If he had a commandery it would make a vacancy, and give the grand prior, or the grand master, or the council, in whosoever's gift it might be, an opportunity of rewarding services or of gratifying some powerful family." "I agree with you that it would have been much better, Sir John.

I can understand that monks, ever living a quiet life apart from the world, should be content so to continue; but among a body of warlike knights there must be many who, in time, must come to regret the vows they took when boys.

The cadet of a noble family might, by the death of elder brothers, come to be the head of a great family, the ruler over wide domains.

Surely it would be desirable that such a man should be able to marry and have heirs." "Doubtless it could be managed in such cases, Gervaise, but it is a pity that it should have to be managed.

I can see no reason in the world why a knight, after doing ten years of service here, should not be free to marry, providing he takes a vow to render full service to the Order whenever called upon to do so.