A historic spiritual alliance between two Orders of Saint James

Photorealistic version of The taking of Alcácer do Sal, by Alfredo Roque Gameiro. Illustration by Alfredo Roque Gameiro in the book História de Portugal, popular e ilustrada, by Manuel Pinheiro Chagas

The Imperial Military Order of Saint James of the Sword and the Most Noble Equestrian Order of Saint James have formalized a profound reunion between their chivalric institutions. Listen to the podcast to learn more.

This historic agreement unites the two traditions through their respective executive leaders. On one side is the Grand Master and Perpetual Administrator of the Imperial Military Order of Saint James of the Sword, H.I.R.H. Dom Pedro Bourbon de Orleans e Bragança. As head of the imperial House of Orleans-Braganza, he leads the lineage serving as the rightful successors to the throne of the Empire of Brazil and the oldest branch of the Portuguese Royal Family. He is joined in this accord by the Governor of the Most Noble Equestrian Order of Saint James, H.S.H. Georg-Viktor Prince zu Bentheim und Steinfurt.

The alliance draws directly upon the institutional heritage of the Portuguese-Brazilian Order, which was confirmed by Apostolic Privilege under Pope Leo XII’s papal bull Praeclara Portugalliae Algarbiorumque Regum on 15 May 1827. The defining document binding the two chivalric bodies was formally signed and sealed on 1 October 2026.

The shared history of two noble lineages

The Portuguese Order of Saint James of the Sword originates as a local branch of the Spanish Order of Santiago. Founded in Spain in 1170, the order quickly expanded into Portugal in 1172. Over time, the Portuguese branch grew politically and militarily powerful, eventually separating from the Spanish headquarters to become an independent order. The Portuguese Order of Saint James of the Sword became a Brazilian order when Emperor Pedro I declared Brazil's independence in 1822, nationalizing the order into the Imperial Order of Saint James of the Sword.

Partnering in this historic accord is H.S.H. Prince Georg-Victor zu Bentheim und Steinfurt, the legal successor to the Counts of Holland, who exercises sovereign governance over the Most Noble Equestrian Order of Saint James, instituted in 1290 by Count Floris V of Holland. The deep connection between these two noble lineages goes all the way back to the Fifth Crusade. Between 30 July 1217 and 18 October 1217, Count Willem I of Holland fought in a unified Christian brotherhood alongside the knights of the Iberian Order of Santiago at the Siege of Alcácer do Sal. This early collaboration with the Iberian knights, led by Martim Pais Barregão, directly inspired the creation of the Dutch order and laid the groundwork for today's modern treaty.

Forging a modern spiritual and charitable communion

Through this concordat, both august houses mutually and formally recognize the historical origins, nobiliary rights, and legitimate fons honorum of each other's respective Orders of Saint James. Beyond mutual recognition, they have committed to a permanent spiritual communion, encouraging their chaplains, knights, and dames to remember one another in their prayers. This spiritual connection will be especially honoured on 25 July, which marks the Feast of Saint James the Greater. To honour the spirit of their historical ancestors, the two houses will also engage in joint endeavours spanning historical research, cultural exchanges, and shared charitable initiatives. These united efforts aim to reflect the virtues of Christian knighthood by focusing on the protection of the vulnerable, inspired directly by their shared origins of protecting pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago.

A celebration of interfaith friendship

On 26 August 2026, a remarkable bestowing of honours took place, highlighting a deep and enduring bond of mutual respect. His Highness Nawab Syed Kazim Ali Khan, Head of the Rohilla Kingdom of Rampur, bestowed the prestigious Order of Nishan-e-Hamidiya upon HSH Prince Georg-Viktor zu Bentheim und Steinfurt. Additionally, the same high honour was bestowed upon his son, HSH Prince Maximilian Bernd Botho zu Bentheim und Steinfurt. 

HH Sir Raza Ali Khan Bahadur GCIE, KCSI, NH, NI (1908–1966), the last ruling Nawab of Rampur, is remembered as a patron of education, culture, and reform. He served as the Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University from December 1947 to February 1966.

The Sate of Rampur was established on 7 October 1774 by Nawab Faizullah Khan, the son of Ali Mohammed Khan, founder of the Kingdom of Rohilkhand, a Jat Muslim by origin, who was adopted and converted by Sardar Daud Khan Barech. It was a prominent 15-gun salute princely state in British India. Known for its rich cultural legacy, the state became a haven for scholars and artists, leading to the creation of the famous Rampur Raza Library. The Nawab family's prominence was widely recognised internationally; during the era of the British Raj, several Nawabs of Rampur received prestigious knighthoods from the British monarch in their capacity as Emperor of India. Nawab Kalb-i-Ali Khan, for example, was knighted as a Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India (GCSI), while later rulers such as Nawab Sir Hamid Ali Khan and Nawab Sir Raza Ali Khan were also awarded grand knighthoods, including the GCSI and the Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (GCIE). During Sir Hamid's reign (1889 to 1930), his salute was raised from 13-guns to 15 as a result of Sir Hamid's army seeing distinguished service in the Middle East, Afghanistan and German East Africa during World War I. Sir Raza (reigned 1930-1956) devoted himself to charitable projects and to his post as head of the Freemasons in India as the first Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of India. 

Among the chivalric traditions of the Royal House of Rampur is the illustrious Order of Nishan-e-Hamidiya (also known as the Order of Hamid), established in 1894 by Nawab Sir Hamid Ali Khan Bahadur GCSI GCVO GCIE. This order is a distinguished dynastic decoration historically awarded to members of various royal families, representing the rich cultural and historical legacy of the Rampur State.

The recipients of this honour, the Princes of Bentheim, currently hold the esteemed positions of governor and vice governor of the Most Noble Equestrian Order of Saint James. In an aligned gesture of profound admiration, H.H. Nawab Syed Kazim Ali Khan and his sons, H.H Nawabzada Ali Mohammad Khan of Rampur, and H.H Nawabzada Haider Ali Khan of Rampur were also honoured with a knighthood in the Most Noble Equestrian Order of Saint James. 

This mutual bestowing of historic orders is far more than a formal diplomatic gesture; it is a powerful token of interfaith friendship. By aligning the Islamic heritage embodied in the Nishan-e-Hamidiya with the Christian chivalric tradition of the Most Noble Equestrian Order of Saint James, these dynasties are publicly bridging cultural and religious divides. It illustrates that shared values, historic traditions, and mutual respect can foster powerful connections across different belief systems. In doing so, this exchange promotes a vital, unifying message of global harmony and peaceful coexistence.

 

 

Exclusive Interview with H.S.H. the Prince of Bentheim for La Mesa de los Notables.

 

This article in the number one Spanish nobility blog La Mesa de los Notables, features an exclusive interview with H.S.H. Prince Georg zu Bentheim und Steinfurt, exploring his family’s rich aristocratic history and its historical connections to the Iberian Peninsula.

Key takeaways from the interview:

Professional Background: Before assuming his dynastic duties, the Prince worked in the financial sector as a banker in New York, an experience he notes was very different from his current focus on aristocratic history and archives.

Ancestral History: He discusses his 18th-century ancestor, Count Karl Paul Ernst, who was heavily influenced by the French Enlightenment, interacted with figures like Voltaire, and was involved in Freemasonry.

Dutch Royal Ties: The Prince explains his family’s deep genealogical connections to the Dutch royal family, traced primarily through the prominent Houses of Nassau and Waldeck-Pyrmont.

The Counts of Holland and the Order of Santiago: The House of Bentheim und Steinfurt considers itself the legal successor to the Counts of Holland. As part of this legacy, they act as custodians of the Very Noble Equestrian Order of Santiago, a chivalric order founded by Floris V, Count of Holland, in 1290.

• Iberian Military Connections: A major focus of the discussion is the military connection between Northern Europe and the Iberian Peninsula. The Prince highlights the participation of Count Willem I of Holland in the siege of Alcácer do Sal in 1217 (during the Fifth Crusade), where Dutch forces fought alongside the Spanish Order of Santiago.

• Call for Research: The Prince issues a public call to historians, researchers, and archivists. He encourages them to explore Spanish, Portuguese, and ecclesiastical archives for undocumented letters, chronicles, or records that could shed more light on the military and chivalric relationships between Northern European knights and the Iberian Christian kingdoms during the 12th and 13th centuries.