318 THE HISTORY OF THE ORDER OF [book IV.

that she had done the same in England already)naming a commission to take possession of it fromthe Prior of the Hospitallers in Ireland, Massingbert 1not without secret manoeuvres, that caused mur-muring. “ Likewise let all their papers, parchments,1559 < l° cuments > wherever situated, be noted inthe Irish Rotulary, and then expedited tome here, Westminster, Jane 3rd, 1559.” 2

Not but the same year afforded some consolationto Valette, by the Prior of Bohemia and his com-munity applying by an embassy to reunite withthe order; submitting to its rule as of old, by avoluntary subjection, presenting the grand masterwith a written declaration to that effect, signed bythe aforesaid prince, and all his knights, and thatthey would willingly go in person, if it was possi-ble; that the grand master might dispose of thepriory and them, as any other priory of the order;that they aspired to no favour, but only to betreated like the order’s other priories; expectinghowever to be allowed all the usual immunities andprerogatives—and that only it is to be consideredthat the distance is great, and that to go to Maltaand stay there some time, and return, is a seriousbusiness.

1 Bosio : par. ii., lib. xvi. 296 and 317.

2 Cod. Dipl. Greros., ii., Hum. clxxxs.—Appendix, ccxii.