Echoes of the Latin East among the Hospitallers of the West: the priory of Saint Gilles, c.1260–c.1300

Résumé En

The importance of Provence as the backbone of the crusade and military orders is well known. At first glance, however, the logistic and military missions for the Latin East are mostly kept in the background by the documentary profile characterizing the Western commanderies. Throughout the thirteenth century, the Hospitallers nevertheless kept embodying the Holy Land in the eyes of both the faithful and the regional powers. Donations continued to be directed to the hospital of St. John in Jerusalem, while the General Council of Lyon in 1274 was the occasion to recall that, despite the difficulties of the times, the Order had never neglected its missions. Therefore, this article hightlights the human, material and financial contributions of the Provençal commanderies for the defense of the Holy Land. Regular contacts between both sides of the Mediterranean are suggested by the transfers of goods and individuals registered in the accounting books of the Manosque commandery. The procedures for levying responsiones, as well as their impact on the commandery budget, appear in particular in the accounts. The fall of Acre in 1291 did not in any way represent a break. The Order seemed still completely targeted at the subsidium Terrae Sanctae and many brethren from the Priory of St. Gilles were still ready for the passage overseas.