The Royal Order of the Knights of Sardine dates back to ancient times. Ancient Greeks lay claim to what we now know as tinned sardines, but even the Greeks know not the true origin of the name of the order: " Ancient & Esteemed Order of the Knights of Sardine." Herodotus wrote, " The sardine, preserved in a casing of hard material matter, is even older than the Greeks perceive."
Atlantis was said to be the home of the Order, from accounts by Plato. The knowledge of preserving Sardines in exotic oils and sealing/canning them in bronze, was knowledge held by most People of Atlantis. Considered a food for the gods (long before ambrosia) and god-like-men, knowledge of the processing never left Atlantis, only the bronze canisters of sardines.
Sardines would be sealed individually in bronze for kings and their soothsayers. Preserved sardines were such a valuable and rare commodity that they would only be transported at night, under heavy guard. (This is where "Knights of Sardine" came from, since they were transported at night, with the guardsman forming a K in formation.)
The Ancient & Esteemed Order of The Knights of Sardine felt this knowledge and powerful food should be the food of man, and not just of Gods and Kings. Knowing the Fate of Prometheus in his act of helping mankind, the Order knew the sacrifice they would be making. Word of this got to Atlas, who in turn ran to his father Poseidon. Poseidon, in a rage, sent great earthquakes and storms,flooding and sinking Atlantis into the great depths of the Atlantic in order to destroy the knowledge of the sardine canning process.
As Sardine Eater Donavan sings in his song "Atlantis", a few people of Atlantis escaped upon ships, going and settling in all corners of the earth, taking with them the sardine canning knowledge. The Order, knowing the wrath of the Gods, only canned Sardines in secret for many centuries. With time, all fades, even Gods. What Knowledge there was of the Ancient Order, their ancient history and written accounts, were lost in the fire that destroyed the Ancient Library of Alexandria.
In Medieval times, The Ancient & Esteemed Order of The Knights of Sardine were still canning sardines for kings and their wizards. Studies on foods in antiquity show that without the omega-3s and other nutrients for brain health from the consumption of Sardines, there would of been no Wizards.
Knights, as they are known today, were fashioned and named in honor of the canned sardines of the time. Suits of armor represented the individual casing around the sardine. Their sword represented the key, which was used to open the casings.
Based on the writings about King Arthur, it was oil left over from Merlin's empty sardine "cans" that boy Arthur used to pour on Excalibur's blade, making it possible for Arthur to pull the sword from the stone.
One of the worst times in history for the Ancient & Esteemed Order of The Knights of Sardine was during the 16th and 17th centuries. By this time, The Ancient & Esteemed Order had been able to supply canned sardines to a larger group, known as the "Sardine Eaters".
Sardine Eaters, in an attempt to bring the knowledge of canned sardines to the world, were accused of witch craft. This started what is known today as the witch trials!
Since Sardines are a very perishable fish, the only people at the time who were able to enjoy sardines were people who resided by the sea shores and towns in close proximity to the ocean. The perishable sardine could only be shipped during the winter months on ice.
When Sardine Eaters were spotted eating sardines in the the country side during the middle of summer, cries of witch craft rang across the land. Sardine Eaters and the Ancient & Esteemed Order were accused of trapping the seasons in a vessel, and of consuming to what they believed was non-rotting fish that should not be available in that area.
Scholars are most familiar with cats being the most accused animal of the trials since they were witches' familiars. Cats. Sardines. Cats told on all Sardine Eaters by being drawn to the delicious aroma of sardines.
Since sardines were the most common items linking a person to witchcraft, the most common witch-hunting method used was "swimming" or "ducking" (based on the ancient "ordeal by water").
At this point, the Ancient & Esteemed Order went underground. Sardines were eaten from containers in the shadows at secret gatherings for the next several centuries.
By the 18th century, the witch hysteria had almost all died down, and the Ancient & Esteemed Order Of The Knights of Sardine would once again have an opportunity to bring forth the skill and knowledge of canning and preserving, inspired by war.
Napoleon Bonaparte expanded his quest to conquer the world. As French troops invaded neighboring countries, sustainable food on the go with long shelf life was a must for the army during its long forays. A prize of 12,000 francs was offered to anyone for help.
The Order, seeing its opportunity, visited a Parisian man by the name of Nicolas Appert, in 1795 at his confectioner shop. An Order member strategically dropped the canning secret in Appert's shop. Appert later became known as "The Father of Canning".
At this time, The Ancient & Esteemed Order of The Knights of Sardine came out from the underground, changing their name to The Royal Order of The Knights of Sardine.
A Royal Order member, an Englishman named Peter Durand, was granted a patent from King George III for the idea of preserving sardines in containers made out of tinplate. They were made of iron coated with tin to prevent rusting and corrosion.
Sardine Eaters, Bryan Donkin and John Hall, used Durand's patent, and after more than a year of experimentation, set up the first commercial canning facility in Bermondsey, England in 1812.
By this time, the Royal Order was back in the public's eye and helping man kind once again.
Both names of The Order: "Ancient & Esteemed" and "Royal", are still used in certain circles, fish shops and canneries to this day. The rest is history.
The next time you pop a tin, stop and think about The Royal Order of The Knights of Sardine, and the sacrifices they made for you to enjoy that tin of Sardines.
More adventures of the Royal Order will reveal itself periodically on the page "History of The Order".
Atlantis was said to be the home of the Order, from accounts by Plato. The knowledge of preserving Sardines in exotic oils and sealing/canning them in bronze, was knowledge held by most People of Atlantis. Considered a food for the gods (long before ambrosia) and god-like-men, knowledge of the processing never left Atlantis, only the bronze canisters of sardines.
Sardines would be sealed individually in bronze for kings and their soothsayers. Preserved sardines were such a valuable and rare commodity that they would only be transported at night, under heavy guard. (This is where "Knights of Sardine" came from, since they were transported at night, with the guardsman forming a K in formation.)
The Ancient & Esteemed Order of The Knights of Sardine felt this knowledge and powerful food should be the food of man, and not just of Gods and Kings. Knowing the Fate of Prometheus in his act of helping mankind, the Order knew the sacrifice they would be making. Word of this got to Atlas, who in turn ran to his father Poseidon. Poseidon, in a rage, sent great earthquakes and storms,flooding and sinking Atlantis into the great depths of the Atlantic in order to destroy the knowledge of the sardine canning process.
As Sardine Eater Donavan sings in his song "Atlantis", a few people of Atlantis escaped upon ships, going and settling in all corners of the earth, taking with them the sardine canning knowledge. The Order, knowing the wrath of the Gods, only canned Sardines in secret for many centuries. With time, all fades, even Gods. What Knowledge there was of the Ancient Order, their ancient history and written accounts, were lost in the fire that destroyed the Ancient Library of Alexandria.
In Medieval times, The Ancient & Esteemed Order of The Knights of Sardine were still canning sardines for kings and their wizards. Studies on foods in antiquity show that without the omega-3s and other nutrients for brain health from the consumption of Sardines, there would of been no Wizards.
Knights, as they are known today, were fashioned and named in honor of the canned sardines of the time. Suits of armor represented the individual casing around the sardine. Their sword represented the key, which was used to open the casings.
Based on the writings about King Arthur, it was oil left over from Merlin's empty sardine "cans" that boy Arthur used to pour on Excalibur's blade, making it possible for Arthur to pull the sword from the stone.
One of the worst times in history for the Ancient & Esteemed Order of The Knights of Sardine was during the 16th and 17th centuries. By this time, The Ancient & Esteemed Order had been able to supply canned sardines to a larger group, known as the "Sardine Eaters".
Sardine Eaters, in an attempt to bring the knowledge of canned sardines to the world, were accused of witch craft. This started what is known today as the witch trials!
Since Sardines are a very perishable fish, the only people at the time who were able to enjoy sardines were people who resided by the sea shores and towns in close proximity to the ocean. The perishable sardine could only be shipped during the winter months on ice.
When Sardine Eaters were spotted eating sardines in the the country side during the middle of summer, cries of witch craft rang across the land. Sardine Eaters and the Ancient & Esteemed Order were accused of trapping the seasons in a vessel, and of consuming to what they believed was non-rotting fish that should not be available in that area.
Scholars are most familiar with cats being the most accused animal of the trials since they were witches' familiars. Cats. Sardines. Cats told on all Sardine Eaters by being drawn to the delicious aroma of sardines.
Since sardines were the most common items linking a person to witchcraft, the most common witch-hunting method used was "swimming" or "ducking" (based on the ancient "ordeal by water").
At this point, the Ancient & Esteemed Order went underground. Sardines were eaten from containers in the shadows at secret gatherings for the next several centuries.
By the 18th century, the witch hysteria had almost all died down, and the Ancient & Esteemed Order Of The Knights of Sardine would once again have an opportunity to bring forth the skill and knowledge of canning and preserving, inspired by war.
Napoleon Bonaparte expanded his quest to conquer the world. As French troops invaded neighboring countries, sustainable food on the go with long shelf life was a must for the army during its long forays. A prize of 12,000 francs was offered to anyone for help.
The Order, seeing its opportunity, visited a Parisian man by the name of Nicolas Appert, in 1795 at his confectioner shop. An Order member strategically dropped the canning secret in Appert's shop. Appert later became known as "The Father of Canning".
At this time, The Ancient & Esteemed Order of The Knights of Sardine came out from the underground, changing their name to The Royal Order of The Knights of Sardine.
A Royal Order member, an Englishman named Peter Durand, was granted a patent from King George III for the idea of preserving sardines in containers made out of tinplate. They were made of iron coated with tin to prevent rusting and corrosion.
Sardine Eaters, Bryan Donkin and John Hall, used Durand's patent, and after more than a year of experimentation, set up the first commercial canning facility in Bermondsey, England in 1812.
By this time, the Royal Order was back in the public's eye and helping man kind once again.
Both names of The Order: "Ancient & Esteemed" and "Royal", are still used in certain circles, fish shops and canneries to this day. The rest is history.
The next time you pop a tin, stop and think about The Royal Order of The Knights of Sardine, and the sacrifices they made for you to enjoy that tin of Sardines.
More adventures of the Royal Order will reveal itself periodically on the page "History of The Order".
