1) What is the Order of Knights of Justice?
The Chivalric Order of Justice has its origin in Great Britain in the tenth century. It is one of the ancient religious dynastic Orders, and is attributed to King Edward (called "The Elder" 900 - 924) from the House of Wessex, who wanted to carry on with the tradition of King Arthur, calling together all his faithful knights around the "Round Table" in the Castle of Kenilworth (Warwickshire-Midlands) leaving to them the defence of the throne and the administration of justice.
The Order's mission is summed up in its motto "Lex - Justitia - Pax" (Law, Justice and Peace) and in its aims "Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum" (Defence for the Faith and Caring for the Suffering).
Today it is an international Order of Chivalry with Priories, Commanderies and National Councils in many countries around the world.

2) What do we mean by saying that it is a Christian Order?
The Order was created as a monastic community attributed to King Edward. This community was created in the eleventh century. The Moral and Civil behaviour is in the same way as the Order's origin, being that of the Crusades, the well-known behaviour of Bonizone da Sutri in 1090 in his code of the Christian Knight "Liber de Vita Christiana" in which the Chivalric Ideals harmonise themselves with the ascetic, favouring every spiritual and human initiative.
Today, although some members of the Order are professed knights, others have pronounced only the promise of obedience. Most of the Order's knights and dames are lay members. Although they have not pronounced any religious vow, they are all devoted to the exercise of Christian virtue and charity, and committed to developing their spirituality within the Order and to expending their energies in serving the Faith and assisting others.

3) Does one have to be a Christian to join the Order?
No, the membership in the Chivalric Order of the Knights of Justice is open to everyone - independently of sex, descent, nationality, race, religion and colour - who have satisfied the criteria for membership and who, like all new members, make a specific promise to "be faithful, loyal and obedient to The Chivalric Order of the Knights of Justice and its Grand Master and Jurisdictional Heads as far as it is consistent with my duty to my country, to do everything in my power to uphold its dignity and support its charitable works; and to endeavour to uphold the aims of this Chivalric Order and to conduct myself as a person of honour."

4) Does the Order is military?
The Order had to become military to protect the pilgrims and supported the crusade. Henry I. (1100 - 1135), known as "Beauclerc", entrusted the Knights of Justice the further duty of tax collectors of the chamber of commerce. The Charter of Henry 1st was an important document which provided the basis for Magna Carta. With King Richard, "The Lionheart" (1189 - 1199), from the Plantagenet family, the Knights took part in the Third Crusade and then guaranteed the respect of Magna Carta (1215) by King John, "The Lackland" (1199 - 1216).
Today the Order doesn't look after military traditions any more.

5) What does it mean Chivalry?
"Chivalry" means the medieval system, principles, and customs of knighthood. The ideal knight should demonstrate knightly behaviour (should be brave, loyal, generous, should take part in the Crusades to the Holy Land and should have good manner) and courtly love women (should serve a lady often promised or married to another, should love her passionately, but often hopelessly).

6) What is the Purpose of Chivalry today?
Chivalry sets a standard of conduct that transcends era or culture. It maintains a code of conduct traditionally upholds a practical guide to living in a changing world, and it provides discipline within an undisciplined environment. Chivalry embraces a spiritual path of personal development that combines bravery and gentleness with a fierce compassion for the welfare of others. The knight's interest and goal in life is to protect those who cannot defend, be it physical, spiritual, or economical and to fulfil a desire for personal excellence.

7) Does the Order is chivalrous?
Traditionally Knights of the Order belonged to chivalrous and noble families of the Christian world. The Order is still a chivalrous Order today as it has maintained the values of chivalry and nobility. Although the majority of its members no longer come from ancient noble families, they are admitted because of manifest merits towards the human behaviour and the Order.

8) Do Europeans or Americans or others today are interested in …?
Do you think that Europeans or Americans or others today are not interested in nobility or chivalry (since it was abolished or they do not have any)? Do you think that they use the word "royalty" only in the plural form, meaning "a share paid to a writer or composer, resulting from the sale or performance of his or her work"? Do you think that knightly behaviour and courtly love of women are taught nowhere today? Wrong! The American Academy for Medieval and Chivalric research offers you a unique chance to learn more about nobility and chivalry and to learn the subtleties of knightly behaviour and courtly love women.

9) How do Knights dress?
In ancient times, Knights wore battle uniforms - the armour and chain mail, sometimes covered with a mantle. In modern times, the mantle survives as the knightly cloak worn over evening dress - the tuxedo or smoking for men and evening gowns for women. Knights also wear decorations that indicate the various ranks held in the Order: for rank one, the chest medallion; for ranks two and three, the neck medallion; for rank four, the gold breast star; and, finally, for the highest rank, the metallic collar. (These are general descriptions; decorations vary.)

10) Does a Knight need a Coat of Arms?
Yes in general, a Knight should own a Coat of Arms.

11) What do modern Knights do?
Many modern Knights don't do anything. The honour of Knighthood is invested in them, and then they continue on in their daily lives, except that, on occasion, such Knights will attend a dinner or banquet and wear their decorations. On the other hand, the Chivalric Order of the Knights of Justice is considered to be a "working" Order with expectations that their Knights will participate in charity works, will attend the meetings and workshops of the Order, and will develop and live a life that expresses the tenets and beliefs of chivalry (and, for Orders of Chivalry, the expectation is that the Knight will also live a chivalric and spiritual life).

12) What is the Order doing?
The Order of the Knights of Justice works in the field of social care and humanitarian aid and supporting of human rights, in several countries, supported by nations and other organizations.
The Order is also engaged in the cultural field and charity events.
Furthermore, the Order organized special meetings and seminars in the area of business relations and social life activities.

13) How is the Order governed?
The Constitutional Charter and its Code govern the organizations, and operations, and activities of the Order.
The head of the Order is the Grand Master H.E. Prof. Sir Paul A. Zammit-Lewis, elected for life by the Grand Council. The Grand Master is assisted by the Grand Council, in turns elected by the Chapter General (the assembly of the representatives of the Order's members). The Grand Council provides advices on internal, political, religious, and international issues. The Grand Council is also elected by the Chapter General. Juridical issues are submitted to the Grand Chancellery, appointed by the Grand Master and the Grand Council.

14) What is the international organisation of the Order?
Today, the Order is present in many countries. It has Grand Priories, Sub-Priories, Commanderies and National Delegations.

15) How many members does the Order have?
Today the Order is made up of more than 1,200 Knights and Dames.

16) Can You become a Knight?
Yes, citizens from Europe, the U.S. and most other countries can accept a Knighthood. There is no law preventing the granting of Knighthood to a citizen of Europe or the U.S. and others, nor does the constitution of those countries prevent the investiture of a man or woman as a Knight or Dame (even the constitution does prevent the U.S. itself from granting a knightly title). Great Britain, through its Queen, has often granted Knighthoods on famous Americans and Europeans and others. Citizens of Europe and the U.S. can also hold valid and legitimate titles of nobility and even royalty. No law forbids a citizen from holding a royal or noble title.

17) What is the Title a Knight holds?
The Title of a Knight is called the "Pre-nominal," since it comes before the Knight's name. Most are familiar with other "pre-nominals" such as "Doctor," or "Professor," or "Reverend." In Great Britain, the title for a male Knight is "Sir," whether he is a Knight Bachelor (which does not belong to an Order) or whether he is a member of a British Order of Chivalry. The pre-nominal "Sir" is used with the Knight's first name, not the last name, meaning that John Denver is addressed as "Sir John," not "Sir Denver." The pre-nominal for a female Knight is "Lady." The "Post-nominal" for Knight of Justice is "KOJ" and for Dame "DOJ."

18) Can Women be Knights?
The original Crusader Orders never admitted women. However, females began to be accepted into orders of knighthood as early as the 1600s, primarily many women who were powerful nobles in their right sought admission to the prestigious Orders of Chivalry. Several modern Orders of Chivalry accept women as Knights, but it is not universal. The Order of the Knights of Justice accepts women as Dames of Justice.

19) How to become a member of the Order?
To obtain a Knight or Dame of Justice, an applicant must be recommended by a current member of the Order. The relevant Grand Priory or National Organization is responsible for proposals of admission. According to the Constitution of the Order as a rule any new member can be admitted in the rank of a "Companion" when achieved 18th year of his/her life and in the rank of a "Knight or Dame" when achieved 25th year of his/her life.
For further information we recommend contacting your local Commandery or Priory.

20) What are the financial obligations?
Circumstances vary greatly, but a donation of from €300 to €3,000 is expected. This includes the cost of mantles and insignia, and a capitation fee called passage money because it represents the original cost of the journey to the Holy Land, payable to the Grand Chancellery. This is to cover administrative expenses, and any surplus is devoted to the charitable work of the Order. This varies from country to country and is influenced by the wealth of the country. It might be expected that a candidate in developing countries does not pay as much as one in Europe or in the U.S. Each Jurisdiction charges an annual subscription. This covers administration, charitable activity, and an annual payment to the Grand Chancellery. The subscription is currently about €65 per annum. In addition members are very active in fund raising for the charitable purposes of the Order.

21) How are the Order's activities financed?
Activities are funded essentially by its members and by charity events. Funds come from private donations and vary according to different countries and situations. Funds also come from donations or benefactors' contributions to Order's activities.

22) Does the Order of the Knights of Justice is recognised in the United Kingdom?
Not diplomatically (as a sovereign state). The Queen does not agree any Chivalric Order which is not an Order of the British Crown rather than of any dynasty in particular. Members may wear insignia at Order of the Knights of Justice functions and those of other Chivalric Orders.

23) Where is the Order based?
The Order's headquarters is settled in England and the Grand Master resides in Italy. The Order has its official recognition and registration in several countries.
For further information we recommend contacting your local Commandery or Priory.