Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/248

222 nerve to save it from destruction. In this they were ultimately successful, and peace was once more restored. The captive king was ransomed by a payment of 30,000 gold forms, the greater part of which was advanced by the treasury of Rhodes, and the sultan withdrew his forces from the island.

Two chapters-general were held at the convent, one in the year 1428, the other in 1432. At the former the Grand-Master submitted an urgent appeal for funds. He pointed out the cost of the recent struggle in Cyprus, the armaments rendered necessary throughout the Order’s possessions by the threatening attitude of the Ottoman emperor on the one side, and the Egyptian sultan on the other; the devastation caused in the French priories by the war with England; the very precarious position of the priories of Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia, and Poland, the former owing to the disorders caused by the Hussites, and the latter to the hostile attitude of the Teutonic knights. He concluded by appealing to all the members for contributions in aid, he himself heading the list with a donation of 12,000 forms. The request was very generally responded to. Each priory was called on to send to Rhodes twenty-five knights and as many servants-at-arms. A large quantity of arms, ammunition, and provisions was contributed, and money poured in to the treasury from all quarters.

At the second chapter it was decreed that all novices should be appointed to some commandery within their langue, where they were to be maintained and trained in the religious and knightly duties of their profession. Hitherto much scandal had been brought upon the Order by the irregular life led by many of these novices, who, looking upon their profession merely as a distinction flattering to their vanity, totally neglected the duties inculcated by their vows. To check this demoralizing irregularity, the chapter wisely determined to place them under the charge of commanders, who from their age and position would be enabled to enforce a wholesome discipline. Members were also forbidden to establish themselves at the court of Rome. The pernicious example of Heredia had been so frequently followed as to render a restriction of this nature highly necessary. Indeed, for some time past it had become apparent that if the fraternity were to maintain its independence, a rigid