7 - Knights of St. John of Aeon or Acres.

Under the Patronage of this Saint was this Ordererected 3 they exercifed all Duties of Charity towardsPilgrim's, and affumed Arms in imitation of the Hofpi -tellers 5 they followed the Rule of St. AugujUne 3 andaccording to Favina, had a Black Habit, upon whichthey wore a White Crofs patee. After Aeon was takenthey removed into Spam, and flouri/hed in the Reign ofAlphonftts the Altrologer King of Cajtile, about which timePope Alexander IV. approved the Order under the con-joined Title of St. ThoniM and St. John of Aeon. ThisKing gave them by his Will all the Furniture of hisHoule, and much Money 5 but afterward they dwindled,and at laft were united to the Hofpitallers. T he Enlignwas a Red Crofs, in the middle whereof flood theFigures of St.John and St. Thomas.

8. Knights of St. Thomas.

Distinct from the former, yet wearing the fame Ha-bit, as the Knights of St. John of Aeon, making the fameProceffions, and following the fame Rule 5 their Badgewas a Saltire Gules , (or as others are of Opinion) thefame with that of St- John of Aeon, wanting the Fi-gures in the middle : But Favin reports, this Order wasinftituted by King Riehard I. after the Surprizal ofAeon 3 and that thefe Knights were of the Engfijh Na-tion, who wore a White Habit and a Red Crofs,charged in the middle with an Efcallon, and thatSt. Thomas Rechet was their Patron. Howbeit, after theChriflians were driven out of the Holy Land, theKnights of this Order were joined to the Hofpi-taRers, '•

9. Knights of St. Blaze.’

These were alfo called Knights de Sta. Maria ; theywere Officers and Servants to the Kings of Armenia ;their Habit was Sky colour with a Crofs Gold on theirBreafls 3 others fay a Red Crofs, and in the middle the• ' ' Piflure