Page "Order of Calatrava" Paragraph 14

Calatrava had developed abundant resources of men and wealth, with lands and castles scattered along the borders of Castile.

It exercised feudal lordship over thousands of peasants and vassals.

Thus, more than once, we see the order bringing to the field, as its individual contributions, 1200 to 2000 knights, a considerable force in the Middle Ages.

Moreover, it enjoyed autonomy, being by its constitutions independent in temporal matters and acknowledging only spiritual superiors — the Abbot of Morimond and, in appeal, the pope.

These authorities interfered, in consequence of a schism which first broke out in 1296 through the simultaneous election of two grand masters, García Lopez and Gautier Perez.