https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148166 Sun, 11 Oct 2026 17:24:31 GMT 2026-10-11T17:24:31Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148354 Title: The Medieval organogram of the Brethren of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem during the crusader period Abstract: The Brethren of Saint Lazarus during the 12-13th centuries evolved from a purely monastic hospitaller order to assume the added role of maintaining a small military detachment to help protect the Kingdom of Jerusalem. This required the development of a two-tiered organization emulating on one part the organization of the monastic orders and on another the organization of the military orders. Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148354 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148351 Title: The collegiate church of Burton Lazars Abstract: The article sets out to explore the history of the last church of the order of St Lazarus at Burton Lazars. It existed for about a hundred years up until the order’s dissolution by Henry VIII in 1544, after which the church seems to have been entirely obliterated. The article seeks to draw together the fragments of information which exist from documentary sources to add to the evidence from the stonework explored by Dr Jenny Alexander in Vol 4 of the Acta Historiae Sancti Lazari Ordinis. Collegiate churches are also examined as an important phenomenon in late medieval religion to create a general context: and also the collegiate church of Tattershall, Lincolnshire, about the same date and scale as the vanished Burton Lazars, as a comparison. The conclusion is that the two articles, together, provide a last glimpse of the Order of St Lazarus on the eve of the Dissolution and its principal preceptory at Burton Lazars. Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148351 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148220 Title: The fly in the ointment : cantharides in the Holy Infirmary? Abstract: Cantharidin, extracted from some very colourful beetles of the Meloidae family, came with a sting in its tail. Although used as a panacea for a multitude of medical problems, it was recognised as a poison, and stringent measures were observed, both in its production as well in its application. It had also multiple side effects, some of which, particularly those that caused genital inflammation were specifically looked for. One of its purveyors included the Marquis de Sade who administered it to prostitutes in non-pharmacological doses. It was also used in simples in the Holy Infirmary of St John on Malta, where it was adequately stocked and used by the physicians there. The medical indications here, presumably, were dissimilar from those sought after by de Sade. Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148220 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148219 Title: The 1519 papal bull Religionis zelus promulgated by Leo X Abstract: In 1489, the Order of St Lazarus was suppressed by Innocent VIII to supposedly augment the holdings and benefices of the Order to the Order of St John. This was strongly opposed by the grand magistry of the Order of St Lazarus supported by the French Royal House. The relationship between the Kingdom of France and the Holy See was eventually regulated by the Concordat of Bologna of 1516 which gave the French king the right to choose and present for eventual appointment by the Holy See the French master general of the Order of St Lazarus. The king’s nomination of Claude de Mareuil as master general of the Order of St Lazarus in 1519 led to the confirmation of the appointment by Leo X. This confirmation led to the repealing of previous bulls abolishing the Order. Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148219 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z