2

THE HISTORY OF THE ORDER OF [BOOK III.

1427

1428

master’s chapter-general; and another bull graciouslypermitting the knights to raise a loan on their ownproperty, towards the expenses of a fleet to face theCairo sultan, who was threatening them with aninvasion. 1 In 1426 cannon must have be-come quite common, for they are countedamong the necessaries of an armed ship. 2 But theprincipal event of the period as regarded the com-munity, was a chapter general holden at Rhodes,in May, 1428; for in it many important statutesAvere enacted—among which one of thevoters being the Turcopolier, Sir ThomasLanceleves—curious English name! How not indisguise? Perhaps Launceleweck 3 — is that nomember can exercise commerce. Something of thekind might always have been in practice, but thisis the first time that I see it laid down as a larv. 4Yet there were exceptions, as Venice, Genova,Florence. One statute renders all idle duels, andillegal homicides, as opprobrious as criminal.Another with proper severity represses corruptionin officers and systematic debauchery. Othersconcern the treasury, the Esgarcl, the baillias,

1 Cod. Dipl. Geros., ii., xcvi.

2 Bosio : par. ii., lib. v., anno 1426.

3

4

Id. : id. id. 1428.—Appendix, cli.

Id.: id., vi., id. 1437 .—Che i camlieri e fratelli

diquest’ ordine esercitar non possino mercantia.