Order of Knights of St. Thomas of Canterbury - Page 80
Endnote
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Citations
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Author’s note:
Akkor, Acon are the original names for a city still in existence today being Acre, within these pages I may switch between names.
Many will recognise some of the name’s given as prominent Knights of the Templar Orders. However, in my research I have discovered at the Templars and Order of St. Thomas worked closely together and took orders from the Templar grand masters.
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Introduction – Who as St. Thomas Becket
Saint Thomas Becket, also known as Thomas à Becket, was born in 1118
or 1120 in Cheapside, London, to Gilbert and Matilda Becket. He was the son of a prosperous merchant and received a good education in London before studying in Paris and Bologna. He eventually became a clerk and financial administrator for Theobald, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who sent him to study canon law in Bologna and Auxerre. Becket became well-versed in ecclesiastical and secular law, and his talents and connections propelled him to high office.
In 1154, King Henry II appointed Becket as Chancellor of England, a position of great power and influence. Becket and Henry developed a close friendship, and Becket became known for his lavish and luxurious lifestyle.
However, in 1162, to the surprise of many, Henry nominated Becket to be the new Archbishop of Canterbury, the most senior ecclesiastical position in England.
Upon his consecration as Archbishop, Becket underwent a radical transformation. He embraced a life of humility, piety, and religious devotion, which put him at odds with King Henry II. Becket began to prioritize the interests of the Church over those of the crown, leading to a bitter and protracted conflict with the king over the rights and privileges of the Church.
This conflict came to a head when Becket excommunicated several of the king’s supporters. In a moment of frustration, Henry II reportedly uttered the infamous words, “Will no one rid me of this troublesome priest?” Taking this as a command, four knights loyal to the king journeyed to Canterbury and murdered Becket in Canterbury Cathedral on December 29, 1170.
Becket’s murder shocked medieval Europe and led to his rapid canonization as a martyr. His shrine at Canterbury Cathedral became a major pilgrimage site, and he was venerated as a saint. His feast day is celebrated on December 29. The cult of St. Thomas Becket grew rapidly, and he was venerated as a powerful intercessor and a champion of the church’s rights and privileges. Pilgrims flocked to Canterbury to seek healing, forgiveness, and spiritual solace at his shrine, and many miracles were attributed to his intercession.
The popularity of the cult of St. Thomas Becket continued to grow throughout the medieval period, and his influence extended beyond England to continental Europe. His martyrdom and sanctity were 6
celebrated in art, literature, and religious devotion, and he became one of the most revered saints in Christendom.
In the 12th and 13th centuries, various religious and military orders were founded in honour of St. Thomas Becket. One of these was the Order of the Knights of St. Thomas of Acon, also known as the Order of St. Thomas of Acon, which was established in the late 12th century in Acre, the capital of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.
The Order of St. Thomas of Acon was originally founded as a military order, similar to the Knights Templar and the Knights Hospitaller, with the purpose of protecting Christian pilgrims and defending the Holy Land.
However, unlike the other military orders, the primary focus of the Order of St. Thomas of Acon was the veneration of St. Thomas Becket and the support of his cult.
The Order maintained chapels and hospices dedicated to St. Thomas Becket, and its members participated in religious ceremonies and processions in honour of the saint. The order also provided assistance and support to pilgrims visiting the shrine of St. Thomas Becket in Canterbury.
The Order of St. Thomas of Acon continued to exist for several centuries, enduring through the tumultuous events of the Crusades and the later Middle Ages. Although it never achieved the prominence of the more well-known military orders, it played a significant role in perpetuating the cult of St. Thomas Becket and promoting his veneration among Christians in the Holy Land and beyond.
Overall, the cult of St. Thomas Becket remained a potent force in medieval religious life, inspiring devotion, pilgrimage, and the establishment of religious institutions dedicated to his memory, such as the Order of St.
Thomas of Acon.
The story of Thomas Becket has been the subject
of numerous works of art, literature, and drama,
including the famous play “Murder in the
Cathedral” by T.S. Eliot. His life and death
continue to be remembered and studied as a
powerful example of the struggle between church
and state, the clash of conflicting loyalties, and
the enduring power of martyrdom and religious
conviction.
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Timeline of The Order of St. Thomas of Acon
The Hospitaller Order of St. Thomas of Acon, a lesser-known branch of the Knights Hospitaller, has a rich history intertwined with the Crusades, royal and papal decrees, and the acquisition of holdings by the Mercers. Here’s a timeline capturing key events from the founding of the order onwards:
1180: The Hospitaller Order of St. Thomas of Acon is founded in Acre, a major city of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem, as a fraternity of Knights Templar and Hospitallers dedicated to the aid of pilgrims and the defence of the Holy Land.
1187: The Battle of Hattin is a significant turning point as Saladin’s forces defeat the Crusader army, leading to the fall of Jerusalem. The loss of the Holy City prompts the Hospitaller Order of St. Thomas of Acon to strengthen its resolve in defending Christian interests in the region.
1191-1192: The Third Crusade, led by King Richard the Lionheart of England, King Philip II of France, and Emperor Frederick I of the Holy Roman Empire, sees the recapture of some territory, including Acre. The Hospitaller Order of St. Thomas of Acon plays a role in the defence and subsequent negotiations for the city’s control.
1204: The Fourth Crusade results in the sack of Constantinople, leading to the establishment of the Latin Empire. This event reshapes the political landscape of the Eastern Mediterranean and influences the activities of the Hospitaller Order of St. Thomas of Acon.
1217-1221: The Fifth Crusade, sanctioned by Pope Honorius III, aims to recapture Jerusalem. The Hospitaller Order of St. Thomas of Acon participates in the campaign, contributing to various battles and sieges in the Holy Land.
1259: King Henry III of England grants the Hospitaller Order of St.
Thomas of Acon the manor of Clerkenwell in London, providing the order with a significant base of operations in England.
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1291: The fall of Acre marks the end of Crusader presence in the Levant, prompting the Hospitaller Order of St. Thomas of Acon to shift its focus to other activities, including charitable works and the acquisition of properties in England.
14th-15th centuries: The Mercers’ Company, a prominent London guild, becomes involved in the support of the Hospitaller Order of St. Thomas of Acon, contributing to the purchase and management of properties and holdings.
1538: King Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries results in the seizure of religious properties in England, including those held by the Hospitaller Order of St. Thomas of Acon. This event significantly impacts the order’s presence and activities in the country.
While the specific activities of the Hospitaller Order of St. Thomas of Acon may not be as widely documented as those of its parent order, the Knights Hospitaller, the order’s history is undoubtedly intertwined with the broader narrative of the Crusades, royal and papal decrees, and the support provided by entities such as the Mercers’ Company.
The Mercers' Christ
This limestone sculpture is owned by the Worshipful Company of Mercers and depicts a life-sized recumbent figure of Christ laid out following his crucifixion. It was discovered beneath the floor of the original Mercers’
chapel in Cheapside during the excavation of this site in 1954 following bomb damage from the Blitz. The artist is unknown, but it is thought that the figure was carved in the late medieval period.
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Legends and Origins: Unravelling the Myths of the
Order’s Founding
When the English Crusade fleet had passed through the British Sea and the Sea of Poitou, and
had come into the Spanish Sea, on Ascension Day [1190], at the third hour a mighty and dreadful
tempest overtook them, and in the twinkling of an eye they were separated from each other. While
the storm was raging, and all in their affliction were calling upon the Lord, the blessed Thomas,
Archbishop of Canterbury and Martyr, appeared at three different times to three different persons
who were on board a London ship in which was William Fitz-Osbert, and Geoffrey the goldsmith,
saying to them,
Be not afraid, for I, Thomas, the archbishop of Canterbury, and the blessed Edmund the Martyr,
and the blessed Nicholas, the Confessor, have been appointed by the Lord guardians of this fleet
of the king of England; and if the men of this fleet will guard themselves against sin, and repent
of their former offenses, the Lord will grant them a prosperous voyage, and will direct their foot.
steps in His paths.” After having thrice repeated these words, the blessed Thomas vanished from
before their eyes, and immediately the tempest ceased, and there was a great calm on the sea.
The Hospitaler Knights of St. Thomas of Acon, also known as the Knights of St. Thomas, have a rich history shrouded in myths and legends. The order, which originated in the 12th century, played a significant role in the Crusades and the defence of the Holy Land. Over the centuries, numerous stories and myths have emerged surrounding the founding and early years of the order, adding to the mystique and allure of the Knights of St. Thomas of Acon. In this chapter, we will explore some of these myths and legends and examine their significance in shaping the identity and legacy of this esteemed order.
Here is perhaps the most well-known story (myth), relating St. Thomas to the Holy Land and perhaps the early origins of the Order of St. Thomas of Acon (Acre)
There are at least three versions of a miracle story in which St Thomas saved an English ship from a storm on the way to the Third Crusade in 1190. In the chronicles of Roger of Hoveden and Roger of Wendover, Thomas appeared in a vision to three Londoners, including William FitzOsbert and Geoffrey Aurifaber (‘Goldsmith’), on the ‘London ship’. He promised them that he, St Edmund, and St Nicholas, arguably the three most popular male saints in late-12th century England, were protecting the entire English fleet. William 10
FitzOsbert himself was to become venerated as an unofficial saint by Londoners after his part in a popular revolt in 1196.
Ralph de Diceto, dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, wrote that his chaplain William fulfilled a vow to St Thomas to found a chapel in Acre as thanks for safe transport over the seas. This was the start of the ‘Order of St Thomas of Acre’
established in Acre in 1191/2 with the backing of King Richard the Lionheart.
It never had more than four houses, and its operations in the Holy Land were hindered by their poverty. The most important house of the order was that founded in London in the 1220s on the site of Thomas Becket’s birth. The name of the Order of St Thomas of Acre may have given rise to the belief that Becket had Syrian heritage, and thus provided the basis for the story of his Middle Eastern mother.
Another according to legend, Thomas Becket, who was known for his piety and devotion to the Church, played a crucial role in establishing the order. It is said that during his exile in France, Becket encountered a group of knights who had been wounded in battle. Touched by their suffering, Becket vowed to create a charitable order dedicated to caring for sick and injured knights. This order would later become known as the Knights of St. Thomas of Acon, in honour of Becket’s legacy.
While this myth has captured the imagination of many, historians have cast doubt on its veracity, citing the lack of concrete evidence to support the claim.
Nevertheless, the legend of Thomas Becket’s involvement in the founding of the order endures as a testament to the order’s commitment to charity and compassion.
Perhaps the most interesting of myths involves Reginald FitzUrse, William de Tracy, Hugh de Morville and Richard le Bret. To many the names may not sound familiar, they are however infamous in being the Knights who in anger assassinated Archbishop Thomas Becket.
After the assassination, the knights were reportedly exiled to the Holy Land as penance for their crime. Legend has it that during their time in the Holy Land, they underwent a profound change of heart. Instead of leading lives of further violence, they supposedly repented and devoted themselves to defending pilgrims and caring for the sick, adopting a more chivalrous and noble path.
The Order of St. Thomas of Acon is a historical and somewhat mysterious order that is said to have been founded in the 12th century, possibly in London. According to legend, the order was established by the repentant knights as a way to atone for their actions and to continue their newfound dedication to serving others. The order was supposedly dedicated to the 11
veneration of St. Thomas Becket and to the care of pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land.
The story also includes the belief that the four knights, after their deaths, were buried at the gateway to Acre (also known as Acon), a prominent city in the Kingdom of Jerusalem. This detail adds to the mystique and legend surrounding the knights’ supposed transformation and their connection to the Holy Land.
It’s important to note that the historical accuracy of these events and the subsequent establishment of the Order of St. Thomas of Acon are matters of debate among historians and scholars. Much of the information about the knights’ post-assassination activities and the order is based on legend and tradition rather than concrete historical evidence. Nonetheless, the story of the repentant knights and their supposed acts of penance has been a compelling part of the enduring legacy of Thomas Becket and the events surrounding his death.
Any scholars and writers on the myth of the Holy Grail associate the story to The Knights Templar. However, The Knights of St. Thomas of Acon have also long been associated with the enduring myth of the Holy Grail, the legendary cup said to have been used by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper. According to some accounts, the order was entrusted with the guardianship of the Holy Grail, embarking on a sacred quest to protect this fabled relic from falling into the wrong hands.
Legends surrounding the order’s connection to the Holy Grail abound, with tales of valiant knights undertaking perilous journeys and facing formidable challenges in their pursuit of the sacred artifact. One popular myth suggests that the Knights of St. Thomas of Acon concealed the Holy Grail within their secret chambers, safeguarding it from those who sought to misuse its divine power.
The association with the Holy Grail has elevated the order to an almost mythical status, imbuing its members with a sense of purpose and destiny.
Whether or not the order truly possessed the Holy Grail, the enduring myth has become an integral part of the order’s identity, symbolizing their unwavering commitment to upholding the values of faith, chivalry, and selflessness.
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Origins and Founding: The Birth of the Hospitaller Order
