3145

March 5. Lateran. Pope Alexander IV writes to Archbishop [Gilles] of Tyre (Tyrensis), relating that he learned from the archbishop's petition that, with the assent of the master and brothers of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem, he ordered constructed with his own goods a hospital for poor Breton pilgrims from the city and province of Tours (Turonensis) coming to Outremer, in a certain house in the city of Acre owing rent (censuali) to the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem. Cardinal-Bishop [Eudes de Châteauroux] of Tusculum (Tusculanus), then papal legate in those parts, established and granted on his legatine authority that an oratory be built in said house, an altar be erected in honour of Blessed Martin the Confessor, and a bell be had in it also, such that the oblations given to it be converted to the support of said paupers staying there, saving the right of the parish church, as is more fully contained in the cardinal’s letter on this. At the archbishop’s request, the pope ratifies, confirms, and strengthens this, inserting Cardinal-Bishop Odo of Tusculum (Tusculanus)’s letter verbatim, dated 29 August 1254 (see RRR 3003). Odo's letter specifies that Aegydius was then archbishop elect, that the house is on the Street (vico) of the English, that he bought the house anew from Thomas Cordario, that Blessed Martin was gloriosissimus and shared his pallium (cloak) in winter with a pauper, that alms and offerings during Mass would be used for the residents, that the bell would ring for Masses and hours, and that the residents and those who officiate in the oratory shall be subject to the bishop of Acre (Acconensis).