2532

February 19. Lyons. Pope Innocent IV writes to the archbishop of Nicosia [Eustorge de Montaigut] and the bishop of Limassol, relating that he was informed on behalf of Master [William of Chastel Neuf (Châteauneuf)] and brothers of the Hospital of Jerusalem that Count [Earl] Richard of Cornwall, the brother of King [Henry III] of England, repaired the walls, ditches and other defensive elements of the castle of Ascalon situated on the pagan frontier during his sojourn in Outremer, and the Hospitallers took over the care of the castle against the enemies of the faith, when others refused. Because they went to great expense for this and continue to do so, lest they be defrauded of their labour and expense in the future should the castle be taken from their care, they asked the pope to provide for them. The pope orders the addressees, if it is so, and if the castle should ever devolve on someone else, to have the person who has dominion make full restitution of the expenses of the Hospitallers.