Notes and Queries, Number 200, August 27, 1853 / A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Geneologists, etc.

For the following list of the English, Irish, and Scotch knights of the Order of St. John, who are mentioned in the records of this island when under its rule, I am in a great measure indebted to Dr. Vella, who, after having made at my request a diligent search through very many old volumes and manuscripts, has kindly favoured me with the result of his labours. The names of the knights and places mentioned in this Note are written, in every instance, as Dr. Vella and myself have seen them recorded. Before commencing with the list, I have a few remarks to offer, that the terms peculiar to the Order which I shall make use of may be understood by those of your readers who are unacquainted with its history.
The English tongue comprised the priories of England, Ireland, and Scotland, and thirty-two different commanderies. Its property, which was seized by Henry VIII. in 1534, was afterwards restored by Queen Mary, and finally and effectually confiscated by Elizabeth in the first year of her reign. Her Majesty's order for the seizure of the Irish estates was dated on the 3rd of June, 1559, and addressed to William Fitzwilliam. Vide the Diplomatic Code of the Order, and Rymer, vol. xv. p. 527.
Although Dr. Vella and myself had every wish to classify the knights of the English tongue under their different languages, still we have failed in our first attempt, and to enable us to succeed we must ask for assistance from your correspondents in England. They must be known by their names; thus, for instance, the Dundas's of 1524 and 1538 were as evidently of Scotch, as the Russells of 1536, 1537, and 1554 were of English descent. We might apply the same remark to many other knights whose names will be found recorded in the following list.
Whenever a vacancy occurred by the death of a grand master, who was always a sovereign prince, the election for his successor could only take place in the convent. It was not necessary that the person elected should be present. Villiers De L'Isle Adam was residing in France in 1521, when his brethren at Rhodes made him their chief. The grand priors, commanders, and knights, who were absent from Malta, whether employed in the service of the Order or not, had neither voice nor ballot in the election; and the more effectually to prevent their interference, as also that of the Roman pontiff, only three days were allowed to transpire before a successor was chosen, and proclaimed as the head of the convent.