Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/43

 Strong prohibitions were issued against the use of any ornaments or devices, in either the dress or arms of the brotherhood, beyond the eight-pointed cross, the symbol of the Order. This restriction was considered necessary in the eyes of their founder, owing to the increasing taste for splendour which was creeping into the habits of the epoch. When the first germs of the chivalric idea began to show themselves, and to replace the barbarism which had overthrown the Roman empire, the simplicity of the age had limited the construction of arms strictly to the purposes for which they were required, and nothing in the form of ornament seems to have been suggested. As, however, time wore on and brought with it a steady advance in civilization and luxury, new ideas became prevalent.

Whereas in the earlier ages duty to his religion and his country were the only obligations imposed upon a knight, by degrees another element was now introduced, and lady-love was ere long heard of as the noblest incentive to the chivalric mind. So inseparably did this feeling become connected with the after character of the system, that it may be looked upon as its mainspring. Every true knight considered that the most daring act of gallantry was amply rewarded by the approving smile of his lady-love. Bearing upon his person the favoured colours of his mistress, he carried them wherever peril was to be braved or honour won.

Under these circumstances it was but natural that the simplicity which characterized preceding times should give way to the introduction of personal adornment. Armour came to be constructed no longer merely with a view to its use, but ornamentation, more or less elaborate, rapidly introduced itself. The insignia of heraldry date their origin from this new sentiment, and each succeeding generation outvied the preceding one in the splendour of its equipment. At the time the Order of St. John adopted a military basis, i.e., the early part of the twelfth century, this innovation had not reached any great height; it had, however, so far made its way that Raymond du Puy thought it advisable to make a special regulation against its introduction into his fraternity. No decoration of any kind was permitted on any portion of the armour, with the sole