Museum of the Order of St John

Events at Museum of the Order of St John

• The Order Collections

  Exhibition

  Recurring event

  These collections are extremely varied, covering all aspects of the history of an Order founded in the 11th century and operating in most European countries. There are archaeological finds, architectural fragments and social history material relating to the Priory site; seals and numismatics, including an important collection of crusader coins; arms and armour, mainly European plated armour but also an example of Turkish Ottoman mail; drug jars, mortars and weights from the Hospitallers pharmacy in Malta; decorative arts (portrait medals, ceramics, glass, silver, furniture, jewellery, insignia, textiles, ecclesiastical vestments) reflecting the tastes of the European aristocratic families who joined the Order and became significant patrons of the arts.

   

• The St John Ambulance Collections

  Exhibition

  Recurring event

  These collections form a unique record of the organisation, covering the history of St John Ambulance (Association and Brigade) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and in countries overseas, from its origins in the 1870s up until the present day. Here are just a few examples to give a sense of the scope of the collections. Equipment ranges in size from examples of early ambulance transport to a Victorian nurses miniature first aid kit. There are training books written in numerous languages and first aid information comes in many forms, from cigarette cards to pop-up books and even on bandages.