In times past, honours were traditionally bestowed upon people by a ruling Monarch for some valuable service to the Crown. For example, in times of conflict a loyal courtier might provide at their expense, a small army to help the Monarch defend the realm, and in return receive a TITLE for their loyalty ;

(inset) Mary - Queen of Scots mother of James the 6th of Scotland, who later became James the 1st of England following the death of Elizabeth the 1st.

This was a practise begun in England in 1387 by Richard the 2nd. The title Baronet, ranking between Knight and Baron, was introduced by King James the 1^st in 1611, (Mary Queen of Scots son) and previously James the 6th of Scotland, who united the Kingdoms, and who was responsible for the King James version of the Holy Bible. To gain the Title Baronet, a subject paid the King then, the princely sum of GBP 1,095 plus three (3) years wages thirty (30) foot soldiers. Today, governments still recommend to a Monarch that a person be titled, however it is more normal as recognition for lifetime services to a field, or as a quid pro quo for retiring politicians, or for major financial benefactors, to the Arts, Medicine, Science, Philanthropy, Humanities etc.

Noble Titles (e.g.) Knight, (Sir) Dame, Lord, Earl, Countess, and so forth, when given by Kingdoms or recognised Orders of Chivalry, resulted in the recipient being admitted as a titled personage to a Royal Court, the establishment, and/or so called ruling class, and carried numerous social, business, political and other privileges, as well as immense status to the holder.

Orders of Chivalry like the Teutonic Order, pledge huge financial undertakings in Missionary, Humanitarian and other works, however being an Order of Chivalry and not a State, Orders have no citizens to tax, therefore, we have only the generous charitable giving of our thousands of supporters around the Globe.

To meet the needs of the Teutonic Order into the 21^st century and encourage new giving, we have developed a prestigious honours programme, one which will help realise much needed capital funds for ongoing global humanitarian projects, but at the same time provide our financial benefactors, with wonderful honour, recognition, visible prestige, and numerous social privileges.

Our financial supporters honoured in this way, become beneficiaries of a prestigious platform of great personal benefit, but can also feel good about the fact, that their gifts are doing something positive and worthwhile in an unequal and troubled world, as they follow the areas of our support.

No longer a Military Order, people today are not conferred the honour of Knight of the Teutonic Order, for services on the battlefield. Instead, as an Order of Chivalry, we enjoy ancient Fons Honorum rights conferred constitutionally by decree of the ruling Grand Council.

In the same manner as honour systems still function in many countries today, on the advice of Ministers, our Grand Council may recommend to our Sovereign, that financial benefactors, or people who have performed other great services in support of our Global philanthropic and humanitarian ideals, be considered for the conferring of an Noble Title, or Order of Chivalry.

Titles are bestowed in return for selfless generosity and support, and nominee’s go before the Grand Council of the Teutonic Order, where if the vote of a quorum is carried, the Grand Council can recommend that our Sovereign Magister grant a legitimate title of the Order to be conferred upon that outstanding individual.

Clearly, not every person who offers a gift can be honoured in this way, however major support capital for our global works is raised through the kindness of our financial benefactors, and we return this kindness by conferring a title of nobility or chivalry, with the title typically reflecting the generosity of the gift, so that in addition to feeling good about helping others, our contributors have something tangible, real and personally beneficial in return.

Whilst people may acquire legitimate Noble Titles, it is important to understand, that our reasons for offering these, overshadows the title itself. It is the heart condition of the individual who gives, which matters most, and this is why all applications are considered in detail, and a full vote of the Grand Council is a prerequisite to the awarding of such an honour.

People who share our philanthropic vision and desire the many Political, Social, and Business benefits a Noble Title can bring, we offer the chance to be elevated to a Knighthood, Dame, and/or other ranks of the Nobility of this Chivalric Order.