Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/659

308 the Order being at that time in possession of ten thousand five hundred large, and thirty-two smaller, Commanderies, some of which yielded an annual income averaging from 6000 to 7000 ducats. By way of compensation, the Grand Master, Don Juan de Zuniga was enfeoffed with an Archbishopric, and received a reversionary patent of a Cardinal's hat.

The Cross of the Order of Alcantara, which was substituted in 1441, for the previous black collar and scapulary, and which is worn by a green ribbon, is the same as that of the Order of Calatrava, with the exception of the colour, which is green (Plate 87, Tab. I. Nos. 5 and 6). The costume is, likewise, with the exception of the colour of the lily wreath, the same. The crest of the Order is a pear tree.

In 1540, the Knights obtained permission to marry, though they remained still bound to the vows of poverty, conjugal chastity and obedience, as also to the defence of the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin. At their nomination they are obliged to prove their noble descent through four generations.

ORDER OF OUR LADY OF MONTESA.

The long and protracted wars with the Moors involved the Spanish monarchs in difficulties of various kinds, and necessitated the creation of new resources, and the adoption of extraordinary measures, more especially as the clergy, who possessed a great portion of the national property, as well as the towns and nobility in the enjoyment of extensive privileges and exemptions, did not always show themselves ready to lend the necessary support and assistance in cases of emergency. These peculiar resources, the princes found in the chi-