List of Grand Masters of the Constantinian Order of Saint George


This is a list of Grand Masters of the Constantinian Order of Saint George, a dynastic order of knighthood of the Catholic Church. Although it was founded by Albanian nobles claiming descent from the Byzantine Angelos dynasty in the 16th century, the order has throughout its existence maintained that it has its origin in Ancient Roman times, supposedly founded by Constantine the Great in the 4th century.' This is more or less impossible, as there are no Roman or Byzantine records of such an institution ever existing and chivalric orders being completely unknown in the Byzantine world.'
The founders of the order, the "Angelo Flavio Comneno" family, provided great genealogies tracing their descent back to the 4th century, with Grand Masters covering the period from the Constantinian dynasty to the 16th century. These Grand Masters, maintained in modern official lists of Grand Masters, are either entirely invented or real historical figures but with no connection to the chivalric order. Though many later impostors and pretenders to Byzantine titles have claimed to be the legitimate Grand Masters of the order, this list presents the official legendary line of Grand Masters from 313 to 1545, followed by the accepted line of Grand Masters from the Angelo Flavio Comneno, Farnese and later Bourbon families as per Sainty.

Legendary and supposed Grand Masters (313–1570)

Roman Constantinian dynasty (313–361)

Invented/legendary figures (361–1453)

Genuine historical figures (1453–1570)

Historical Grand Masters (1545–present)

House of Angelo Flavio Comneno (1545–1698)

House of Farnese (1698–1731)

House of Bourbon (1731–present)

Disputed succession (1960–present)

Succession to the position of Grand Master has been disputed since 1960. In 1894, Prince Alfonso became the Head of the House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, but he renounced his claim to the right to the Crown of Two Sicilies in 1900. When Ferdinand Pius died without children in 1960, the Infante Alfonso, grandson of Ferdinand Pius, reclaimed his rights. A brother of Ferdinand Pius, Ranieri, objected to this and also claimed the rights due to the renunciation of rights in 1900. The dispute is still not resolved. While most royal houses in Europe recognize the claim of Ranieri's descendants, the Spanish Royal House recognizes the claim of Alfonso's descendants.
Senior (Hispano-Neapolitan) branch
Franco-Neapolitan branch