A later chapter in the same story
In 1565, the Hospitallers under Grand Master Jean de Valette helped defend Malta against an Ottoman siege. The successful defence became a defining episode in the order’s history.
Why Malta belongs here
This was an early modern siege, long after the medieval Kingdom of Jerusalem. Following the Hospitallers from the Holy Land through Rhodes to Malta shows how an order could adapt across very different eras.
More than a single hero
A siege is sustained by many kinds of work. Fortifications, supplies, medical care and the efforts of the wider defending community belong alongside commanders and knights in any account of endurance.
Explore the wider legacy
The siege offers a gateway into the Hospitallers’ military history. Their hospital mission provides the companion story: caring for people as well as defending a position.
Sources & further reading
Historical summaries are original editorial introductions. Follow the sources to explore the evidence and differing interpretations.