VAULT - Order of the Royal Knights of St-John

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Order of the Royal Knights of St-John

The Sovereign Military Order of Malta

Pro Fide + Pro Utilitate Hominum

Nation: Knights of St. John
Head of State: Grand Master Jacques de Milly
Religion: Catholic
Culture: Italian, French
Stats: 1/1/4/4/2(1) --> [1/1/4/4/1]
Provinces: 1
Ports: 1
Owned: Rhodes
Vassal of the Papal States -1 Economy​

THE KNIGHTS OF CHRIST may safely fight the battles of their Lord, fearing neither sin if they smite the enemy, nor danger at their own death; since to inflict death or to die for Christ is no sin, but rather, an abundant claim to glory. In the first case one gains for Christ, and in the second one gains Christ himself. The Lord freely accepts the death of the foe who has offended him, and yet more freely gives himself for the consolation of his fallen knight.

The knight of Christ, I say, may strike with confidence and die yet more confidently, for he serves Christ when he strikes, and serves himself when he falls. Neither does he bear the sword in vain, for he is God's minister, for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of the good. If he kills an evildoer, he is not a mankiller, but, if I may so put it, a killer of evil. He is evidently the avenger of Christ towards evildoers and he is rightly considered a defender of Christians. Should he be killed himself, we know that he has not perished, but has come safely into port. When he inflicts death it is to Christ's profit, and when he suffers death, it is for his own gain. The Christian glories in the death of the pagan, because Christ is glorified; while the death of the Christian gives occasion for the King to show his liberality in the rewarding of his knight. In the one case the just shall rejoice when he sees justice done, and in the other man shall say, truly there is a reward for the just; truly it is God who judges the earth.

Pauperibus servus, pius hospitibus . . . .
Undique collegit pasceret unde sous.

Grant of Arms to the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem by Pope Alexander IV (1259)​

Fratribus militibus Hospitalis S. Johannis Jerosolimitani chlamyde nigra et, in bellis, superinsigniis militaribus utendi facultatem concedit. (REG. 25, f. 217, an. V, c. 172.)

Magistro et fratribus Hospitalis Sancti Johannis Ierosolimitani.

Cum ordinem vestrum omnipotens Deus in Ecclesia sua velut columpnam immobilem super obedientie basem erexerit ad fulcimentum necessarium Terre Sancte, cujus estis athlete incliti, robusti pugiles et propugnatores electi, et pro cujus defensione ad preliandum prelia Dornini contra sui blasfemos nominis salvivice crucis vos armis insignibus accinxistis, cum etiam vos sitis populus Dei egregius, gens magnifica et strenua multitudo justorum, consilium et congregatio fortium Regis regum, in quorum reve ra manibus gladii sunt ancipites et ardentes lucerne ad faciendam vindictam in nationibus et scrutandam Domini civitatem, digne ipsum ordinem et vos tanquam Christi milites in quibus suscitavit Dominus in illis partibus fortium Machabeorum spiritum, et aliorum veterum earundem partium bellatorum congruis intendimus roborare favoribus et condignis gratiis adaugere illaque vobis concedere que ad incrementum vestre religionis dicteque Terre subsidium redundare noscuntur. Sane quia intelleximus quod inter fratres vestri ordinis milites et alios nulla distinctio per aliquam indumentorum diversitatem, sicut in plerisque aliis consimilibus sit religionibus, observatur, propter quod contingit quod multorum nobilium qui, mundi relictis illecebris, sub ejusdem vestre religionis habitu eligerent insistere predicte Terre presidio erga prefatum ordinem caritas refrigescit, nos cupientes ut idem ordo continuis, auctore Domino, amplificetur commodis, et votivis concrescat augmentis, presentium vobis auctoritate concedimus ut unanimiter statuere ac deinceps inviolabiliter observare possitis apud fratres milites ejusdem ordinis clamidem nigram deferant, ut ab aliis ejusdem ordinis fratribus discernantur. In bellis autem sive in preliis utantur juppellis et aliis superinsigniis militaribus, que sint coloris rubri, et in quibus etiam crux albi coloris sit in vestri vexilli modum assuta, ut in hujusmodi uniformitate signorum animorum idemptitas evidenter appareat, et ex hoc per consequens salus proveniat personarum. Nulli nostre concessionis etc.

Dat. Anagnie, III idus augusti, anno quinto.

To the Master and brothers of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem.

As almighty God has established your order in his Church as a column fixed on the base of obedience for the necessary protection of the Holy Land, of which you are the famous athletes, the robust fighters and the chosen champions, and in whose defense you have girded yourselves with the ensigns of the cross to fight the war of God against the blasphemers of his name; and as you are the eminent people of God, splendid nation and zealous crowd of just men, the council and gathering of strong men of the King of kings, in whose hands truly swords are double-edged and shining beacons in the search for justice among nations and for the city of God; we intend to comfort with suitable favors and enlarge with appropriate gifts the worthy order itself and you, knights of Christ, in whom God has instilled the spirit of the strong Macchabees and of other ancient warriors in those lands, and we intend to grant you what we know will contribute to the growth of your order and the protection of the said Land. And because we understand that among the brothers of your order there is no distinction in clothing between the knights and the others, as there is in most similar orders, and for that reason many noblemen who, having forsaken the seductions of the world, decide to go to the defense of said Land under the garment of your order, but faced with the above-mentioned observance, see their ardor cool; we, desirous that this order increase, with the help of the Lord, with ceaseless and increased donations, by the authority of the present we grant you, so that you may unanimously enact and thereafter inviolably observe among the brothers, that knights of the said order wear a black mantle, so that they be distinguished from the other brothers of the order. And, in war and in combat, that they use surcoats and other coats of arms, that are red, and in which a white cross is sewn in the manner of your banner, so that, in such uniformity of emblems the identity of souls become evident, and that the salvation of the persons might follow as a consequence.

Given at Anagni, 11 August, 5th year.

 

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Library Archives of the Sacred Order

Sacred Archives of the Order

PAPAL BULL CONFIRMING THE FOUNDATION OF THE ORDER

Paschal the Bishop, servant of the servants of God, to his venerable son Gérard, founder and Provost (prepositus) of the Xenodocheum of Jerusalem, and to his lawful successors forever.

A pious request and desire should meet with satisfaction and fulfillment. For as much as of your affection you have requested that the Xenodocheum, which you have founded in the City of Jerusalem, near to the Church of the Blessed John Baptist, should be supported by the Apostolic See, and fostered by the patronage of the Blessed Apostle Peter. We therefore, Being much pleased with the piety and earnestness of your Hospital work (Hospitalitas), do receive your petition with paternal kindness, and do ordain by virtue of the present decree that the House of God the Xenodocheum shall always be under the guardianship of the Apostolic See, and the protection of the Blessed Peter.

All things therefore that have been acquired for the said Xenodocheum by your solicitude and perseverance, for the support of pilgrims, and for the needs of the poor, whether in the Church in Jerusalem or in the parishes of churches in the territory of other cities, or have been presented by faithful men, no matter who, or may be presented in the future by the Grace of God, or may happen to be acquired by other lawful means, and whatsoever things have been granted, by our venerable brethren the Bishops of the Church in Jerusalem, either to you or to your successors and to the brethren there occupied in the care of the pilgrims, we decree shall be held forever in peace and undiminished.

Moreover we ordain that the Tithes of your produce. where so ever collected at your charge and by your labour, shall be held and possessed by your Xenodocheum, notwithstanding the opposition of the Bishops and of the episcopal officers.

The donations also, which pious Princes have made to the said Xenodocheum from taxes and other imposts, we decree shall be held confirmed.

And at your death, who art now the overseer (provisor) and Provost of that place, no one shall be appointed there by subtlety or intrigue or violence, but only he whom the professed brethren there shall provide and elect in accordance with God's will.

Moreover all honours or possessions, which the said Xenodocheum at present holds either beyond or on this side the sea, that is to say in Asia or in Europe, or those which in the future by the bounty of God it shall obtain, we confirm them to you and to your successors, who shall be devoting themselves to hospital work with piety and earnestness, and through you to the said Xenodocheum forever.

To this we further decree that it shall be lawful for no man whatsoever rashly to disturb the said Xenodocheum, or to carry off its possessions, or to retain those carried off, or to lesson them, or to harass it with vexatious annoyances. But let all its possessions be preserved undiminished for the sole use and enjoyment of those for whose maintenance and support they have been granted.

Moreover we decree that the Xenodochea or Ptochea in the western parts at Bourg St. Gilles, Asti, Pisa, Bari, Otranto, Tarento, and Messina, known by the name and style of Jerusalem shall remain as they are today under your rule and disposition and those of your successors forever.

If therefore in the future any person, either ecclesiastic or secular, knowing this chapter of our ordinances should rashly attempt to contravene them, and if after a second or third warning he shall not make satisfactory and suitable amends, let him be deprived of his dignity, power and honour, and let him know he stand accused before the tribunal of God for iniquity that he has perpetrated, and let him be kept from the most Sacred Body and Blood of our God and Redeemer our Lord Jesus Christ, and at the Last Judgement let him undergo the severest punishment. But upon all those dealing justly towards the said place may the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ rest, and here they may receive the reward of good conduct, and before the universal Judge may enjoy the blessings of everlasting peace. Amen. Amen.

I Paschal Bishop of the Catholic Church have signed.

I Richard Bishop of Albano have signed.

I Landulf Archbishop of Benevento have read and signed.

I Conan Bishop of the Church of Praeneste have read and signed.

I Anastasius Cardinal Priest of San Clemente have signed.

I John Bishop of Malta have read and signed.

I Romoald Cardinal Deacon of the Church of Rome have signed.

I Gregory Cardinal Priest of San Crisogono have read and signed.

Given at Benevento by the hand of John, Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church and Librarian , on the 15th day before the Calends of March, in the 6th Indiction, in the year 1113 of the Incarnation of Our Lord, and in the 14th year of the Pontificate of our Lord Pope Paschal II. Fare you well.

THE RULE OF THE ORDER OF ST. JOHN

This is the CONSTITUTION ORDAINED BY BROTHER RAYMOND.-

In the name of God, I Raymond Servant of Christ's poor and Warden of the Hospital of Jerusalem, with the counsel of all the Chapter, both clerical and lay brethren, have established these commandments in the House of the Hospital of Jerusalem.

HOW THE BRETHREN SHOULD MAKE THEIR PROFESSION: Firstly, I ordain that all the brethren, engaging in the service of the poor, should keep the three thing with the aid of God which they have promised to God, that is to say, chastity and obedience, which means whatever thing is commanded them by their masters, and to live without property of their own: because God will require these three things of them at the Last Judgement.

WHAT THE BRETHREN SHOULD CLAIM AS THEIR DUE: And let them not claim more as their due than bread and water and raiment, which things are promised to them. And their clothing should be humble, because Our Lord's poor, whose servants we confess ourselves to be, go naked. And it is a thing wrong and improper for the servant that he should be proud, and his Lord should be humble.

CONCERNING THE CONDUCT OF THE BRETHREN AND THE SERVICE OF THE CHURCHES AND THE RECEPTION OF THE SICK: Moreover this is decreed that their conduct should be decorous in church, and that their conversation should be appropriate, that is to say, that the clerics, deacons and sub-deacons, should serve the priest at the alter in white raiment, and if the thing shall be necessary another cleric should render the service, and there should be a light every day in the church, both by day and by night, and the priest should go in white raiment to visit the sick, bearing reverently the Body of Our Lord, and the deacon and the sub-deacon, or at least an acolyte should go before, bearing a lantern with a candle burning, and the sponge with the holy water.

HOW THE BRETHREN SHOULD GO ABROAD AND BEHAVE: Moreover, when the brethren shall go to the cities and castles, let them not go alone but two or three together, and they shall not go there with those whom they would, but with those whom their Master shall order, and when they shall become there where they would go, let them remain together as united in their conduct as in their dress. And let nothing be done in their movements which might offend the eyes of anyone, but only that which reveals their holiness. Moreover, when they shall be in a church or in a house or in any other place where there are women, let them keep guard over their modesty, and let no women wash their heads or their feet, or make their beds. May Our Lord, who dwells among his saints, keep guard over them in this matter.
BY WHOM AND HOW ALMS SHOULD BE SOUGHT: Also let religious persons, both clerical and lay brethren, go forth to seek alms for the holy poor; also when they shall seek for a lodging (hostel), let them go to the church or to some suitable person and let them ask of him their food for charity sake, and let them buy nothing else. But if they should not find anyone who will give them the necessaries, let them buy by measure one meal only, on which they shall live.

CONCERNING THE ALMS OBTAINED AND CONCERNING THE PRODUCE OF THE HOUSES: Also let them take neither land nor security from the alms collected, but let them deliver them up to the Master with an account in writing, and let the Master deliver them up with his own account in writing to the poor in the hospital; and let the Master receive from all the Obediences the third part of the bread and wine and of all food, and that which shall be surplus should be added to the alms, and let him hand it over in Jerusalem to the poor with his own account in writing.

WHO AND IN WHAT MANNER THEY SHOULD GO ABROAD TO PREACH: And let not any of the brethren, of whatever Obedience they may be, go to preach or to make collections, except only those whom the Chapter and the Master of the Church shall send. And let those same brethren, who shall go to make collections, be received in whatever Obedience they shall come, and let them receive such food as the brethren have ordained among themselves, and let them demand no other thing. Also let them carry with them a light, and in whatever house they shall be lodged (herbergié), let them cause the light to burn before them.

CONCERNING THE CLOTHING AND FOOD OF THE BRETHREN: Furthermore also we forbid the brethren to wear at any time brightly coloured cloth (dras ysambruns ne galembruns) or furs of animals (pennes sauvages) or fustian. Also let them not eat more than twice in the day, and let them eat no meat on Wednesdays or Saturdays, or from Septuagesima until Easter, except those who are sick or feeble; and let them never lie down naked, but clothed in shirts or linen or wool, or in other similar garments.

CONCERNING BRETHREN GUILTY OF FORNICATION: But if any of the brethren, and may such a thing never happen, through sinful passion shall fall into fornication, if he shall sin in secret, let him do his penance in secret, and let him impose upon himself suitable penance; and if it shall be well known and proved absolutely for certain, then in that town in which he shall have committed the sin, on the Sunday after Mass, when the people shall have left the church, let him be severely beaten and flogged with hard rods (verges) or leather thongs (corroies) in the sight of all by his Master or by other brethren commanded by the Master, and let him be expelled out of all our company: and after wards if Our Lord shall enlighten the heart of that man, and he shall return to the House of the Poor, and shall confess himself to be guilty and a sinner and the transgressor against the law of God, and shall promise amendment, he should be received and for a whole year should be treated as a stranger, and the brethren should observe during this period of time whether he be satisfactory, and afterwards let them do as shall seem good to them.

CONCERNING BRETHREN QUARRELLING AND STRIKING ONE ANOTHER: Also if any brother dispute with another brother, and the Procurator of the House shall have heard the complaint, the penance should be as follows: he shall fast for seven days, the Wednesday and the Friday on bread and water, and he shall eat seated on the ground without table and without napkin (toaille). And if the brother shall strike another brother he shall fast for forty days. And if he shall depart from the House, or the Master under whose authority he shall be, wilfully and without the leave of his Master, and afterwards he shall return, he shall eat for forty days seated on the ground, and shall fast on Wednesdays and Fridays on bread and water; and for as long a time as he has been absent, let him be treated as a stranger, unless by chance the time should have been so long that the Chapter should think proper to modify it.

CONCERNING THE SILENCE OF THE BRETHREN: Also at table, as the Apostle says, let each one eat his bread in silence, and let him not drink after Compline. Also let the brethren keep silence in their beds.

CONCERNING BRETHREN MISBEHAVING: And if any brother shall not conduct himself well, and shall be admonished and corrected by his Master or by other brethren twice or three times, and if, at the instigation of the Devil, he will not amend his ways not obey, he should be sent to us on foot with a written report of his sin; and always a small allowance (procuration) should be given to him sufficient to enable him to come to us, and we will correct him; and also no brother should strike the sergeants subject to him for any fault or sin they may commit, but let the Master of the House and the brethren exact vengeance in the presence of all; but always let the sentence (justice) of the House be maintained completely.

CONCERNING BRETHREN FOUND WITH PRIVATE PROPERTY: And if any of the brethren have made a disposition of private property at his death, he shall have concealed it from his Master, and afterwards it shall be found upon him, let that money be tied round his neck, and let him be led naked through the Hospital of Jerusalem, or through the other houses where he dwells, and let him be beaten severely by another brother and do penance for forty days, and he shall fast on Wednesdays and Fridays on bread and water.

WHAT OFFICE SHOULD BE CELEBRATED FOR THE DECEASED BRETHREN: Moreover we command that this statue should be made, which is most necessary for us all, and we ordain it in commanding that for all the brethren who die in your Obedience thirty Masses should be chanted for the soul of each; and at the first Mass each of the brethren, who shall be present, shall offer one candle with one Denier. Which Deniers, as many as there shall be, should be given to the poor for God's sake; and the priest who shall chant the Masses, if he be not of the House, should have provision in the Obedience on those days; and on completion of the office, the Master should render charity to the said priest, and let all the garments of the deceased brother be given to the poor; also let the brother priests, who shall sing the Masses, pray for his soul to Our Lord Jesus Christ, and let each of the clerics chant the Psalter, and each of the lay brothers 150 paternosters. And also concerning all other sins and matters and complaints let them judge and decide in Chapter with righteous judgement.

HOW THE THINGS HERE DETAILED ARE TO BE FIRMLY MAINTAINED: All these things, just as we have detailed them above, we command and ordain in the Name of Almighty God, and of the Blessed Mary, and of the Blessed St. John, and of the poor, that these same things should be kept with the utmost strictness.

HOW OUR LORDS THE SICK SHOULD BE RECEIVED AND SERVED: And in that Obedience in which the Master and the Chapter of the Hospital shall permit, when the sick man shall come there, let him be received thus, let him partake of the Holy Sacrament, first having confessed his sins to the priest, and afterwards let him be carried to bed, and there as if he were a Lord, each day before the brethren to eat, let him be refreshed with food charitably according to the ability of the House; also on every Sunday let the Epistle and the Gospel be chanted in that House, and let the House be sprinkled with holy water at the procession. Also if any of the brethren, who hold Obedience in different lands, coming to any secular person offering allegiance and giving him the money of the poor, in order that those persons should cause the said brethren to prevail by force against the Master, let such brethren be cast out of all the company

IN WHAT MANNER BRETHREN MAY CORRECT BRETHREN: Also if two or more brethren shall be together, and one of them shall conduct himself outrageously be evil living, the other of the brethren should not denounce him to the people nor to the Prior, but first let him chastise him by himself, and if he would no be chastised, let him join with himself two or three brethren to chastise him. And if he should amend his ways, they should rejoice at it; but if he be not willing to amend his ways, then let him write down the guilt of the brother, and let him send it to the Master privately, and according at the Master and the Chapter shall order let it be done concerning him.

HOW ONE BROTHER SHOULD ACCUSE ANOTHER BROTHER: Let no brother accuse another brother unless he be well able to prove it; and if he shall accuse him and be unable to prove it, he is no true brother.

THAT THE BRETHREN BEAR ON THEIR BREASTS THE SIGN OF THE CROSS: Also let all the brethren of all the Obediences, who now and henceforward shall offer themselves to God and to the Holy Hospital of Jerusalem bear on their breasts the cross, on their cassocks (chapes) and on their mantles, to the honour of God and the Holy Cross that God by that banner (gonfanon), and through faith and works and obedience, may guard and defend us in soul and in body, with all our Christian benefactors from the power of the Devil in this world and the next. Amen.

 

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History of the Knights Hospitallers

History of the Knights of St John

THE HOSPITALLERS
Select Chronology

1113 First papal privilege for the Hospital of St John.
1120-1160 Creation of infirmary; Formation of Hospitaller Rule.
1148 Attack on Damascus.
1187 Battle of Hattin; fall of Jerusalem & move to Acre.
1192 Advise Richard I of England against attack on Jerusalem.
1218 Partake in siege of Damietta.
1271 Join Edward (later Edward I) of England's crusade.
1289 Involved in unsuccessful defence of Tripoli.
1291 Forced out of Acre to Cyprus.
1306 Hospitallers begin invasion of Rhodes.
1310 Hospitaller Crusade consolidates control of Rhodes.
1311 Hospitaller headquarters established on Rhodes.
1312 May 2: Property of suppressed Templars granted to Hospitallers by Clement V.
1374 Hospitallers take over defence of Smyrna.
1377 Achaea leased for 5 years to Hospitallers.
1378 Hospitaller master Juan Fernández de Heredia captured by the Albanians.

The chronicles of the Order

In 1048, Constantino di Pantaleone di Mauro, a merchant from Amalfi negotiated with the Caliph of Egypt the founding of a hospice in Jerusalem to care for weary pilgrims, the sick and the injured. It was built north of the church of the Holy Sepulchre near the church of St. Maria Latina, which had been founded by the merchants of Amalfi between 1014 and 1023. Next to the hospice they also built a chapel dedicated to St John the Almsgiver. The hospice become known as the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem and adopted the eight pointed White Cross of Amalfi. The order established additional hospitals along the pilgrimage routes to Jerusalem.

On 15 July 1099 Jerusalem fell to the Crusaders after a five week siege and the victors proceeded to massacre the city's Muslims and Jews. Godfrey of Bouillon, the leader of the First Crusade gave the hospital land and money to increase and extend its work. A new and larger hospital and hostel was erected on the old site of Charlemagne's hospice, which had been destroyed in the eleventh century. This site was near the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and adjoined the church built by the Crusaders to honor St John the Baptist

The creation of the Crusader kingdom and its needs required a new institutional framework. The innovation was the combination of the roles of knight and monk in the creation of the military order of the Knights Templar. The Council of Troyes in 1126 approved the rule for the Knights Templar, which had been written by St Bernard of Clairvaux. Following the great success of the Knights Templar, Raymond du Puy reorganised the order of St John along military lines to become the Knights Hospitaller.

After the great sige of Acre in 1291, the Knights Hospitaller went briefly to Cyrpus. On 13 October 1307, King Philip IV of France arrested the Knights Templar in his kingdom. Pope Clement V abolished the Knights Templar on 3 April 1312. The great international crusading medieval orders of chivalry were succeeded by honorary associations of knights which were established by sovereigns within their dominions. Examples include the Order of the Garter and Order of the Golden Fleece.

In 1310 the Knights Hospitaller moved to Rhodes where they remainded til this day. In the year 1453 of our Lord.

 

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Foreign Ministry

Foreign Ministry of the Order​

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Emissaries to the Order:



Emissaries of the Order Abroad:



Allies of the Order:
His Holiness, Nicholas V in Rome


Wars involving the Order:



Pacts and Agreements Honoured by the Order:

 

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Ranks within the Order

Ranks of the Order

The Order organizes itself in seven Langues: Provence, Auvergne, France, Spain, Italy, England and Germany, with a Pilier at the head of each, each holding one of the seven offices of the order: Grand Commander, Marshal, Hospitaller, Drapier, Admiral, Turcopolier and the Grand Bailiff.

Pilier of Aragon - Manuel Pinto de Fonseta (The Drapier)
Pilier of Auvergne - Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc (The Marshal)
Pilier of England - William Borrell (The Turcopilier)
Pilier of France - Jean de Lascaris-Castellar (The Hospitaller)
Pilier of Germany - Raymond Despuig (The Grand Bailiff)
Pilier of Italy - Raphael Cotoner de Oleza (The Admiral)
Pilier of Provence - Antoine de Paule (The Grand Commander)

The Langues corresponded to regional groupings of priories, the priories themselves groupings of commanderies. These consisted in the large number of estates which had been given over time to the Order (commendatoria meaning trust, and commendator meaning trustee.) The commanderies could simply be estates, or houses where lay people were allowed to live and share some of the spiritual life of the Order (the corrodaries), or men and women who did not meet the nobiliary requirements (the confratres or donats), or where novitiates prepared for their vows. Some houses were convents of monks and nuns. The Langues were expected to send a set number of Knights to the main Convent in Rhodes.

 

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Knights of St John

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the Earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake,
For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

You may now enter the Court of the Knights of St John ​

 

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A figure bearing light armour walked quietly among the shadows leading to the altar of the Church careful not to make as much as a sound for fear of being viewed as showing disrespect to the almighty in the house of God himself. A dozen or so similarly dressed men stood in the shadows at the front of the altar and each stepped into the light as the figure approached them.

Jacques de Milly, the figure in armour knelt at the altar as members of his brotherhood and order stood steadfast around him. A woman moving with utmost grace stepped in front of the kneeling Jacques and spoke, her voice barely above the sound of a whisper.

"Those who are determined to dedicate themselves to the service of the sick, and to the defence of the Catholic religion, in the habit of your Order, are received at their profession in the following manner :- They ought to be perfectly well acquainted that they are about to put off the old man, and to be regenerated; by humbly confessing all their sins; according to the established custom of the church; and, after having received absolution, they are to present themselves in a secular habit, without a girdle, in order to appear perfectly free at the time they enter into so sacred an engagement, with a lighted taper in their hands, representing charity; to hear mass, and to receive the holy communion."

All those gathered in the Church were Knights of the St John, an order that was brought to its knees by its former Grand Master, Jean Le Lastic by his lunacy. The past year had been traumatic with only the most loyal and faithful knights standing by the Order as legions of knights left after discovering that the wealth and prestige of the Order has diminished. All present here today bore witness to the swearing in of a new Grand Master amid the tomoil and chaos that the Order is enduring.

Jacques de Milly looked up, his words strong and his face full of determination requested to be received into the company of brothers, and into the holy Order of the Hospital of Jerusalem. He then devoted himself to the defence of the Christian faith-a favour which many had vainly attempted to obtain. The very same oath and path that he had taken many years ago as he relived his investiture yet again as the head of the Sacred Order.

The woman nodded and proceeded to point out the engagement that he was to enter into of perfect obedience;- the severity of the rules, which would no longer permit him to act for himself, which obliged them absolutely to renounce his own will and pleasure, and implicitly to comply with that of his superiors ; so that if ever he felt an inclination to do one thing, he was, compelled by his vow of obedience to do another.

" Io N. faccia voto e prometto a Dio omnipotente, ed alla Beata Maria sempre Vergine, madre di Dio, ed a Sun Giovanni Battista di osservare peretuamente, con Iajuta de Dio, vera obedienza a qualunque superiore che unie sara dato do Dio, e dalla nostra religione, e di piu vivere senza proprio e d'osservar castita." Jacques spoke solemnly.

"I N. do vow and promise to Almighty God, to the holy eternal Virgin Mary, mother of God, and to St. John the Baptist; to render, henceforward, by the grace of God, perfect obedience to the superior placed over me by the choice of the Order, to live without personal property, and to preserve my chastity."

"We acknowledge you as the servant of the poor and sick, and as having consecrated your self to the defence of the Catholic church"

"I acknowledge myself as such." She then kissed the missal, placed it on the altar which he likewise kissed, and brought it back to the woman who received him, in token of perfect obedience. Upon which, the woman took the mantle, and shewing him the white cross upon it, thus addressed him: " Do you believe, my brother, that this is the symbol of that holy cross to which Jesus Christ was fastened, and on which he died for our sins?"

"Yes, I do verily believe it."

"It is also the sign of the Order, which we command you to constantly wear."

Jacques then kissed the sign of the cross; and the woman threw the mantle over his shoulder in such a manner that the cross was placed on the left breast. The woman then kissed him, saying, " Take this sign in-the name of the holy Trinity, of the holy Virgin Mary, and of St John the Baptist, for the increase of faith; the defence of the Christian name, and for the service of the poor. We place this cross on your breast, my brother, that you may love it with all your heart ; and may your right hand ever fight in its defence, and for its preservation ! Should it ever happen that in combatting for Jesus Christ against the enemies of the faith, you should retreat, desert the standard of the cross and take to flight. in so just a war : you will be stripped of this truly holy sign, according to the statutes and customs of the Order as having broken the vow you have just taken, and cut off from our body as an unsound and corrupt member."

She then put the mantle on Jacques; tied it with strings round his neck, and said "Receive the yoke of the Lord, for it is easy and light, and you shall find rest for your soul. We promise you nothing but bread and water a simple habit and of little worth. We give you; your parents and relations a share in the good works performed by our Order, and by our brothers, both now and hereafter; through-out the world."

"Amen" All who were present on the occasion, embraced and kissed him in token of friendship, peace, and brotherly love. The priests, then repeated prayers,

"Thou hast showered down thy mercy upon us, oh God ! in the midst of thy temple-Psalm. The Lord is great, he is worthy to be praised in the city of God, even upon his holy hill."

"Behold how good and joyful a thing it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. Glory be to the Father."

" Thou hast showered down. Kyrie eleison, Christe eleision, Kyrie eleison. Our father: Lead us not into temptation. Save thy servant, oh God ! who putteth his trust in thee. Send him help from thy holy place, and from Sion. Defend him, and let the enemy have no advantage over him, nor the wicked one approach to hurt him. Be unto him, oh -Lord ! a strong tower from the face of his enemy, and from them that persecute him. Lord, hear our prayers, and let our cry come unto thee. The Lord be with you, and with your spirit.

"Let us pray."

" Oh. God ! who convertest the wicked, and desirest not the death of a sinner, we most humbly beseech thy divine Majesty to send the assistance of-thy heavenly grace upon this thy servant; who putteth -his trust only in thy mercy; and preserve him with thy continual help, that he may always serve thee truly, and never be led astray by any temptation, through Jesus Christ: our Lord. Amen.

"Let us pray."

" Oh almighty and everlasting God ! who alone workest great marvels, send down upon N. thy servant the healthful spirit of thy grace ; and, that he may truly please thee, pour upon him the continual dew of thy blessing; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"Let us pray."

"The Lord receive thee into the number of the faithful ! and, whilst we his unworthy servants receive thee with our prayer, grant thee his grace to do well, with the will to persevere therein, and bring thee to the happiness of eternal life ! that, as brotherly love has united us on earth, the goodness of God, which invigorates that love has united us in heaven with his faithful servants. Grant this, oh Lord ! through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end."

A chorus of "Amen" resonated through the halls of the church.

 

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Onto Jacques de Milly, Grand Master of Order of Saint John of Jerusalem

“With a joy and hope of new days coming for the Order of St. John, I received the message saying that a new Grand Master of the Order was ordained.

I would like Grand Master to be aware, that I was always a great admirer of the Order and it`s brethen, and if I can use such a statement “self-styled supporter and advocate” on lands of France and Naples.
Also, when it was in range of my humble possibilities I was trying to follow the efforts and ideals of The Order, in fact I think it was my success to raise my sons in faith and believe in God`s knights ideals and rudiments.
To support my words, I would like Grand Master to know, that Naples and Provence chambers will always wait for such virtous guests like Knights of The Order of St.John, no matter if they will want to honour Angevin House with their visit, or just need a warm place to rest during their blessed pilgrimages.​

With his own hand in Naples

Renatus I Angevinus

King of Naples, Sicily, Jerusalem, Duke of Anjou, Bar, Lorraine, Count of Provence, Marshal of France​

​

 

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Onto Jacques de Milly, Grand Master of Order of Saint John of Jerusalem​

With joy I received last written response of Grand Master, I`m glad to hear that the Order is watching in future in trust and that has still forces to bear heavy load of its mission. Also I`m happy to know that Grand Master is generous to give some of Grand Master precious time to our disposal and visit our humble court.

So, according to Grand Master`s letter I would like to oficially invite Grand Master and compaigning him brethen to Naples.

However we would like Grand Master to know that Kingdom of Naples stays in temporal disagreement with His Holiness in Rome, thus in that situation such a visit could place the Order in embarassing situation.

Still that situation is to be solved pritty soon, and if Grand Master will accept invitation, it will be matter of setting the proper time for visit. We are opened to any time which Grand Master propose, with a light suggestion to wait some months until the relationships between Kingdom of Naples and His Holiness will become back clear.

Of course I would be happy to run a vivacious correspondence togehter with Grand Master.

​

With his own hand in Naples

Rene d`Anjou

King of Naples, Sicily, Jerusalem, Duke of Anjou, Bar, Lorraine, Count of Provence, Marshal of France.​

 

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A letter arrives from Portugal. It's written in latin, and the seal is the seal of the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order

Unto Jacques de Milly, Grand Master of Order of Saint John of Jerusalem

Dear Brother in Christ,

I sincerly hope that the troubles that your Order has gone through has not been too damaging, for I have not heard of them until now. It is a shame that the flow of information between our two Orders are so limited that such breaking news has not found its way to my ears and I can only wish that the events on Rhodes has not hurt your ability to fulfill what you have been assigned to fulfill by His Holiness Nicholas V. Though as was preached by Christ and written in the holy gospels the Lord is full of mercy and I am sure that He shall understand if you should temporarily have to limit your work as a Hospitaller while you take care of the problems that has been put on your path, in the name of Christ and your duty to Him.

While myself has been but from information in the land of sand and black heathens I am sure you have heard that the Iberian crusade against North Africa which was the very reason I was sent here was successful and my duty to the King of Portugal is now fulfilled. The Balearic Islands were liberated and the Algerian sultan slain on Christian land as he was in his insanity trying to invade the very soul of Iberia and re-establish the al-Andalus and sultanate of Granada. When I am now free to go whereever I see fit I was thinking instead of going home to the cold northern lands I would go further into the Mediterranean and meet with His Holiness in Rome. I would be delighted to see yourself as well and eventhough you might not be able to travel to Rome during the times of trouble in your realm I would be very happy to see Rhodes and discuss what needs discussing with yourself again.

The wellbeing of christianity is in everyone's interest and the best way to serve our Lord is to do it in cooperation, together as brothers in faith. That was how we fought off the Ottoman invadors and that is how we shall liberate the Holy Jerusalem one day and convert the heathens to the true faith. In Africa, in Arabia and in Russia we must everywhere cooperate, for the threats are amassing and they do not wait for us to act before they use force to conquer what they can conquer.

I hope to see you soon and in the name of friendship I wish you luck in your most Christian duties. May God bless you.

Signed in Lisboa in honour of Saint Mary,
Leopold von Brünn, Grand Master of the Teutonic Order of her most Holy Saint Mary of Jerusalem

 

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A messenger of North African heritage enters the court of the Knights seeking an audience with the Grand Hospitaller. Entering the main chamber he bows low before de Milly before proceeding to speak in broken Latin.

"My liege, my name is Kallon Mohammed. It brings me great pleasure to bring you tidings from my lord the Sultan of Tunisia, Hajji al Omar Mohammed. It is his wish, and the wish of all Tunisians that I and others like me be sent to the various Christian realms of Southern Europe in order to promote friendship and improved relations between Tunisia and these realms. I am here to act as a permanent representative for the Sultan in Rhodos, and it is his sincere hope that you will send someone to perfom a similar function in Tunis.

I bring as a gift from the Sultan some fine Tunisian dates and Almonds, that you and your Knights may feast upon them."

 

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The Grandmaster looked upon the man of arabic descent with interest while listening to the man's broken latin. After a lengthy silence in which Jacques took careful pains in observing the Tunisian emissary, he finally spoke,

"I applaud your bravery, sir to come into Rhodes as an emissary on behalf of your sultan but my Knights have enough to feed on and as such must decline your gifts of almonds and dates. I am however skeptical of your Sultan's intentions for sending a representative to my realm as noble though as the idea of spreading friendship and improved relations between Tunisia and the rest of the Christian world. I will extend my courtesies to you and your entourage for the night though I hope for your sake that you leave Rhodes by tomorrow morning."

 

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Kallon Mohammed wrinkled his brow and stared intently at the Grandmaster for a few seconds.

"Sir, your discourtesy belies your position. It is a shame that you reject my Sultan's offer of friendship. I merely hope this isn't a decision that you come to...regret. Need I remind you that we control the small Island of Malta, and that the Sultan does not like to be trifled with.

Thankyou for the offer of somewhere to stay but I think I will find my ship more comfortable than a bed that I am not wanted in."

He turns on his heels and leaves the court, along with his entourage.