Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/358

328 never been backward in assuming such powers to their fullest extent whenever it has been in a position so to do.

The following is a list of the dignitaries who held a seat in the chapter-general in the order of their precedence. The Grand-Master, either in person or by a lieutenant nominated by himself, presided. The others were as follows:—

1. The Archbishop of Rhodes. 2. The Prior of the Church. 3. The Bailiff of Provence. 4. The Bailiff of Auvergne. 5. The Bailiff of France. 6. The Bailiff of Italy. 7. The Bailiff of Aragon (Spain). 8. The Bailiff of England. 9. The Bailiff of Germany. 10. The Bailiff of Castile (Portugal). 11. The Grand-Prior of St. Gilles. 12. The Grand-Prior of Auvergne. 13. The Grand-Prior of France. 14. The Grand-Prior of Aquitaine. 15. The Grand-Prior of Champagne. 16. The Grand-Prior of Toulouse. 17. The Grand-Prior of Rome. 18. The Grand-Prior of Lombardy. 19. The Grand-Prior of Venice. 20. The Grand-Prior of Pisa. 21. The Grand-Prior of Burletta. 22. The Grand-Prior of England. 23. The Grand-Prior of Capua. 24. The Castellan of Emposta. 25. The Grand-Prior of Portugal. 26. The Grand-Prior of Messina. 27. The Grand-Prior of Navarre. 28. The Grand-Prior of Germany. 29. The Grand-Prior of Ireland. 30. The Grand-Prior of Bohemia. 31. The Grand-Prior of Hungary. 32. The Bailiff of St. Euphemia. 33. The Grand-Prior of Catalonia. 34. The Bailiff of Negropont. 35. The Bailiff of the Morea. 36. The Bailiff of Venusia. 37. The Bailiff of St. Stephen. 38. The Bailiff of Majorca. 39. The Bailiff of St. John of Naples. 40. The Bailiff of Lyons. 41. The Bailiff of Manosque. 42. The Bailiff of Brandenburg. 43. The Bailiff of Caspa. 44. The Bailiff of Lora. 45. The Bailiff of the Eagle. 46. The Bailiff of Lango. 47. The Bailiff of St. Sepulchre. 48. The Bailiff of Cremona. 49. The Grand-Treasurer. 50. The Bailiff of Neuvillas. 51. The Bailiff of Acre. 52. The Bailiff of La Roceila. 53. The Bailiff of Armenia. 54. The Bailiff of Carlostad. 55. The Bailiff of St. Sebastian.

Such of the above as were not able to attend in person were bound to send thither proxies to act in their stead. All commanders had seats in the chapter below the above dignitaries, and in order of seniority. The time and place of meeting were fixed by the Grand-Master, and after having been approved by the Pope, were duly notified to the various members whose rank entitled them to a seat in the council. The first step taken after divine service had been performed was the nomination of a committee of three commanders of different langues to verify the