During the 14th century, when England was at war with France, a period often referred to as the “Hundred Years War”, England’s king was Edward 3rd. It was he who decided to form an elite body of knights and noblemen to preserve the principles of knighthood, chivalry and honour. He looked back into English legend and decided to call this elite corps “The Knights Of The Round Table”, emulating the stories of the legendary King Arthur and his knights.

This order was to be based at Windsor castle, probably the greatest castle in all England, in a purpose built hall occupying an area now an open quadrangle in the centre of the castle.

The hall was vast in size and housed a ‘segmented’ round table, (one built of connecting pieces), in order that it could be extended as more knights were installed into the order.

The order was under command of his eldest son, Edward the ‘Black’ Prince of Wales. It did not flourish as was desired though and became replaced with the ‘Order of The Garter’ still in operation today.

Some of its members however continued to meet and keep alive the tradition. It was some of their descendants who, in the 18th century, formed a new order as the “Knights Of The Round Table”, which still flourishes today and is based in London.

One of its members was a Mr Frederick Glasscock, a wealthy industrialist who owned and ran a firm that manufactured custard powder. It was his desire to bring the ‘Order’ in to a more inclusive era and make it more accessible to others. This he managed to do and in 1927 he founded the present order and had it housed in a purpose built hall in Tintagel in north Cornwall called King Arthur’s Halls. It should be noted that it was rare for an order to be so housed as many were ‘journeying’ orders who met at various gentlemen’ s clubs in the London area.

The ‘Halls’ once completed drew people from far and near and is still today the home of the ‘Order’. The ‘Halls’ are open to the public and attract many visitors every year who come to see not only the fine building but also the incredible stained glass windows which tell story of King Arthur and his Knights.

Today’s ‘Order’ still functions with the same ideals as the 14th century original, the preservation of chivalry, knighthood, gallantry and virtue.
The modern ‘Order’ or Fellowship is also actively involved in the raising of funds and support for children’s charities. In the UK the main charity is Children’s Hospice South West and in Europe is SOS Kinderndorf. Now open to both men and women the ‘Order’ meets regularly for it’s annual formal dinner at King Arthur’s Great Halls  each first Saturday in June, with a second formal dinner held on the last Sunday of November at Kasteel De Berckt at Baarlo in The Netherlands. It still includes in it’s activities the furtherance on studying the legends of Arthur and the Grail, plus it’s attendant subjects. However the membership never loses sight of its charitable activities with many diverse activities taking place to help raise the funds necessary.

The ‘Order’ has chapters in many countries of the world including Holland, America, Australia, Sweden, Bulgaria and even Japan. It is open to all who uphold its principles of knightly virtue and any can approach to join. Each country represented is governed by its appointed ‘Chapter Knight’ and each Chapter operates together with the ‘Central Chapter’ The 2 main centres for the Order are, King Arthur’s Great Halls at Tintagel, Cornwall, for the UK and also Kasteel De Berckt in Baarlo, The Netherlands, for Europe and the rest of the world..

 The officers of the ‘Order’ and their duties are:

The Knight Seneschal. And The Knight Bursar:
The Knight Seneschal is responsible for overall recruiting, ceremonies, such as the investitures, and providing support, if needed, to all members of the ‘Order’ both in the United Kingdom and all countries overseas where the ‘Order’ is represented. He also works hand in hand with:

The Knight Bursar holds sway over all the financial matters of the ‘Order’ such as memberships and producing the accounts and newsletters together with the Knight Seneschal and is also responsible for ‘calling forward’ all those wishing to be invested into the ‘Order’.

The Knight Chamberlain:
The Knight Chamberlain is responsible for much of the organsation around the tables and ceremonies at the formal dinners. He works closely with The Keeper Of The Robes to help organise the regalia worn by each Knight invested and promoted.

The Knight Guardian of The Banner:
The Knight Guardian of The Banner holds and maintains the ‘Orders’ sacred ‘Dragon Banner’ which is held by him at all ceremonies.

The Knight Remembrancer:
The Knight Remembrancer keeps the ‘Heralds Roll’ of all those who attend the annual dinner and provides a written report on its progress.

Plus the Household Officers:

The Chapter Knights (Worldwide):
All Chapter Knights are given a geographical area that then comes under their governance for the ‘Order’. It is their duty to recruit new members into the ‘Order’ and to oversee the events that they themselves or their other members might produce in their given area and ensure that such events are in keeping with the ‘Orders’ modus operandi.

Together with all the members and their families spread across the globe.

The ‘Order’ will never demand from its members. Anyone joining is free to do as much or as little as they can. We are totally non denominational and hold no affiliation with any religious or political bodies.

The Order Of The Fellowship Of The Knights Of The Round Table of King Arthur is proud to trace its history back so far in time and its members are all committed to its growth and the ‘Orders’ flourishing in the centuries to come.