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HISTORY OF MALTA.

This priory, independent of the considerable revenue attachedto it, enjoyed a very great privilege—that of sitting in the Englishparliament as the first baron of the kingdom. The consent of thisassembly, in which the liberties and interests of the nation frequentlytriumph over the majesty of the throne, was necessary for the re-establishment of the Roman catholic religion. Cardinal Pole wasinvested with the dignity and power of legate from the pope*. Heabolished all schisms, but without daring to insist either uponpenances or the restitution of church-lands. It was necessary, inthe beginning, to pardon faults which it would have been dangerousto punish: he was, therefore, obliged to remain satisfied with theproud submission of the English, who received the favour of theholy see in a manner which sufficiently showed they had not soughtto obtain it: indeed, the power of the pope w r as, very shortly after,entirely annihilated in England, and the possessions of the knightsof St. John once more wrested from them.

It upon this occasion the church had reason to regret its sepa-ration from so powerful a nation, the order had equal cause foraffliction, in being- deprived of its illustrious nobilitv.

* Julius III.