Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/415

Rh still the knights were anxious to join in the good work of releasing a monarch who had always proved himself a friend to their interests. They therefore waived the right of exemption, and joined in the taxation on the same terms as the other ecclesiastical bodies in the realm, merely requiring from the king letters patent, declaratory of the fact that this contribution was perfectly voluntary, and was, under no circumstances, to be treated as a precedent. A deed to that effect was signed by the king at St. Germain, on the 19th March, 1527.

This matter having been settled, L’Isle Adam availed himself of the opportunity afforded by the presence of the two sovereigns, to submit his project for the recapture of Rhodes. The emperor entered warmly into the scheme, and offered a contribution of 25,000 crowns, at the same time informing the Grand-Master that, should this design fail, he might still accept the island of Malta. Gladdened by the success of his mission, L’Isle Adam left Spain in 1526 and proceeded to France, where he trusted to obtain additional assistance for the undertaking. Whilst there he was informed that Henry VIII. was much piqued at the fact that he should neglect to pay a personal visit to the court of England as he had done in Spain and France, and was therefore seizing upon the revenues of the Order, and also demanding from the knights of the English langue military service in his garrison of Calais. Undeterred by the severity of the winter and his own age, L’Isle Adam decided on at once proceeding to London to mollify the offended potentate. He therefore despatched the commander, Bosio, to cardinal Wolsey, to inform him of the intended visit. Henry, appeased by this mark of deference, directed that he should be received with all honour, and every preparation was made to give a hearty welcome to the hero of Rhodes. After having reposed for some days at the priory of Clerkenwell, L’Isle Adam paid his respects at the palace, where he was received with the most gracious cordiality. To assist him in his design upon Rhodes, Henry promised him the sum of 20,000 crowns, which he afterwards gave in the form of artillery. He at the same time suspended all his obnoxious proceedings against the fraternity.

The Grand-Master now returned to Italy, trusting to be at