No. V
Henry by the Grace of God, King of
England and France, Defender of the Faith, and Lord of Ireland, to our Reverend
Father in Christ, Dominus F. de Villiers L'Isle
Adam, our most dear friend — Greeting :
Although, by many proofs, we have often
before been convinced that your Reverend Lordship, and your venerable Brethren,
after the loss of Rhodes, have had nothing more to heart than that by your
actions you might deserve most highly of the Christian republic, and that
you might sometimes give proof of this by your deeds, that you have zealously
sought for some convenient spot where you might at length fix your abode;
nevertheless, what we have lately learnt from the letters of your Reverend
Lordship, and from the conversation and prudent discourse of your venerable
Brother De Dentirville has caused us the greatest
joy; and although, with regard to the recovery of Rhodes, complete success
has not answered your intentions, nevertheless we think that this your Order
of Jerusalem has always wished to seek after whatever it has judged might
in any manner tend to the propagation
of the Catholic Faith and the tranquillity of the Christian Republic. But
that his Imperial Majesty has granted to your Order the island of
Malta, Gozo, and Tripoli, we cannot but rejoice; places which, as
we hear, are most strongly fortified by nature, and most excellently adapted
for repelling the attacks of the Infidels, should have now come into your
hands, where your Order can assemble in all safety, recover its strength,
and settle and confirm its position.
And we wish to convince you that
fresh increase is daily-made to the affection with which we have always cherished
this Order of Jerusalem, inasmuch as we perceive that your actions have been
directed to a good and upright end, both because these undertakings of your
Reverend Lordship, and of your venerable Brethren, are approved by us as
highly beneficial and profitable ; and because we trust that your favour
and protection will ever be ready to assist our nation, if there be any need;
nor shall we on our part be ever wanting in any friendly office which we
can perform towards preserving and protecting your Order, as your Reverend
Lordship will gather more at length of our well affected mind towards
you from Dominus Dentiryille, the bearer of these
presents.
May all happiness attend
you.
From our Palace at
The 22nd day of November,
1530.
Your good friend,
HENRY REX