Konvent, generális káptalan, perjelségek: a johannita „hálózat” a középkorban
Convent, General Chapter, Priories: The “Network” of the Knights Hospitaller in the Middle Ages

Summary/Abstract: An important development for the highly centralized military orders in the 12th century was the formation of provinces. By the middle of the 13h century, hundreds of preceptories had been established across Europe and the Holy Land, and the leadership of the orders had to maintain close contact with them. It was done predominantly through the general chapter, modeled after the organization of the Cistercian order. It was the most important decisionmaking body of the military orders, including the Knights Hospitaller, where the leaders of the provinces (priors, provincial masters) could represent their administrative units in the province. This study examines the institution of the general chapter of the Knights Hospitaller, its purpose of counterbalancing the power of the Grand Master, and the transformation of this decision-making body in the late Middle Ages. In the period between the 12th and 16th centuries, the general chapter of the Knights Hospitaller convened at irregular times, mostly to appoint the leaders of the order, levy taxes, and discuss disciplinary issues. By the 15th century, two important changes had been introduced. First, from the middle of the century, convening the general chapter was included in the regulations of the order, second, it became obvious that these meetings became grounds of the constant political conflicts within the order. The influence of certain tongues (lingua) changed significantly over time, and the new power balance was represented at these meetings. In light of this information, the “affiliation” of the Hungarian-Slavonian priory can also be reassessed.

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