Knights of St. John and the Great Siege of Malta 1565

Heroes and Legends Documentary Channel・2 minutes read

The Knights of Saint John, renowned for their medical skills and military prowess, faced off against Ottoman forces led by Suleiman the Magnificent in a six-month resistance in Rhodes in 1522, ultimately surrendering and dispersing throughout Europe. Following their revival in Malta, the Knights, under the leadership of De Valette, successfully defended the island against a massive Ottoman invasion in 1565, garnering European support and resources for rebuilding efforts.

Insights

  • The Knights of Saint John, founded by Gerard in Jerusalem, played a crucial role in defending against Islamic expansion, boasting autonomy and wealth granted by the Pope.
  • The successful defense of Malta in 1565, led by Grand Master De Valette, against the Ottoman invasion not only shifted European perceptions of the conflict but also unified European kingdoms, pouring resources into rebuilding Malta into a formidable fortress and capital city.

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Recent questions

  • What was the significance of the Knights of Saint John?

    The Knights of Saint John were a prominent military order formed in Jerusalem, excelling in medicine and physiology, granted autonomy by the Pope in 1113. They held back Islamic expansion, rivaling the Templars in prestige.

  • How did the Knights of Saint John defend Rhodes?

    The Knights of Saint John fortified Rhodes, focusing on naval activities. They fiercely resisted Sultan Mehmet II's naval invasion in 1480 and Suleiman the Magnificent's armada in 1522, surrendering after a six-month resistance.

  • Who was Dragut Reis and what was his impact?

    Dragut Reis was an Ottoman naval genius who decimated European navies, leading to a coalition against him. Despite efforts to destroy him, he remained a formidable threat, showcasing his naval prowess.

  • What led to the victory of the defenders in Malta?

    The defenders in Malta, vastly outnumbered by the Ottoman armada in 1565, utilized strategies like poisoning wells and harvesting crops to deprive the Ottomans of resources. The Ottomans' split in command and eventual disarray, coupled with fierce resistance from the defenders, led to significant losses for the Ottomans and a successful defense of Malta.

  • How did the victory in Malta impact European kingdoms?

    The miraculous victory in Malta against the Ottomans in 1565 led to a unification of European kingdoms, pouring resources into rebuilding Malta. A super fortress and a new capital city, Civitas Superbissima, were established, symbolizing the resilience and unity of European powers.

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Summary

00:00

Knights of Saint John: Rise and Fall

  • In 1522, Ottoman forces under Suleiman the Magnificent dominated the Balkans and Mediterranean, leading to the Age of Discovery.
  • The Knights of Saint John, formed by Gerard in Jerusalem, treated Christians, Jews, and Muslims, excelling in medicine and physiology.
  • The Knights, primarily composed of knights and nobles, were granted autonomy by the Pope in 1113, becoming wealthy and militarily capable.
  • The Knights, known for their ferocity, held back Islamic expansion for decades, rivaling the Templars in prestige.
  • The Knights, after retreating from the Levant, fortified Rhodes, focusing on shipping and naval activities.
  • Sultan Mehmet II launched a massive naval invasion in 1480 to conquer Rhodes, but the Knights fiercely resisted.
  • Suleiman the Magnificent led a massive armada in 1522 to dislodge the Knights from Rhodes after a six-month resistance.
  • The Knights surrendered to Suleiman, leaving Rhodes, dispersing throughout Europe, with the order nearly extinguished.
  • The Knights, revived by the King of Spain in Malta and Tripoli, became a naval force, raiding Ottoman merchant shipping.
  • Dragut Reis, an Ottoman naval genius, decimated European navies, leading to a coalition to destroy him, but he remained a formidable threat.

20:44

The Siege of Malta: Heroic Defense

  • The protagonist studied Arabic and Turkish languages, gaining insight into enemy tactics and mindset during his imprisonment.
  • Upon release, he was appointed captain general of the hospital fleet in 1554 due to his effectiveness.
  • He became the new grand master in 1557, ruling with strict discipline and establishing a spy network.
  • Anticipating an Ottoman invasion, he fortified Malta with new defenses and munitions.
  • The Ottoman armada, with 40,000 soldiers, arrived in May 1565 to invade Malta.
  • The defenders, vastly outnumbered, included knights, infantry, and local civilians.
  • The defenders poisoned wells and harvested crops to deprive the Ottomans of resources.
  • The Ottomans debated strategies, leading to a split in command and eventual disarray.
  • The defenders, despite heavy losses, resisted fiercely, with even civilians joining the fight.
  • The Ottomans suffered significant losses, including over 6,000 men and half of their elite Janissaries, leading to a shift in European perception of the conflict.

41:37

"Knights' Victory Unites Europe, Rebuilds Malta"

  • A group of knights landed on the island on September 7th and engaged in a successful battle against the retreating Turks, resulting in the Ottoman forces fleeing the island.
  • The defending hospital and local population suffered losses, but the victory against the Ottomans was significant, with estimates indicating over 35,000 enemy casualties out of a 40,000-strong invasion force.
  • The miraculous Christian victory led to a unification of European kingdoms, pouring resources into Malta for rebuilding a super fortress and a new capital city, Civitas Superbissima, laid by De Valette in 1566.
  • Despite personal tragedies, including the murder of his daughter, De Valette dedicated himself to rebuilding Malta, eventually passing away in 1568, with his remains buried in St. John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta, a unique resting place for knights.
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