1386

May 8. Lateran. Pope Celestine III writes to the Valaniensis episcopus, who has sought advice from the Holy See. The pope agrees to allow the bishop to wear on his clothes the sign of the cross, according to the custom of the brothers of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem, from whom he was chosen to be bishop, and to swear an oath of security to the Hospitallers relating to an indemnification over the castle of Margatum, but he stresses that this should not create a precedent for the bishop’s successors, unless his predecessors acted similarly with respect to the lords of Margatum. The pope confirms the liberties, immunities and customs of the Valaniensis ecclesia, saving the privileges and all the rights of the bishops and of the brothers of the Hospital of Jerusalem.