CIIAP. I.]

ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM.

301

Sir Philip de Thame was twenty-third Prior of Eng-land in 1342, and long before—and a great

5 & & 1343

favourite of the then King( Edward III.), who

with difficulty allows of his going to Rhodes, andrequires his return quickly, for that his governmentcannot well go on without him; and that he wasan Englishman, so not to quit the kingdom withoutleave, under a great fine. 1 A violent Turkish cam-paign rendered the year 1346 more full offierce conflicts and dissensions than usual, 2in which the Hospitallers of course took a promi-nent part; when, in the midst of such scenes, poorVillannova died, to the great grief of the Pope, aswas to be expected. 3

1 Cod. Dipl. Gcros., ii., Num. Ixviri.—Seb. Paoli -writes!Thames ; others, Thane.—Appendix, xxx*

2 Cod. Dipl. Geros., ii., Hum. lxxi.

8 Seb. Paoli : Serie, ii. 464.