What is grand knights history?

Grand Knights were historically leaders of military orders, a type of religious order founded for the purpose of defending the Holy Land during the Crusades. The most famous of these military orders were the Knights Templar, the Knights Hospitaller, and the Teutonic Knights.

Grand Knights had supreme authority within their respective orders and were responsible for leading their knights in battle, managing the order's finances and resources, and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the order's estates and holdings. They were elected by their fellow knights and usually held the title for life, although in some cases they could be deposed for incompetence or misconduct.

The office of Grand Knight was often a position of great prestige and power, and many Grand Knights played a crucial role in the events of the time. For example, the Grand Master of the Knights Hospitaller, Jean Parisot de la Valette, led the defense of Malta during the Great Siege of 1565, earning him a place in history as a hero of the Order.

After the decline of the Crusader states in the 13th and 14th centuries, the military orders shifted their focus to charitable work and the defense of Christian territories in Europe. The role of the Grand Knight diminished accordingly, although the titles are still used in some modern-day chivalric orders and fraternal organizations.