Lord Sanct Johnis

Overview and Issues

The role of Preceptor William Knollis (d. 1510) in abandoning the low profile of the Order in Scotland and actively involving Scottish Hospitallers in government, almost two centuries after the Order in England and Ireland.

• WG131

Abstract

This article puts the figures depicted in Dunnett’s novels within a wider historical context. William Knollis was the first and only preceptor of Torphichen to achieve a significant role as a royal councillor; both his successors and predecessors were comparatively obscure.The author examines the wider context of the Scottish Hospitallers depicted in Dorothy Dunnett's novels, determining why the preceptors of Torphichen took on a role as Crown servants so late, and why they slid into unimportance again after Knollis’s death. One of the author's four reasons for Scotland's late active engagement with the Crown was because the destruction caused by the Scottish Wars of Independence delayed the Order’s development in Scotland, leaving them unable to act as royal servants until the early 15th century. Knollis managed to transform the post of preceptor of Torphichen into not just a lord of parliament, but also a leading royal councillor.

Author

• Rory MacLellan

Dunnett Book References

• TLWL
• GEM
• UH

Historical People

• William Knollis
• David I
• Edward IV
• Prior William Fitz Roger
• James I
• James III of Scotland
• James IV
• James V
• George Dundas
• James Sandilands
• James Hamilton
• Mary, Queen of Scots
• Alexander de Leighton

Fictional Characters

• (none)

Locations

• Torphichen
• Linlithgow
• Rhodes
• Sauchieburn

Literature

• (none)

Illustrations

• Rory giving his presentation at the Dunnett Weekend. Photo: Tom Blackie.

Historical Events

• Battle of Tewkesbury
• [[Great Schism which began after 1378 and began to undermine the brethren. This dispute began in 1378 when

two different popes were elected, one based in Rome, the other in Avignon.

Other References

• (none)

Quotes from Dunnett

• (none)