The Jedi Order, also referred to as the Knights of the Light, was a monastic peacekeeping order dedicated to studying and preserving the Force, specifically the light side of the Force. The Jedi Order was founded in 11,374 BBY, during the reign of the Galactic Republic, and it maintained operations throughout the remainder of the Republic's tenure. The Jedi Order also spawned the dark-sided orders of the Sith and the Dark Crusaders.