Knights of Saint Mary
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The Knights of Saint Mary were a Dominican monastic order founded by Loderingo Andalò and other members of his family at Ronzano near Bologna, Italy in 1233. Also known as the Order of the Glorious Saint Mary, and the Jovial (or Joyous) Friars (Frati Gaudenti, in Latin)), the Order was approved by Pope Alexander IV in 1261. It was the first religious order of knighthood to grant women the rank of militissa. Its mission was to promote peace between warring municipal factions, but its members soon succumbed to self interest and it was suppressed by Sixtus V in 1558.
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