The earliest reference to the United Religious, Military and Masonic Orders of the Temple occurred at around 1777, but it was not until 1845 that the ritual was standardised and the order steadily expanded. Today there are nearly 700 Preceptories on the roll of The Great Priory of England and Wales and Provinces Overseas. Whilst there is no claim to any historical connection to the medieval Military Orders of this name, the ritual is based around its history and exploits and the “Rule” of the Order given to them by the Pope.