Celtic Order of St. Columba & St. Ninian

Introduction to the Order

Who doubts the valour and honour of the Celts & Picts? Those that do, do so at their peril.  We are an ancient race with ancient liberties.

We have been in Britain since the early Iron Age, our kin are scattered throughout the world.  Anyone who claims ancestry or kinship from England, Scotland, Wales, The Isle of Man, Eire or Brittany is one of of our own.  Indeed if the net is cast wide to the Scandinavian Countries, all the way through the mists of history through Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Germany and the Balkin Countries, Anatolia in Turkey. - We are far flung people.

We are masters of metal, all aspects of Chivalrous warfare are ours, as is bardic poetry, genealogy, map making, manuscript illumination and the old histories. Our Woman folk have always been warrior queens, nurturers of the oppressed, weavers and potters of great skill, as well as the mothers of champions, poets and saints.

For the past 16 centuries, abiding faith in the Early Church and its original uncomplicated  revealed doctrines has maintained us. We have never abandoned the ancient beliefs of our fathers and mothers such as that of the sacred well.  The simple, unwavering faith Saint Columba and St. Ninian, free of doctrinal strife, has always maintained both chieftain and liegeman.

Accordingly, we weave together the martial spirit and religious tradition to proclaim THE ORDER OF ST. COLUMBA & ST. NINIAN, open to all Celts and Picts and to those who espouse their values: truth, honour, justice and largesse.

Saint Columba
Our Columba, variously known as Colum & Colmeille was born at Gartan, Donegal and was of Royal Blood. His kinsmen were of the stock from whence the High Kings of Ireland were traditionally chosen.  After being ordained, he continued his profound studies with Saint Mobhi.  He then founded monasteries all over Ireland. After being involved in acrimony with another scholar over copying a learned text, a battle ensued between the armed lay followers of each litigant.  It is traditionally stated that over 3,000 warriors perished!  But such figures in the Chronicles are to be accepted with reservation.

After censure from the Synod of Telltown, our Columba left Ireland in remorse, vowing to make converts of the like number among the heathens of what is now Scotland.  In 563 A.D. he & several of his monks established at Iona (An Island Fastness in the Sea between Ulster & Southern Scotland) the most flourishing evangelising monastery of its day. He converted King Brude of the Picts at Inverness and in his life time converted all of Pictland.  He was famous for his piety, holiness and austerities.  His rule was held by monasteries throughout Western Europe until it was superseded by the  Rule of St. Benedict.  Our Columba is one of the most renowned of the "Celtic Saints" His Dated are approximately 521 - 597 A.D. and we revere his Feast Day on June 9th. 

Saint Ninian

According to the 12th Century "Life of St. Ninian" by St. Aeldred, our Ninian was the first born of a son of a Chieftain of the Britons of Cumbria.  He studied in Rome, was there ordained a priest and, subsequently consecrated as a Bishop.  He returned to Britain to evangelize.  There he had a church built of Stone, some say by Stonemasons from overseas, possibly from St. Martin's Monastery at Tours.  This became known as the White House (Whitern) and his monastery (built later) was known as the Great Monastery.  From this edifice, our Ninian sent forth monks who he sometimes accompanied; they evangelized the neighbouring Britons and importantly, the fierce Picts.  They lived in what is now Scotland and its Border lands.  He cured a Chieftain of his blindness and this led to many conversions.  The foundations of some of his churches are still extant.  Our Ninian died circa 432 A.D. and we celebrate his feast day on the 16th of September.

Each successful Applicant to the Order of St. Columba & St. Ninian
will receive a beautiful sumptuous scroll of Letters Patent.

(actual size is 17" x 23"; 43cm x 58 cm) couched in the traditional centuries-old language of heraldry. Your own name and Rank will be hand-inscribed by our heraldic artist in elegant calligraphic script.

Neck ribands of Investiture, medallions and badges of Office are offered to the Members
for wear on formal occasions. (See the Medallions Page on this site for further information & fees)

Investiture Fees are standard to all Orders of Chivalry and are not a purchase of Honours. The Fees are used to defray the Order's expenses in issuing the Instruments of Investiture. Titles of Nobility are granted on the basis of Merit. 

Nobilitat Regalia-CB, sole agent for the Order of St. Columba & St. Ninian,
offers the following services on their behalf:

As of SEPT 2006 the Order of the Commonwealth will be offering
the following dignities for Ladies:

Certificates (actual size is 11" x 17"; 28cm x 43cm), almost identical
to those offered to Gentlemen, will be available.

Methods of Payment

Payment is accepted by: Postal Money Order, Bankers Drafts,
Certified Cheques or Personal Cheques
 

Please Note: Personal cheques require at least 4-8 weeks clearance
and a subsequent delay in processing.

To petition for honours within the Order of St. Columba & St. Ninian - Click Here for our printable application form

FAQ's

1) WHO IS THE PRINCE GRANDMASTER?

The Supreme Head of the Order is Douglas, Prince St. Michel de Clermont (see a Brief History of the Principality and Related Matters). By blood and lineage, the Prince is uniquely suited to his role as Grandmaster.  He has spent a lifetime pursuing studies related to Chivalry, History & Genealogy and Celtish and Pictish Matters.  Now age 61 he devoted his efforts and those of his House to promoting the Order of St. Columba & St. Ninian as well as maintaining his interests in the other orders of which he holds the honour of leadership: The Order of the Commonwealth, the Order of St. Andrew of Jerusalem (founded in the 13th Century) and that of St. Victor.  In the past the Prince Grand Master has travelled often to Europe doing archival research in Venice, London and Rome.  The fruits of his researchers will benefit members in years to come.  The Prince has five grandchildren all of whom show so much promise & ability.

2) IN WHICH COUNTRIES ARE YOU REPRESENTED?

Currently, membership is found in Canada, the United States, Spain, Portugal, England, Eire & Scotland.

3) WHO RECOGNISES YOU?

As the order is still very new, we are now negotiating what are called Protocols of Recognition with other polities and orders.  These are similair to treaties between Sovereign States.  Of course, in the past the other orders maintained by the Prince Grand Master (see above) have been recognised with several such protocols.

4) HOW MAY A KNIGHT/DAME OFFER SERVICE TO THE ORDER?

Suggestions for service include:

a) Visiting the Sick & Elderly

b) Donating texts on history/chivalry to libraries and schools

c) Any Charitable act anywhere, anytime.

d) Establishing a local priory with at least three other members in your area.

5) MAY I PUT POST NOMINALS BEHIND MY NAME ?

Yes, you may use these letters KtStCStN, DStCStN, KCStCStN, DCStCStN, KGCStCStN and DGCStCStN respectively behind your name on letterheads, cards etc.

6) MAY I LIST MY HONOURS & POST NOMINAL'S ON CREDIT CARDS ?

Depending on your jurisdiction & locale, YES.  Note: Because of the current international situation we do NOT recommend the listing of honours  & post nominal's on passports.

7) MAY I PASS THE HONOURS ON TO MY HEIRS?

NO! The Honour of Knight or Dame is extinguished on your demise. However unlike most other orders, the order allows descendants to retain the regalia as a keepsake of the recipient's accomplishments.

The Superior Honours granted by the Prince Grand Master, viz:Duke/Duchess, Marquis/Marchioness, Count/Countess within the Principality of St. Michel de Clermont ARE FULLY inheritable by ALL children of the original recipient, following the Continental Custom.

8) IF I AM A KNIGHT, DOES MY WIFE HAVE AN HONOUR?

Yes, by courtesy your wife is recognised by us as bearing the title of LADY.  Certificates are not normally issued, as her honour is considered automatically and concomitantly with yours.

9) CAN PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT OF CELTIC/PICTISH FAMILY BACKGROUND APPLY?

Certainly! If you admire and accept the Celtic/Pictish ideals you may apply for full standing membership with its honours.

10) IS IT NECESSARY TO PURCHASE THE REGALIA OF THE ORDER WHEN I APPLY?

NO, it is not mandatory to purchase the regalia immediately or ever, for that matter.  However, if you wish to show your allegiance to the Order at Official Receptions or other Social Occasions, you should consider acquiring the Regalia. Full details of the current regalia can be found on our Medallions Page.

Please e-mail  all inquiries to the Prince's
GRAND SECRETARY
Include a Postal Address for further information
(all Postal Addresses are to be held in strict confidence
and will not be shared, sold or traded). Thank You.

Or Post to our Agents via Snail Mail

NOBILITAT REGALIA-CB
c/o The Chancellery, P.O. Box #1944, 
Victoria, BC, Canada, 
V8W 3A8