Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/120

94 were made in the organization of the European possessions of the Hospital. The various preceptories had hitherto been in the habit of remitting the surplus of their revenues, after deducting the cost of their own subsistence, to the general treasury at head-quarters in the East. In many cases, however, sometimes owing to the extravagance or mismanagement of the administrators, and sometimes from causes over which they had no control, the customary balance was not forthcoming. As, however, it was absolutely necessary that a positive and considerable sum should be relied on with certainty to support the heavy expenditure of constant warfare, it was decided, in a general council held at Casarea, that a definite payment should be demanded from each preceptory, based on the average receipts of a term of years, which sum they should be bound to remit to the general treasury under all circumstances, the balance of their respective revenues being retained for their own local expenses. This annual payment, which formed a species of rent-charge, was called a responsion, and was usually fixed at one-third of the gross receipts. The commission which was sent to each preceptor to announce the changes thus proposed to be introduced began with the word commandamus, whence arose the word commander, by which title the preceptor eventually became known. Priories were at the same time established, formed of the union of several preceptories. At the head of these were placed dignitaries with the title of prior, or, as they were afterwards termed, grand-prior. The prior held supreme control over the preceptories which constituted his priory, and ho was charged with the duty of collecting and remitting their several responsions. He was also called on to maintain strict discipline, and to act as a check upon the extravagance or other mal-praetiees of the preceptors. He was instructed to make constant visits, so as to ascertain by personal observation that due economy and discipline were practised.

Whilst thus organizing improvements in the internal economy of his order, Hugh de Revel was at the same time making the most strenuous efforts to maintain a bold front against the perpetual aggressions of the relentless enemy. These efforts were not, however, very successful. His means of defence