216 THE HISTORY OF THE ORDER OF [book r.

that, by the right of fraternization, every knightwas his brother in arms and equal. Any officerthat has ever been in an action will own thatequality is a feeling strongly stamped in humannature. But it in no sort interfered with the sub-ordination required; and it comforted Gerard’smind to see that many of the superiors, which hisplan implied, were already established before hedied. Almoner is as early as 1117, and in 1129another. But not everything is to be found in thefew deeds left. Rather let us be thankful forhaving these few.

Gentlemen poor , gentlemen sick would not be used,towards the indigent, either then or now, but wasindeed a nobler qualification than now; andcertainly meant crusaders and persons of noblebirth and station. The reverse were ridiculous, orworse; a very bad and ill-timed joke. “Signoriammalati, Signori poveri, termine in quei tempinobilissimo.” 1 Of chaplains or rectors, the oldestknown of is in England, the chaplain of the Brissetdonation, which comprised a church or chapel. 2For the places certainly created by Gerard, or sovery ancient that they probably were so, let ushave recourse to Paoli; and we find them to be

1 r. A. Paoli: 324.—Appendix, Xum. xiy., cap. xvi.

* Id.: 325.