Answer ยท confidence: strong
Why did King Denis found the Order of Christ in 1319, not the Hospitallers?
Research question: Why did King Denis persuade Pope John XXII to found the Order of Christ in 1319 rather than give Templar lands to the Hospitallers?
The records show that King Denis revived the Templars of Tomar as the Order of Christ largely in recognition of their aid during the Reconquista and in rebuilding Portugal after the wars 3. Unlike many other states, King Denis refused to pursue and persecute former Templar knights 7. He negotiated with Pope John XXII for recognition of the new order and its right to inherit the Templar assets and property 1. The papal bull Ad ea ex quibus, which granted this recognition and inheritance, was issued on 14 March 1319 5.
Checked 2026-10-15. Only documented and supported facts are used.
Dig deeper on this questionSources
[1] supported
King Denis negotiated with Pope John XXII for recognition of the new order and its right to inherit the Templar assets and property.
"Denis negotiated with Clement's successor, John XXII , for recognition of the new order and its right to inherit the Templar assets and property."Military Order of Christ
[2] supported
King Denis of Portugal requested that Pope John XXII institute the Order of Christ after the Templar order was dissolved.
"following the dissolution of the Templar Order, on 14 March 1319, and following the request of King Denis of Portugal , Pope John XXII instituted the Order of Christ ."Convent of Christ (Tomar)
[3] supported
Denis revived the Templars of Tomar as the Order of Christ largely in recognition of their aid during the Reconquista and in rebuilding Portugal after the wars.
"Denis revived the Templars of Tomar as the Order of Christ, largely for their aid during the Reconquista and in the reconstruction of Portugal after the wars."Military Order of Christ
[4] supported
In Portugal, the Templars' members, assets, and partly their membership were transferred to the Order of Christ, while the Templar order was suppressed across most of Europe from 1312 to 1314.
"The Templar order had been suppressed during most of Europe from 1312 to 1314, but in Portugal its members, assets, and partly its membership were transferred to the Order of Christ ."Convent of Christ (Tomar)
[5] supported
The papal bull Ad ea ex quibus, which granted recognition and the inheritance of Templar assets, was issued on 14 March 1319.
"This was granted in a papal bull, Ad ea ex quibus , on 14 March 1319."Military Order of Christ
[6] supported
The former Templar seat was converted into the seat of the new Order of Christ.
"The seat of the former Knights Templar was converted in 1357 into the seat of this new order."Convent of Christ (Tomar)
[7] supported
Unlike many other states, King Denis refused to pursue and persecute former Templar knights.
"King Denis refused to pursue and persecute the former knights as had occurred in most of the other sovereign states under the political influence of the Catholic Church."Military Order of Christ
[8] supported
Pope Eugenius IV confirmed the transfer of power to Prince Henry the Navigator in the bull Etsi suscepti on January 9, 1443.
"Pope Eugenius IV, in the bull Etsi suscepti of 9 January 1443, solemnly confirmed this transfer of power."Beginnings of Mission (1984)
[9] supported
The document Etsi suscepti marks the first appearance of the expression ius patronatus, defining the right of patronage of the King of Portugal.
"It is to be noted that in this document we meet for the first time the expression ius patronatus, the right of patronage of the king of Portugal."Beginnings of Mission (1984)