justice, and for the regulation of all the other requirements of a stable Christian government.

But, in the mean time, a new enemy was gathering strength, and was soon to be formidable, not only to the Knights of Rhodes, but to every Christian power.

Othman was, at this time, the leader of the latest band of Tartars that had invaded Europe, and who were afterwards known as the Turks, whose dominion threatened, at one time, to blot out the Christian religion from the earth, and to reduce Europe to Asiatic barbarism.

To Othman, the Moslem fugitives from Rhodes betook themselves, and solicited his aid to drive out the knights.

The Turkish conqueror readily accepted the invitation, which promised further extension to his dominions; and he speedily fitted out an expedition against Rhodes.

Hitherto his army had never suffered defeat, but, although the fortifications of Rhodes were incomplete, and the whole island in a defenceless condition, such was the bravery of the knights, and so well was their army manoeuvred, that Othman could not effect. a landing, though he continued for a long time to make attacks upon Rhodes and the other islands.

It was at this time that the Order of the Templars was dissolved, its members put to death with every device of cruelty, and its possessions confiscated.

Philip the Fair, King of France, was the first mover in this terrible episode, and it is believed

that he intended to have included the Hospitallers also in his scheme of confiscation; but the absence of the Grand Master from France, the subsequent conquest of Rhodes, and the success of the Order against the Turks, seem to have sheltered them from the fate of the Templars, whose vocation appeared to be gone when Palestine was lost, and whose wealth and power aroused the jealousy and covetousness of the princes who regarded them as rivals.

Some portion of the possessions of the Templars was made over to the Hospitallers, and this, together with the territorial dominion of Rhodes and the other islands, left the Knights of St. John without a rival among the military Orders.

But wealth and power have always their accompanying dangers, and the Order of St. John, with its high aims and admirable rule, was not altogether proof against them.

The Grand Master maintained the state of a sovereign prince, and his brethren, who were of the noblest families in Europe, could not brook his haughty and overbearing manners; while the strict and ascetic members complained of the relaxation of the ancient rule, the introduction of luxury, the loss of discipline, and the general degeneracy of the Order.

So great was the discontent, that a large portion of the knights called upon Villaret to resign the Grand Mastership, and even nominated another, Maurice de Pagnac, in his place.

Schism was now added to the misfortunes of the Order, and two Grand Masters divided the allegiance of the knights.

In this dilemma it was resolved to lay the matter before the Pope, John XXII. Both parties repaired to Avignon, where the Pope then resided, and urged their claims before the tribunal.

It was found a difficult case to determine, but the death of Maurice de Pagnac, and the resignation of Villaret, enabled the Pope to appoint a new Grand Master, Helion de Villeneuve, and so to put an end to the disputes (1323). Under the administration of Villeneuve, order and unanimity were restored, and many reforms were introduced, by which a return was made to the primitive principles of the Order; so that no further charges of luxury and negligence were heard, but the knights were respected and honoured, and their authority everywhere confirmed and established.

It was at this time that the Order was divided into separate nationalities, or Langes, each with its own officers and duties.

Great exertions were also made to enlarge and strengthen the navy of the Order, not only for the protection of their dominions, but also to exterminate the pirates of the Mediterranean, and to resist the growing power of the Turks upon the sea, against whom many expeditions were made.

The most important of these resulted in the occupation of Smyrna, which the knights held for nearly thirty years, in spite of the efforts of the

Turks to displace them; and by their hold of this place, the conquest of Constantinople by the Turks is believed to have been retarded several years.

The continual advance and conquests of the Turks were now filling Europe with anxiety, and the Pope was anxious that the knights should abandon Rhodes, and make their head-quarters either in Greece or Asia Minor, with a view to being a bulwark against the Turks. But, happily, wiser counsels prevailed, and the island stronghold was retained.

At this time the navy of the knights was the finest that was afloat, so that, when the Pope determined to leave Avignon and return to Rome, it was in the galleys of the Order that he and his suit embarked; and a contemporary writer, who was on board, describes the Grand Master, Heredia with his white beard, holding the rudder of the largest galley, with the Pope on board, surrounded by his knights; and though a tempest arose and scattered the fleet, he brought his ship safely into Ostia.

On his return to Rhodes, Heredia fell in with the Venetian fleet on its way to try and drive the Turks out of Greece, and joined his forces to theirs.

At Corinth the Grand Master was unexpectedly surrounded by a superior force, and was taken prisoner; and when hostages and money were offered by the knights for his release, he nobly replied, "Let me alone, my dear brethren; suffer a useless old man, that cannot live much longer, to die in prison, and do you who are younger, preserve yourselves to be serviceable to the Order." Nor would

he allow any ransom to be paid out of the treasury, but left it to his family and relations to find the money.

CHAPTER VII.

Papal schism-Schism in the Order of St. John-Conquests of the Turks in the East-Bajazet-Battle of Nicopolis-Tamerlane— Bajazet taken prisoner-Smyrna taken-The Order releases captives and slaves-Power of the Order-The Sultan's treaty with the knights-Papal abuses-The Council of ConstanceThe Sultan of Egypt attacks Cyprus and Rhodes.

"The flower of the nobility of Europe aspired to wear the cross, and profess the vows of these Orders; their spirit and discipline were immortal."-GIBBON.

THE schism in the Papacy which caused so many evils, induced a schism in the Order of St. John; two Grand Masters having been appointed by the sections of the Order who adhered respectively to the rival Popes.

These troubles prevented to a considerable extent a due regard to the terrible advance and successes of the Turks. A large portion of Asia Minor was already theirs, and an opportunity now occurred of making advances into Europe.

The Eastern empire was as usual distracted by faction and revolution, and one of the rival candidates for the Imperial dignity actually sent his Christian daughter to the harem of the Sultan Orchan as a