 In 1607, the Grand Master of the Hospitallers was granted the status of "Reichsfürst" (Prince of the Holy Roman Empire), even though the Order's territory was always south of the Holy Roman Empire.In 1630, he was awarded ecclesiastic equality with cardinals, and the unique hybrid style "His Most Eminent Highness", reflecting both qualities qualifying him as a true Prince of the Church.Following the knights' relocation to Malta, they had found themselves devoid of their initial reason for existence