as a national symbol the Holy Crown of Saint Stephen - the President, ministers of state and officers of the armed forces all take their oath of allegiance to it. In the sixteenth century, when he was Grand Master, Pope Paul III added the image of this crown to the insignia of the Order. In the twentieth century the international Order was officially registered as a charity under English law and was recognised by the International Council of Chivalric Orders.

King Károly Róbert created his knightly society at a time of civil strife and struggles for power in Hungary and used the Knights as a means of restoring order, not least by setting an example of loyalty and good character. The obligations of the original fifty Knights of the royal court were to be faithful and obedient to the King, carrying out works of charity, and to uphold the chivalric code of the Society. Nowadays the members of the International Knightly Order of Saint George observe the same obligations, proving their worthiness by upholding the laws and sound moral traditions of society, by affirming their belief, and by maintaining the spirit of chivalry in the world. This involves encouraging understanding and cooperation between individuals and nations and providing a charitable service to humanity by supporting the underprivileged in hospices, orphanages and homes for the elderly. All members of the Order sustain its work directly by means of an annual oblation and voluntary donations.

Gradually the knightly fraternity is spreading internationally. The Hungarian, United Kingdom, Polish, Serbian and The Netherlands Grand Priories are expanding rapidly with many members being added at each annual investiture.

Over the centuries, governance of the Order has been in the hands of Kings of Hungary, Holy Roman Emperors, Cardinals and a Pope. Its flourishing in our times is due in no small measure to the indomitable personality and skilled leadership of the present Grand Master, His Excellency General Dr Vitéz János Daniel Karászy-Kulin. Now resident in England, the General is a renowned veteran of the 1956 Hungarian uprising, decorated for his courage and highly respected for his ongoing compassion for the needy among his compatriots.