By what titles are knights of the Order known?

Amongst each other, all male members (not merely the knights) refer to one another as “Brother”. Female members of the Order (such as spouses, who may not be dubbed) are referred to as “Sister” or “Lady”. There are also offices in the Order, such as Master, Provost, Priors, Preceptors, one Provincial, Chaplains… These titles are important ones within the Order. In more formal internal writings, knights in the Order are known, amongst each other, by the predicate of “Chevalier” or “Chev.” [followed by Surname], the French and indeed international designation for a knight outside of the UK. Similarly, the British Preceptory’s chapter minutes refer to members with the post-nominals “[Full name], Kt” and “[Full name], Sq.” One does not see members of the MSM using their titles outside the Order, as we place considerable emphasis on the virtue of humility.

The only members of the Order that might properly be called “Sir” would be those who also happen to have the right to such a title for some other reason, for instance as a Peer of the Realm, someone knighted by the Queen of England and the Commonwealth, etc. The matter of American knights (for instance of the EOHSJ) correctly bearing that title, under international protocol, is a matter of debate. In any event, members of the Order would follow the customs described in the previous paragraph in addressing one another.

As stated by our founder, “Chivalry will not allow itself to be limited by outmoded legal categories that confuse ‘order of knighthood’ with the distribution of honours. Let us be clear: this late development within the knightly tradition, whatever legal dressing it may possess, means nothing in the present context. In Chivalry, those early knights looked for no decorations. The first Templars, the first Hospitallers and the Lepers of Saint Lazarus were Poor Knights of Jesus Christ.” (Dom Lafond, Principles for a Charter of Chivalry, Preface)