THE ENGLISH, IRISH, AND SCOTCH KNIGHTS OF THE ORDER OF ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM.
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.
Henry VIII. addressed L'Isle Adam as follows: "Reverendissimo in Christo Patri Domini, F. de Villers L. Isleadam, Magno Hierosolymitani Ordinis Magistro, et consanguineo, et amico nostro carissimo." George II., as the king of a Protestant country, sent a letter to Emmanuel Pinto, bearing the following superscription: "Eminentissimo Principi Domino Emanueli Pinto, Magno Ordinis Melitensis Magistro, Consanguineo, et Amico Nostro Carissimo."
Boisgelin has stated in the first volume of his History of Malta, p. 194., that the—
"King of England addressed the grand master by the following titles: 'Eminentissime princeps consanguinea et amice noster carissime.' The King of France gave the Order the title of 'Très chers et bons amis;' and the grand master that of 'Très cher et très aimé cousin," in the same style as he addressed the Dukes of Tuscany."
That this note may not occupy too much space in your interesting, publication, I would now merely remark that the "convent" was known as the place where the grand master, or his lieutenant, resided, and the "tongue," according to the code of the Order, was the term applied to a nation. A grand prior was the chief of his language, who resided in his native country. A "Turcopolier" was the title of the conventual bailiff of the venerable language of England, "and it took its name from the Turcopoles, a sort of light horse mentioned in the history of the wars carried on by the Christians in Palestine." The English knights won for themselves this high honour by their gallantry in the Holy Land, and in remembrance it ever after remained with their tongue. A Turcopolier was the third dignity in the convent, and the last knight who enjoyed it was Sir Richard Shelley, Prior of England. At his decease the grand master assumed the title for himself. The two interesting letters addressed by Sir Richard Shelley to Henry VIII., in which he complained of his majesty's treatment to the Order of St. John, and pleaded in its favour, were published in the English language, and five years ago were to be seen in the government library of this island. But, on my asking a short time ago to refer to them, I regretted to find that they had been taken from the library by a gentleman who was well introduced to the librarian, and whose conduct in this, and some other transactions where valuable books are concerned, cannot be too strongly condemned. Before returning from this brief digression to the subject of my Note, might I ask if these letters are known in England, and whether copies could be easily procured for a friend who is desirous of having them inserted in a forthcoming publication?
The Knights of St. John being members of a masonic institution, termed each other brothers, is customary with members of the craft at the present time. And it may not be out of place to remark that several of the chapels, churches, and fortifications of Malta are ornamented with masonic signs and emblems, which have been several times referred to, and cleverly explained within the last three years in different numbers of the Masonic Quarterly Review. Those of your readers who take an interest in masonry may peruse these papers of a distinguished mason, now stationed in the West Indies, with instruction and pleasure.
Boisgelin has recorded in the first volume of his History of Malta, p. 182., that the Order of St. John of Jerusalem "might with propriety be considered as being at the same time hospitaller, religious, military, republican, aristocratical, monarchical," and lastly, as if these different terms, which, without his explanation, would appear to be incorrect as applying to one institution, were not sufficient, he has added in a note, that in the last days of its existence it might also have been called democratical. He has stated that it was—
"Hospitaller, from having hospitals constantly open for the reception of the sick of all countries and religions, whom the knights attended in person. Religious, because the members took the three vows of chastity, obedience, and poverty, which last consisted in having no property independent of the Order at large, and on that account the Pope was their superior. Military, from being constantly armed, and always at war with the infidels. Republican, as their chief was chosen from among themselves, and could not enact laws, or carry them into execution, without their consent. Aristocratical, since none but the knights and grand master had any share in the legislative and executive power. Monarchical, from having a superior who could not be dispossessed of his dignity, and was invested with the right of sovereignty over the subjects of the order, together with those of Malta and its dependencies. And lastly, Democratical, from the introduction of a language which did not require any proofs of nobility."[[1]]
Before taking leave of Boisgelin, it should be recorded that he was a Knight of Malta; and his history, one of the best now extant, appeared in those troubled times, when he hoped by conciliating all governments, to see his Order again restored. Influenced in all things by this hope, vain as it was, his statements should be received with some grains of allowance.
Before calling attention to the following list, I have to state that a knight could not become commander before he had made four cruises in the galleys, or served five years in the convent. He had also to remain three years a commander before he could claim a pension. Those knights who are known to have been at Malta will be distinguished by a †.
In looking through the records of the "English tongue," I have met with the name of only one lady, Catherine Burchier, who was prioress of Buckland in 1524. Any information respecting her history, or that of the knights whose names are recorded in the above list, will be most acceptable.
William Winthrop.
La Valetta, Malta.
Footnote 1:[(return)]
The language to which Boisgelin refers, was that of England. A few years after the Reformation, and in 1545, the council decreed that it was no longer required for those who joined the English tongue to be noblemen. Vide fol. 35.