What are the Knights of Saint Andrew?

The Knights of the Order of Saint Andrew, or KSA, is a group of Masters of the Royal Secret (32°) dedicated to serving the Valley of Sioux City at large. The KSA provides critical support to all of the committees of the Valley, assists at events when needed, and promotes active membership in the Valley.

Who are the Knights of Saint Andrew?

Membership in KSA is limited to Masters of the Royal Secret (32°) who are members of the VAlley of Sioux City in good standing. Those who have been honored with the Knight Commander Court of Honor (32° KCCH) or coroneted with the Inspector General Honorary (33°) are not eligible for membership. Those who have been honored with the 32° KCCH or coroneted with the 33° who were members of the KSA while a 32° are emeritus members of the KSA.

How did the Knights of Saint Andrew start?

The origins of the Order date back to the period of 1220-1232 AD, when a Confraternity was established in the City of Acre, of the then Crusader Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem (occupying the same territory as the modern state of Israel) to protect pilgrims and merchants.

This Confraternity, consisting of burgesses and knights of largely French heritage, met in the City’s Castle and chose the Holy Apostle, St. Andrew, as their Patron. They constituted themselves as a Crusading Order of Knights with the object of resisting tyranny and protecting public safety.

During the turmoil of the Sixth Crusade, these worthies of the Order defended the poor, the sick and the weak from adversaries. In the best tradition of the Military and Religious Orders of the time, they founded their lives on prayer, charity, service and protection.

About this time, possession of Acre was being contested by the Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick II operating from his base in Sicily. Through his marriage to Yolande, daughter of John of Brienne, a leading Crusader, the Emperor had become embroiled in the affairs of the Crusader states. The Emperor sent a fleet of ships against Acre in 1227, whereupon the Knights and Officers of St. Andrew of Jerusalem appealed to Pope Gregory IX, who excommunicated the Emperor for this action.

During the subsequent negotiations with the Muslims by the Emperor Frederick, the Knights of St. Andrew remained aloof. Though some progress for the Crusaders appeared at first to have seen made, their adherence to treaty commitments made at that time eventually enabled an army of Turks in pay of the Sultan of Egypt, to crush the remaining Crusader enclaves by about 1244.

It was at about this juncture that the existing historical records of the Knights of St. Andrew were lost. It is speculated that the records may have been transported to the Byzantium in hope of safekeeping, only to be lost yet again when the city fell to the Turks in 1453.

The modern KSA has become a group that exists throughout many Valleys nationwide. It started in the Valley of Guthrie Oklahoma, and was meant to provide a social and service setting for the newest Scottish Rite Masons.

To Join, Just Talk to a KSA Member