Knight Hospitaller (2): 1306–1565

Osprey Warrior #41

by David Nicolle, Christa Hook (Illustrator)

Having campaigned on land during their early existence, the Hospitallers fought mainly at sea from the turn of the 14th century. The emphasis was now on small-scale operations, rather than the crusading invasion that had so often come to grief. Having conquered Rhodes, the Order fortified it and transferred there in 1309. A period of on-off warfare with the Mamluks became full-blown conflict with the Ottomans, who captured Rhodes in 1522, forcing the Hospitallers to transfer to Malta. This book, the second of two, takes a close look at the men who lived and died for the Hospitaller cause in this key period, and the political and economic role that the Order played within the Christian empire.

Genres: History, Military History, Medieval, Nonfiction, World History

64 pages, Paperback

Published November 25, 2001

About the author

David C. Nicolle is a British historian specialising in the military history of the Middle Ages, with a particular interest in the Middle East.

Reviews

[Henry Davis IV · Rating 3 out of 5]

This follow-up to the first book covering the Hospitallers from 1100 to 1306 by noted Middle-Eastern Historian David Nicolle is a bit thinner on detail than the first book, but effectively provides readers a picture of the then diminished order's activities, lifestyle, dress, and other aspects from 1306 to 1565. Unlike the Knights Templar whose order was dissolved in the 14th Century, the Hospitaller Order survives to the present day through various fraternal and religious organizations, though not as a true "military order" per-se. I highly recommend this book after one has read the first volume for anyone interested in religious military orders or Mediterranean history.

[Edoardo Albert · Rating 4 out of 5]

The usual excellent illustrated Osprey guide to an aspect of the past, in this case the post-Acre history of the Knights of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem, with useful visual guides for wargamers and modellers.