3097

October 7. Anagni. Pope Alexander IV writes to the master and brothers of the Hospital of Jerusalem, relating that he has learned that the Hospital is burdened with unbearable debts that they cannot repay because of their reduced incomes in these bad times, which are hardly enough to cover the interest (et vix sufficientes voragini usurarum exonerari non potest), unless they have outside help. Lest the Hospital collapse to the grave detriment to the Holy Land, the pope grants that they can receive up to 2,000 silver marks anywhere outside the Kingdom of Germany from money spent in redemption of crusading vows; from money gained via usury, robbery, or other evil ways that the faithful order to be restored in their last will or are ready to do so while they are living, even if they are healthy, as long as those to whom the money must be restored cannot be found at all; and from testaments of the faithful with bequests to the Holy Land without expressing specific places or persons. Those who give this money to the Hospital shall not be obliged to do other restitution or satisfaction for that money, but they remain held to restore any remaining amount, if there is any.