Sword of Knights of St John

Sword of Knights of St. John

Black and Gold finish.

The Knights of St John Sword is a decorative sword inspired by the Order of St John of Jerusalem. The Hospitallers, known officially as "Knights of the Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem," was founded in Jerusalem during the first Crusade by the Italian friar Gerardo da Sasso to assist the pilgrims travelling the Holy Land. His successor, Raymond du Puy, finished the work with the creation of an armed branch composed of crusader knights. The order has also been known as the "Knights of Rhodes", and as the "Sovereign Order of the Knights of Malta." This order was at first a charitable Order, while the Templars were the first military one. With the fall of the Latin kingdom of Jerusalem in 1291, the Knights retired to the island of Rhodes. In 1522 the Turks finally took Rhodes, and the Hospitallers retreated to Malta. Here they remained till 1793, until Napoleon took Malta, and added it to the French Republic. This ended the sovereign power of the Order. While the Knights of St John had to leave Malta, shorn of their old power and great wealth, they still continued on in different countries. The Knights of St John took with them from Malta their precious relics--chief among them being the hand of St. John the Baptist, the miraculous image of Our Lady of Pherlemon, and a fragment of the true cross.

Knights of St. John Sword Features

# Overall Length: 35".
# Blade Length: 26 1/2".
# Blade Material: 440 Stainless Steel; "Knights St. John" engraved.
# Pommel: Knights Helm and a chain guard.
# Handle Material: cast metal.
# Guard: cut out quillon design ; front features eagle in the center ; back features Templar Maltese Cross.
# Scabbard: polished stainless steel with ornate fittings; 3 carrying rings ; Red Maltese Cross
# Beautiful Display Quality Sword

Templar and masonic swords.