The Order of the “Chevaliers Bienfaisants de la Cité Sainte” (CBCS) is the “Inner Order” (“Ordre Intérieur”) of the Rectified Scottish Rite, and its character and history cannot be understood without taking into account the history of its insertion in this masonic-chivalric System (or “rite”). The Rectified Scottish Rite was founded about 1780 by a group of French freemasons under the leadership of → Jean-Baptiste Willermoz (1730-1824) who intended to reform → Freemasonry, which they deemed had lost touch with its essential nature and aim. This reformation was carri…