The French Revolution deprived the Order of all their privileges and possessions in France, (19th September, 1792) while in 1798, Malta fell into the hands of Napoleon by the cowardly capitulation of Baron Hompesch, their Grand Master. Though the Emperor Paul of Russia declared himself in the same year Grand Master, and though Malta was conquered by England in 1801, it was never returned to the Order, which was deprived, at the same time, of its possessions in Germany, by the Princes of the Rhenish Confederation.
Having thus lost all political importance, the Order was no longer headed by a Grand Master, but by a deputy Grand Master, who resided from 1805 to 1814 at Catanea and afterwards at Ferrara. In more recent times, some of its possessions in Lombardy, Parma, Modena, Lucca and Naples, were restored. The Order still exists in those states, as also in Bohemia, Russia, and Spain, though under a modified constitution, and in separate bodies. Since 1831, the Deputy Grand Master has resided at Rome.
The members are divided into professed Knights, i. e. Knights who have really sworn to the constitution and made the vows prescribed by the statutes, and honorary Knights who are merely allowed to wear the dress and insignia without strictly belonging to the Order. The favour is granted to Catholic noblemen of honourable reputation, and of noble descent by both parents. The first class only exists in countries where the Order is. still in possession of some landed property.
The costume of the Knights of the first class, consists of a frock-coat of scarlet cloth, with white lining, facings, collar, hat and plume. That of the second class is a similar coat, but with black velvet lining, facings and collar, and a black hat and plume. Both classes have white hat flaps, epaulettes with thick golden tassels, buttons, spurs, and hat string
