The Grand Priory of England and Wales
The Order first became formally established in England in about 1146 when the Earl of Arundel granted land in Norfolk to the Order. When the Earl's friend, Sir Roger de Mowbray, returned from his second crusade he also granted the Order a manor and lands for the foundation of a leper hospital at Burton in Leicestershire. This Preceptory, actually founded in 1157, became known at Burton Lazars, a name that remains to this day. Henry II also granted the Order a charter for rights in Lincolnshire at about the same time.
In 1544, during the latter part of Henry VIII's "reformation of the church", St. Lazarus was dissolved in England and Wales, as was all of the other great Religious Orders. Its assets were seized by the crown, and Burton given to one of the King's current favourites, Lord Lisle. This effectively removed the Order from England and Wales. It took over 450 years for the Order to return.
In 1960 the Order was reintroduced into England when the Lord Mowbray, Segrave, and Stourton, a direct descendant of the original crusader knight Sir Roger de Mowbray, was appointed Grand Prior of England and Wales by the the Grand Master. The current Grand Prior is the Right Hon. the Earl Ferrers. The Order's Honorary Grand Chaplain is the Archbishop of Canterbury, as was also the late Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster.
Membership of this Christian Order of Chivalry is an honour, and one that can be shared by all who are deemed worthy. Our membership is ecumenical, and open to all practising Christians, regardless of denomination or sex, and includes many married couples. Members are drawn from all professions and callings, all having the understanding that they are prepared to give service to the Order. Membership requires a commitment to work for the good of the Order by supporting its activities to the extent of one's abilities, whether this be by raising funds, devoting time to the Order's charitable works, or by prayer.
Principal Officers of the Grand Priory of England and Wales
| Grand Prior: | The Rt Hon. the Earl Ferrers PC GCLJ GCMLJ GCrLJ DL |
| Grand Prior Emeritus: | His Grace, the Duke of Westminster KG CB OBE TD GCLJ GCMLJ DL |
| Grand Prior Emeritus: | His Serene Highness, Prince Paul Odescalchi GCLJ |
| Honorary Grand Chaplain: | The Most Reverend and Right Hon. Dr Rowan Williams PC ECLJ (Archbishop of Canterbury) |
| Chaplain-General: | The Revd. Canon David W. Skeoch SChLJ GOMLJ |
| Deputy Chaplain-General: | The Revd. Father Ian Evans SChLJ MMLJ SCF |
| Deputy Chaplain-General: | The Revd. Gareth Powell SChLJ |
| Bailiff: | Revd Canon Jeremy Haselock EGCLJ OMLJ SCrLJ |
| Bailiff Emeritus: | Professor Colin J. Coulson-Thomas KCLJ CMLJ |
| Bailiff Emeritus: | Major Basil C. Bicknell TD GCLJ CMLJ |
| Chancellor: | Vincent T. Keaveny KHS KCLJ SCrLJ |
| Chancellor Emeritus: | The Very Reverend Fr. Sergius Scott ECLJ GOMLJ MSM |
| Chancellor Emeritus: | Robin G. Otter GCLJ GOMLJ |
| Marshal: | Lt Cdr Tim Boughton RN OStJ CLJ |
| Sub Almoner: |
The Revd Victor J.A. Bullock ChLJ |
| Juge d'Armes : | Colonel Dr. Colin Wilson TD KLJ |
| Keeper of Insignia: | Alan J. Culverhouse CLJ |
| Hospitaller: | Dr
Michael F.R. Waters OBE KCLJ |
| Deputy Hospitaller: | Colonel Dr Antony J. Hamilton TD OLJ MB BS LRCM FRCS FRCOG |
| Deputy Hospitaller: | Barbara Robinson OLJ OMLJ |
| Secretary-General: | The Deputy Robin Sherlock KCLJ MMLJ |
| Receiver-General: | David Wheeler CLJ |
| Justiciar: | Michael J. Stewart KLJ CMLJ |
| Almoner: | The Reverend Peter L. Bustin SChLJ |
| Registrar & Communication Officer: | Gareth R. Vaughan KLJ SCrLJ |
| Webmaster: | Allan J. Woodliffe OStJ KLJ OMLJ SMLJ |
| Editor Grand Priory Newsletter: | Robin Hobbs OLJ |
| Archivist: | Frederick Rapsey MSt.J KLJ |
The Saint Lazarus Charitable Trust
| Chairman: | David Mansel Jones CStJ KCLJ OMLJ SMLJ |
| Treasurer: |
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| Secretary: | Gareth Vaughan KLJ SCrLJ |
| Trustees: | David Wheeler CLJ |
| Gerald Murphy KCSG GCHS KLJ | |
| Vincent T. Keaveny KHS KCLJ SCrLJ | |
| David Powell KLJ | |
| Margaret A. McCaldin DLJ JP |