ABSTRACT
The lack of evidence is the main obstacle in the way to studying the order's organizational functions. This chapter discusses that there is a way to get around the lack of evidence by re-examining the circumstances, leading to the order's legislation of 1262, which, among other things, forbade the alienation of its property. In the way, it would be possible to reconstruct its process of policy making, which could give people a much better understanding of the ways the Hospital operated as an international order. In March 1262, Urban IV wrote to the Hospitallers in this kingdom that letters, showed that they owed several sums to creditors. Practical policies implemented locally took precedence; the master failed to impose central economic decisions on the European priories. The Hospitallers and the Christian settlers in the East were besieged in a few towns along the coast and were completely dependent on supplies from Europe.
