3065

April 11. Naples. Pope Alexander IV writes to Archbishop of Tyre and the abbot of Saint Mary in the Valley of Josaphat of the Order of St Benedict residing in Acre, relating that the religion and devotion of the master and the brothers of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem induce him to look favorably on their petitions. He was shown the petition of the master and brothers that claimed that the monastery that was once built on Mt Tabor has been destroyed in war by the enemies of the Christian name, and it is not hoped that it can be repaired by the abbot and the monks of that monastery. But because there is little doubt that the Saracens who occupy the aforesaid place of Mt Tabor are fortifying it, to the detriment of the Christian faith, they asked the pope to provide a solution. The pope notes that the master and brothers struggle ceaselessly with all their might against the enemies of the Cross, so he grants to them and their Hospital the place in which the aforesaid monastery is situated with the lands, possessions, houses, people, rights, liberties, immunities, and all appurtenances belonging in any way to that monastery, in such a way that they are free and immune from the payment of tithes and anything else, for the defense of the Holy Land and the maintenance of the poor, giving them free possession or quasi without consulting the diocesan or anyone else. Nevertheless, if within a decade there is peace or truces between Christians and Saracens, after they secure full possession, they shall be obliged to fortify the place and maintain 40 horsemen continuously there for the defense of the Christian name, and they are held to provide for the needs of the abbot and monks who survive as long as they live, unless they can be accommodated in other religious places. The pope therefore orders the addressees or one of the two to execute the above, removing anyone who might occupy those things illicitly.