The full title of this Order is – The United Religious, Military and Masonic Orders of the Temple and of St John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta, in England and Wales and Provinces Overseas. The Order is administered by the Chancery of the Orders in London.

The earliest reference to the United Religious, Military and Masonic Orders of the Temple occurred at around 1777, but it was not until 1845 that the ritual was standardised and the order steadily expanded. Today there are nearly 700 Preceptories on the roll of The Great Priory of England and Wales and Provinces Overseas. Whilst there is no claim to any historical connection to the medieval Military Orders of this name, the ritual is based around its history and exploits and the "Rule" of the Order given to them by the Pope.

Meetings of the Order are held in a Preceptory and presided over by a Preceptor. The regalia is impressive, and is based on the costume of our medieval counterparts: it comprises of a mantle, tunic, cap, sash, cross, star, belt, sword and black gloves.

This degree commemorates the actions of a band of knights who were granted refuge within the sacred precincts of King Solomon's Temple by Baldwin II, King of Jerusalem in 1118. A candidate for installation is admitted in the character and garb of a pilgrim and is required, symbolically, to undergo a period of pilgrimage and warfare culminating in taking the vows of a Knight Templar. Having conducted himself courageously, he is then instructed how penance and meditation will prepare him for Christian knighthood. Finally he is received, clothed, armed and proclaimed a Knight of the Temple.

Once a Knight is a member of the KT Order he is eligible to join the Masonic Order of St John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta, and thereby become a member of the United Orders. Before receiving 'the Malta degree', a short introductory degree of Knight of St Paul is conferred, based on the history of St Paul and his journey to the island of Malta. Candidates for the Knights of Malta are then given 'the Mediterranean pass' so that pilgrims might distinguish one another from those who tried to bar their passage to the Holy Land. The main Malta ceremony takes place in a Chapter House of the Order, and during the ceremony, the history of the Order is explained, including the merger with the Order of the Knights Templar and their arrival at Malta in 1530.

In the Order of Malta a red tunic, black mantle, and a black cap is worn, each bearing a white Maltese Cross, together with a separate Malta jewel. However, a Knight of Malta can generally use the Knight Templar Regalia, minus the Knight Templar specific items of the sash, star, and Knight Templar jewel. The common items of regalia shared between the two Orders are the belt, sword and black gloves

The Orders give considerable support to the St. John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital, a charitable foundation of the non-Masonic, Venerable Order of St. John.

A brother wishing to be installed as a Knight of the Order must be a Master Mason, a Companion of the Royal Arch and profess the Trinitarian Christian Faith. Further details can be obtained by contacting any of the Bro. Knights listed in the membership rolls of the Preceptories of the Province, or by contacting the Provincial Vice-Chancellor.

Contact Vice-Chancellor