<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT SIZE=2>Hello again,<BR>
It is believed that the old San Anton monastery, whose melancholic ruins are extant, was endowed by Alfonso VII in the year 1146 and it became the House General of the San Anton order. The monks, called "antonianos", wore a brown habit adorned with a large Tau and gave little wooden Taus to pilgrims on their way to Santiago. It is said that Saint Francis of Assisi received one from them and used it thenceforth when making the sign of the Cross in benedictions.<BR>
Because of the reputation of the San Anton brothers as healers they were eventually accused of practicing alchemy and other non-Christian acts, which caused Carlos III to obtain a writ, in 1789, extinguishing the order, followed by the permanent closing of the monastery in 1791.<BR>
The good reputation of the San Anton brothers was only restored in the twentieth century. <BR>
Close by, between Olmillos de Sasamon and Castrojeriz, lies Villasandino, the home town of Antonio Alvarez, an extreme off-off-color, and funny, medieval poet, whose works are studied (with great interest, no doubt) by University students all over Spain.<BR>
Regards,<BR>
Rosina<BR>
<BR>
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