The Richard Hastyngs Preceptory is celebrating its 20th anniversary this month, having been consecrated on 13th September 2006. Twenty years ago at the consecration, the then Provincial Prelate, Peter Staniforth, gave this Oration. In consecrating a new Preceptory, we should all hold in mind those salient facts and judgements about the Knights Templar. What is well known about them provides the context in which future members of this Order will operate. Present-day ritual cen