Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/92

66 the protection of Cyprus on his behalf. This island, from its position, formed an excellent base of operations whence to support the isolated posts still held by the Christians in Palestine. Strong detachments were therefore sent by both bodies to insure its safety from aggression.

The chronology of these times is so very obscure that it is impossible to trace with accuracy the precise dates at which each change of Master took place. None of the fraternity at this early period seem to have undertaken the task of chronicling the deeds of themselves or of their companions in arms; we are therefore totally dependent on the writers who have treated generally of the fortunes of the kingdom of Jerusalem and of the numerous Crusades by which it was from time to time supported. The military Orders are only very cursorily mentioned, and the most confusing contradictions in names and dates constantly occur, rendering it difficult to determine which are the most probably correct. Godfrey de Duisson died somewhere about the year 1194, and was succeeded by Alfonso of Portugal. This knight claimed to belong to the royal family of that kingdom. The inscription on the tomb, which was erected by himself in his lifetime, ran thus: “Alfonso, Master of the Holy Hospital of Jerusalem, son of the King of Portugal, etc., etc.” As, however, the history of Portugal makes no mention of such a scion of the royal family, it is probable that the honour was tainted by the bar sinister.

The accession of Alfonso was the signal for a rigid reform in the discipline of the Order. The century which had elapsed since its first foundation had brought many changes in the habits and mode of life of the period, luxuries having been gradually introduced which in earlier times were unknown. The Hospitallers had followed in the tide of progress, and many innovations had crept into the convent, by no means in accordance with the rigid code framed by the austere Raymond du Puy. Alfonso was one of those men, so common in all periods, who, without discernment sufficient to note the signs of the times, are determined to abide rigidly by the rules of their forefathers. He was unable to see how vain it was for him to attempt to oppose himself to the stream of progress, and that