THE TEMPLE IN EUROPE
the Temple was held by the Grand Preceptor of each
province. In Great Britain, the Grand Preceptor of England
presided over the chapter, to which the leading officers in
England and the Grand Preceptors of Scotland and Ireland
were summoned. Letters from the Holy Land, which were
always being received by the provinces, were discussed, and
the action to be taken was decided by the chapter 5 accounts
of the revenue were presented and reports given of the
conditions in each area. According to the state of the Holy
Land, it was laid down how many knights and sergeants
should be sent to the East $ arrangements for transport were
settled j and new regulations drawn up as necessary. But
though the chapter had the nominal power, the Grand
Preceptor of a province could usually sway the brethren as
he wished.
In addition to the yearly chapter, the Grand Preceptor
travelled through his territory and held local chapters in
various parts of the country. These assemblies dealt with
all matters which were not important enough for submission
to the provincial chapter or which required immediate settle-
ment. New recruits were examined, lesser officers appointed,
and complaints investigated. The decisions of such local
chapters could be challenged by the general chapter of the
province, but against the ruling of the latter there was no
appeal except to the general council of the West or to
Jerusalem. Reports of the general chapters of every
province were sent to the Grand Master, who rarely inter-
vened unless specifically asked to do so.
The Bull of Alexander III had established the authority
of the Grand Master over the whole Order and the control
was maintained by means of Visitors General. These officers
were charged with the inspection and supervision of the work
of the Grand Preceptors and reported to Jerusalem on the
affairs of each province. Visitors General were the pleni-
potentiaries of the Grand Master and acted in his name.