272

HISTORY OF MALTA.

gary. Some time afterwards it became the privilege of theadmiral, who, for the time being, was pillier of the Italian lan-guage ; but, in consequence of the abdication of the Italiansin l6().'3, this dignity became the property of the language ofGermany, and was bestowed in common on the knights ofthat country, and on those of Bohemia.

Though the provinces of Transylvania, Wallachia, andMoldavia, were formerly the ancient Dm, the order of St. Johngave the name of Duci, in the language of the middle age, tothe kingdoms of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway.

In the History of the Knights of Rhodes, mention is made,that the grand-master de Gozon (Deodato) wrote into theseprovinces to order responsions to be sent from thence; andthat in 1464 visitors were sent thither to keep up a proper de-gree of regular and military discipline.

Independently of the dignified offices to which the mem-bers of the order were elevated in the above-mentioned man-ner, there were other posts and employments which we shallproceed to enumerate, together with the persons who nomin-ated to them.

The grand-master had a right to appoint his own lieuten-ant, and after having named him, he acquainted the councilwith his choice, though neither its approbation nor consentwas requisite on the occasion. He likewise named the sene-schal of his household, who, on entering this office, received abrief from the pope, to enable him to enjoy it for life.