The Societas Draconistarum, or Society of the Dragon, also known as the Order of the Dragon, was founded in 1408 by Sigismund of Luxembourg, also known as Sigismund of Hungary, who became Holy Roman Emperor.  Its original purpose was to help keep Sigismund's government and territories strong by fighting the Ottoman Empire.  It also became a collection of Sigismund's friends who were dedicated to each other's wellbeing.  A decent summary of the general history of the Societas in the 15th Century can be found on Wikipedia.

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While Sigismund was the original fons honorum of the Society, its restoration was engineered by Patriarch Gyula IV of the Byzantine Greek Church of Hungary, also Grand Prince of Erdely of the Corvus-Gyulai family.  The current fons honorum is Samuel II, Thirteenth Patriarch of the Byzantine Greek Church of Hungary.

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With regard to the history of the region and the Corvus-Gyulai line, ​Exarch and Crown Prince Matyas Corvus II writes, "The South Eastern Frontier region Known as Dacia (BC 500-AD 853) Erdely of the Hungarian and later Austria-Hungary (853-1920 1941-1944 Szeged Region To Present) and Ardeal Romania (1920-1940 1944-present) was an Autonomous State for all its history and an Independent State for much of its history. Dacia Erdely Ardeal Transylvania was Governed By a Grand Prince throughout most of the Time of Independence. Kings Of Hungary from Erdely Ardeal Transylvania include the First Renaissance King Matyas I, who conquered Bohemia, Upper and Lower German Palatines and Ruled from Vienna; Romanian Kings include King John Romanian Hungarian King and Christian Military Protector of Europe, independent kings include the Bathory dynasty and famous Military General Gyulai. The Four Historical States of Erdely Ardeal Szekely and Siebenburgen now are in Hungary, Romania, Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Germany, Austria, Poland, and Ukraine and the ethnic makeup was very diverse including Eastern, Central, Slavic, Russian, Western Europeans and many Asian peoples,"  The Gyulai family includes 19th century Austrian general and chief of staff Ferencz Gyulai, and Countess Ilona Edelsheim-Gyulai, who fought against the Nazis.

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Unlike the knighthood of 1408, the modern Knights Baron (and Dames Baroness) of the Society of the Dragon do not need to be territorial rulers, or of any particular country or religion, reflecting the diversity of the early region of the Societas Draconistarum itself.  All with sincere interest in the current practice of chivalry and in charity and good works are welcome to join and to share in fellowship with others with the same goals.  The Mid-Atlantic Commandery is part of the  US Grand Commandery of the Society of the Dragon, with Commanderies throughout the country as well as "wandering knights" who are independent of commandery membership either because of location or of personal pursuits.​

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Members of the Society may be members of other chivalric or fraternal organizations as well. Internationally, some members are affiliated with the Royal Order of Constantine the Great and Saint Helen, with the Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus, and with the Orthodox Order of Saint Anna.

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Current members around the world include active clergy, royalty, members of nobility, and descendants of the founder, Sigismund, as well as people of all walks of life -- mothers, grandfathers, both the working and the disabled, and people of all levels of income.  If history beckons you and the desire to make something greater of yourself by helping others and having the fellowship of other believers in a traditional form of doing good appeals to you, then contact us, preferably at one of our Facebook pages' messengers. (See Updates on home page or Links section.)

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Please note: The original Societas Draconistarum and its revival under the Byzantine Greek Patriarch of Hungary have no relation to any other Society or Order or Court of the Dragon, including the legitimate Vietnamese military Order of the Dragon.  Some of these are legitimate martial arts sites -- but we are not a martial arts organization.  We are not affiliated with any fantasy, conspiracy, or roleplaying sites using similar or identical names, nor are we affiliated with Nicholas De Vere, Laurence Gardner, Prince Michael of Albany, or any related persons who have used the name of the Society without actual historicity.