Knights Garda

The Knights Garda, officially the Sovereign Military Order of Saint Brén (Kiltic: Ordú Míleata Ceannasach de Naomh Brén), and also commonly known as the Knights of Saint Brén or the Order of Saint Brén, is a chivalric Sanctist lay-religious military order, dedicated to the protection of travelers and to providing aid and care to the sick and the poor of the world, regardless of race, creed or nationality.

History

The Order was founded in 1051 by Emperor Ugaine the Great, who charged its knights with the protection and care of Sanctist pilgrims traveling the Western Trade Road to the holy city of Sancta Cedes, against attacks by the Thuggog bandits of the southern Great Plain. Its first Commander was Sétnae mac Móenach Ó Coileáin, who led the Order until his death in 1063. He drafted the Order’s first Rule, and established the distinctive black mantle adorned with a white crossed crosslet as its Habit.

In the Bull of 1103, Archcoarb Patrick IV of Sancta Cedes established the Order as a Saoirse, accountable only to the Holy See and entitled to choose its superiors, restyled “Prince Grand Master,” without interference from local authorities. The first Prince Grand Master of the Sovereign Order was Uinseann mac Cairbre Ó Hannagain, who served from 1104 until 1113.

Although it controls no territory, the Order is still recognized under international law as a sovereign jurisdiction. From its headquarters in Sancta Cedes, it issues its own passports, coins and postage stamps, and currently maintains formal diplomatic embassies in 87 countries around the world.

Current Activities

The Order of Saint Brén operates 43 hospitals and 29 infirmaries across the world, providing charitable health care to children, the poor and homeless, the elderly and terminally ill, travelers and refugees. The Order currently employs 28,000 doctors and nurses, and coordinates over 40,000 public health volunteers in over 100 countries.

At present there are over 13,000 knights and dames admitted to the Order, along with about 500 auxiliary members, operating out of seven Grand Priories across eastern Heremonia. Officers of the Order are required to prove noble lineage. There have been 79 Prince Grand Masters, who are elected by the Sovereign Council and serve for life, governing as both sovereign and religious superior. The current Prince Grand Master is Erskine Ó Frighil of Bréifne, elected in 1971.

Sovereign Military Order of Saint Brén

Ordú Míleata Ceannasach de Naomh Brén

Coat of Arms

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Motto:

A Chosaint agus a Sheirbheáil
“To Protect and to Serve”

Capital:

Pálás Saint Brén, Sancta Cedes

Allegiance:

Archcoarb of Sancta Cedes

Founded:

1051

Founder:

Emperor Ugaine the Great

First Commander:

Sétnae mac Móenach Ó Coileáin
(1051 - 1063)

Established as a Saoirse:

1103

First Prince Grand Master:

Uinseann mac Cairbre Ó Hannagain
(1104 - 1113)

Colors:

Black & White

Ribbon of the Order