1508 Handwritten Contract of The Order of St. John of Jerusalem (Knights Hospitaller) with Coat of Arms

On offer is a simply outstanding historical document dating back over 510 years and peering into the history of a storied military order of knights in the middle ages. Dated 1508, the manuscript belonged to the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. The Order was one of the three great military orders of medieval Europe, along with the Knights Templar and the Teutonic Knights. This manuscript was found within a packet of old letters and documents and is a true treasure. The authenticity of this document is established by a clear reference to the Order and an imprint of the Order's coat of arms.

The date is written in words in the first line: mille cinq cent huit [(one) thousand five hundred (and) eight]

In one line ( l 17), it appears that the word contrat [contract] is used. Subsequently, on line 22, the word payable [payable] can be read. This leads to a possible assumption that this document refers to a contract or commercial agreement.

On line 63, there is a reference to a person named Johan Ortola. Our research has not been able to find any information about this person.

This document is written in Old French. Old French was the language spoken in northern France from the 8th century to the 14th century. However, although centred in northern France, its influence was much more widespread, being the language of the Crusader States in the Middle East and the Kingdom of Jerusalem. The Order of St. John of Jerusalem was based in the crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem.

The Order of St. John of Jerusalem is also known as the Knights Hospitaller, reflecting their origins. The order traces its roots to a pilgrim hospital founded in 1048 by merchants from the city-state of Amalfi. Those merchants funded a church, convent, and hospital in Jerusalem to care for pilgrims of any religious faith or race. The Benedictine monastic community that ran the hospital became independent under its founder, the religious brother Gerard, who is considered the founder of the Order. Some knights who had participated in the successful First Crusade joined the monks in their hospice work, laying the foundations for the military aspect of the Order. The Order adopted the 8- pointed cross of the Duchy of Amalfi as its insignia, possibly in recognition of its origins.

After the fall of Jerusalem in 1187 and Acre in 1291, the Order relocated first to Cyprus and then settled on the island of Rhodes. The next 200 years saw almost constant conflict with the Muslim Ottoman Empire. Finally, in 1523, the Order was forced to withdraw from Rhodes and relocated to Malta. In return for holding the island of Malta, the Knights had to pay an annual fee to the Holy Roman Emperor of 1 Maltese Falcon. Under Jean de Valette, they built an enormous fortress at what is now Valetta. The Order withstood a nearly 4 month siege again from the Ottoman Empire in which 500 knights along with 6,000 militia held off and finally defeated some 40,000 Turks.

The Order remained in Malta and prospered over the next several centuries until they were overrun by Napoleon Bonaparte and forced out of Malta in 1798. The following century saw the Order splintered and it wouldn't be until the later part of the 20th century that the principal branches of the Order acknowledged each other and their works.

The Order today, in its principal branches, remains faithful to its roots, providing substantial humanitarian care and aid throughout the world. In 120 countries, it supports and manages several hundred medical centres, hospitals and homes for the elderly, dozens of hospices, provides millions of dollars of medicines and renders extensive humanitarian aid and refugee assistance.

For a historian, especially a medieval historian, this piece of history would be a superb addition to a library or collection. For a person fascinated by the deeds and tales of this renowned Order of knights, this manuscript is a direct connection to them and the deeds that have fired readers' imaginations for centuries.

The document is a parchment manuscript measuring 18 inches by 11.5 inches. There is a small flap at the top which served as a closure of the folded document. The manuscript is in very good condition. There are approximately 66 lines of script on the manuscript. The handwriting is tight. Over the centuries, the ink has faded in areas and would likely require some additional effort to be made fully visible. There is a seal that authenticates this manuscript.