Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/541

election, and during his brief rule of six years, no event of importance occurred. His death, which took place on the 6th of February, 1601, closed an epoch in the annals of the Order marked by a glorious succession of heroic deeds. From the year 1476, when Peter D’Aubusson was elected Grand-Master, down to the last years of the century just expired, the fraternity had maintained its position in the eyes of Europe with the most brilliant success. During this period of its existence it had witnessed the rule of three chiefs, whose names have attained a European renown. The history of that time could record no names more distinguished than those of Peter D’Aubusson, Villiers de L’Isle Adam, and John do La Valette. That age had now, however, passed away, and though, during the two centuries through which the Order yet struggled, it could boast of many a chief whose skill in administration and talents in the council chamber were of a high class, still the deeds of these later times will bear no comparison with those that had gone before, which must be always considered as the golden age of the institution.