Abstract

Life within the Order of the Knights Hospitallers was ruled by an intricate set of regulations, which guided the conduct of the knights, the administration of the Order and of its assets. The sanctions prescribed were established for the non-observation of the professed vows, observance of the morals and acceptable behaviours, adequate use of the habit, correct administration practices, defence of the convents and even of the conduct during periods of war. It is possible to identify modifications to these rules, brought by historical conjuncture, since the early days of the Order. The set of rules and corresponding penalties represent an increasing complexity to the institution's organizational structure and a greater involvement of the knights with the civil society, parallel to more secular behaviours