of the persons of the holy Trinity ; that Mary, the daughter of Joachim and Anna, of the tribe of Judah, and of the race of David, remained always a virgin before her delivery, daring and after her delivery. I promise likewise to be submissive and obedient to the Master-general of the order, in conformity with the statutes prescribed by our father Saint Bernard ; that I will at all times in case of need pass the seas to go and fight ; that I will always afford succour against the infidel kings and princes; that in the presence of three enemies I will fly not, but cope with them, if they are infidels ; that I will not sell the property of the order, nor consent that it be sold or alienated ; that I will always preserve chastity ; that I will be faithful to the king of ; that I will never surrender to the enemy the towns and places belonging to the order; and that I will never refuse to the religious any succour that I am able to afford them ; that I will aid and defend them by words, by arms, and by all sorts of good offices ; and in sincerity and of my own free will I swear that I will observe all these things."* Among the earliest of the Masters, or Grand Priors, or Grand Preceptors of England, whose names figure history, is Richard de Hastings, who was at the bead of the order in this country on the accession of King Henry the Second to the throne,+ (α. β . 1154,") and was employed by that monarch in various important negotiations. In the year llfiO he greatly offended the king of Prance. The Princess Margaret, the " L'histoire des Ct»teaux, Chrimst, Jienrit/jtes, p. 479. t Ricardus de IlastingeB, Alagister omnium militum et fratrum Templi qui sunt in Anglià, saluterà. Notum vohia facimus quod omnia controversia qua! Ant inter nos et monacbos de Kirkested ... . terminata et finita est aa«ensu et Consilio nostro et militum et fratrum, &c, anno ab incarnatione Domini 1155, li diekal. Feb. The archbishop of Canterbury, the papa] legate, the bishop of Lincoln, and several abbots, are witnesses to this instrument.—Lansdoutn MS. 207 13, fol. 407, p. 1 o"2, 163 ; see also p. 31!, where he is mentioned as Master, A. U. 1161.