SPAIN.
ORDER, OF, SAINT JOHN.
Since 1530, when the Emperor Charles V. (vide " Austria)" ceded to the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem the islands of Malta and Gozzo, together with Tripolis, the 'Order of St. John' has continued under the suzerainty of Spain, the Knights having engaged themselves, by oath, on taking possession of those islands, among other things, never to abuse their authority there to the prejudice of Spain, to consider the King of Spain as the patron of the Malta diocese, to restore the island to Spain in the event of the Knights re-conquering Rhodes, or settling at some other place; and, finally, to despatch annually, by two Knights, a tribute of one falcon to the Viceroy of Naples, as a token of acknowledgment of Spanish suzerainty. Subsequently, when Sicily ceased to be a Spanish province, that tribute was regularly discharged and sent direct to the King of Spain.
After the Peace of Amiens, in 1802, the Portuguese and Spanish languages (Aragon and Castile) separated from the Order, and formed a college of their own, under the supreme authority of their respective monarchs, who, in consequence, exercised essential influence in all matters connected with nominations, benefices, &c., the Grand Mastership being thus, in effect, though not by right, vested in the Crown.
A description of the insignia of the Order will be found under Papal States, Plate 56, Tab. II. Nos. 7, 8 and 9.
