Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/245

Rh Saracenic seaports in Asia Minor. Nothing of any permanent importance was effected, nor indeed was any intended. What they sought was booty, and this they obtained in amply sufficient quantity to pay the costs of the expedition.

On their return to Rhodes they were surprised to find a proposal from the sultan of Egypt, whose territories they had just been ravaging, to enter into an alliance with them. The fears which he entertained of the aggressive policy of his neighbours, the Ottoman Turks, led him to take this step, and de Naillac was sufficiently far-sighted to make the most of his opportunities. The treaty which he concluded with the sultan gave the Christians permission to enclose the holy sepulchre at Jerusalem with a wall. They were to be allowed to maintain six knights of St. John within the city, free from all tribute, who should carry on the hospitaller duties of their profession in favour of the pilgrims who still visited the spot. It was further agreed that Christian slaves might be redeemed either by purchase or exchange with Saracens, and that consulates should be established in Jerusalem and the other principal places in the Holy Land. For the benefits of this favourable treaty Christianity is indebted entirely to the ability of the Grand-Master at Rhodes.

Unfortunately at this time there was but too great need for the exercise of diplomacy on his part. The schism which had for so many years torn the bosom of the Church and introduced the spirit of dissension within his own Order, was still raging furiously; the rival popes, Benedict and Gregory, each claiming jurisdiction. A conclave was assembled at Pisa in 1409 to endeavour to heal the dispute, and its protection was intrusted to de Naillac and his fraternity. He left Rhodes for the purpose of assuming the duties thus imposed on him, and remained in Europe till the year 1420. Alexander V. was elected Pope at this conclave, making a third pretender to the title. At the same time de Nailac was pronounced sole legitimate Grand-Master. In spite of this decree, the priories of England, Scotland, Aragon, Germany, Italy, Hungary, and Bohemia refused to recognize his title, and continued to withhold their responsions. At length a new council, held at Constance in 1415, terminated the difficulty by securing the