ABSTRACT
The Order of St Lazarus was an integral part of institutional welfare in the Holy Land during the twelfth century. After the loss of the final mainland "crusader" territories in the year 1291, the role of the military-religious orders went through what can only be described as a crisis. Numerous proposals and treatises were produced to make the concept concrete. Only the larger military-religious orders continued to operate on an international scale. In 1291, a "house of St Lazarus" was most commonly a preceptory, a modest rural lordship based on an agricultural income. In England, the Order concentrated more on its charitable and hospitaller activities. The income from lands and revenues were no longer for military activities overseas, as was still officially the case in 1256. A ceremony is described, during which the master of England is orally approved by the "meistre generall", saying "nous le voulons" and thus leaving no written record.
