Knights of St. John and the Great Siege of Malta 1565
The siege of Malta, defended by the knights of St John, otherwise known as the knights Hospitaller, or Knights of Malta, is one of the great military actions in history. They were a religious military order established prior to the crusades, in order to assist pilgrims on their journey to Christian holy sites across the levant. As the crusades began in earnest, they soon transformed into a military order, rivalling the knights Templar in their prowess and influence.
As the crusader kingdoms slowly began to collapse, the Knights retreated to other strongholds, such as Cyprus and Rhodes, till they eventually also fell to the Muslims.
Finally, entrenched in their last remaining stronghold of Malta, they made their final stand. This battle was to be either "the Alamo" for them, or for the Muslims- "Stalingrad".
#malta, #hospitallers, #valetta, #jeandelavalette, #knights
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Erratum:
Malta was gifted to the Knights by Charles V, not Phillip II
Following the death of Mehmet II, there were 2 (possibly 3) sultans- Bayezid II and Selim I
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Пікірлер: 316
The Templars get all the press, but the Knights of St. John are, in my opinion, the much more impressive of the two. Which isn't meant as an insult to the Templars, merely that the Hospitallers were simply that impressive. Reading about the Knights of St. John inspired me to visit Malta this year, and I am so happy I did. One is left in awe of what they did there in 1565 and what they built in its aftermath.
Very proud to be part of the resistance with my ancestors resiliency and awesome knowledge of warfare. The Knights of St John and the Maltese Cross is on our St John Ambulance fleet and always inspires one to think about that history even up until my Grandad fighting Ww1 and Ww2. The largest canon that fires a 1 tonne shell is in Malta but never fired in anger.
My ancestors provided safe passage from Rhodes to Malta, and went on to fight in the battle of Djerba and the great siege of Malta in 1565. I am immensely proud of my family history during this period.
@heroesandlegends
2 жыл бұрын
I can smell a potential video! If you care to share their story! Thanks so much for contributing!
@davidwhite4874
Жыл бұрын
Dildeau, a proud name of those times, along with Cochwringe and Bhutplugge. May their names echo down the ages!
Forty years ago, after reading a book about the knights of the Holy Land retreating to fortify the island of Rhodes, I went there and wandered around those spectacular fortifications and imagined the carnage and suffering of the 1520 siege etc. It was always my plan to go to Malta and do the same there after reading about this amazing history which you have so brilliantly described here. Unfortunately I never made it to Malta to wander around these magnificent walls testifying to another era of human history but I enjoyed very much your lengthy description of events of what occurred here. Instantly subscribed. Thank you. Cheers from the Train Lord in South Australia a long way away from this epic action.
@heroesandlegends
2 жыл бұрын
This whole channel was the result of the interest i received from that video- which I made following my own trip there a couple of years ago. A truly incredible place!
Thank you so much for this fantastic documentary - I have always wanted to know more of this subject, and having a video makes it so much easier than digging out a book. I feel so happy about that little island's proud history - thank you to the Knights of Malta & the Hospitallers for defending Christendom from Islamic ambitions ! History is so fascinating, and it is a shame that kids are not given a deep enough understanding of this subject - we all have to learn by ourselves for the rest of our lives - I'm 82 now & still learning !
@heroesandlegends
Жыл бұрын
Thanks so much for your generous words. I agree that learning is a life-long pursuit. Making these films helps me to continue learning- from my audience as much as my own research.
@johnnyx9892
Жыл бұрын
" Islamic ambitions". It's going on today in an even grander scale.
@rng_jack1896
3 ай бұрын
I'm Maltese British and I consider myself one of the Maltese Knights because I'm son of the Giorgio a knight, de Giorgio, and I'm a Christian not a Muslim?
Astounding! Thanks for posting.
@heroesandlegends
3 ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
A fascinating story, beautifully told. Thank Allan.
@heroesandlegends
2 жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for supporting my work!
I visited Malta aboard a tourist ship in 2019 and, impressed by the high and forbidding walls, was made dimly aware of the siege. Thanks for the historical clarification as well as linkages to the military history of World War 2.
@victorpulis5113
7 ай бұрын
the bastion you saw were built after the siege and most of them are from the 17th and 18th centuries. during the siege they were much lower. suffice to say that the fortifications of Senglea my home town were just 15 feet high in places and incomplete. obviously those of Valletta did not exist in 1565 as Valetta was not built yet.
The knights who held st . Elmo for a month , is nothing short of a miracle . Straight warriors.
@johnnyx9892
Жыл бұрын
Today "bravery" is a dude who proclaims himself a woman, and wears a dress and makeup on Facebook.
@victorpulis5113
7 ай бұрын
St Elmo held out so long because the Ottomans made a grave mistake in not isolating the fort completely from the rest of the island allowing Gran Master e Valette to constantly supplying the fort with fresh men and ammunition. once the fort was sealed off by Dragut its fate was sealed. if the Turks had blockaded the fort from the beginning it would have fallen in a few days at best as the engineers had predicted.
@feliciaf8
6 ай бұрын
such a state in today's time @@johnnyx9892
As an ordinary, many times visitor to Malta, I also own a book about the Great Siege, and I have asked my Danish Travel Agency to try to obtain the rights to show this film in our Main Center in "The Danish (owned) Village" in Mellieha. I have visited the Fort which, after a long time fighting, was defeated in Valettas harbor, and on a hill to the side from "Our Park" is a former watchtower ("The Red Tower"), also built by Jean de La Valette, with cannons on top and guarding the nearby Bay, from which the helping forces landed and helped in defeating the Sultans army and fleet!
@victorpulis5113
7 ай бұрын
the Red tower (St. Aghata tower) in Mellieħa was not built by de Valette. it was built between 1647 and 1649 under GM Lascaris.
wow, this was way better than I expected, and I had high expectations. thanks for the great content!
@heroesandlegends
2 жыл бұрын
Glad you liked it! I hope my future work wont disappoint either.
Very good historical account of the knights of malta, walking around the streets there are still so many remnants of their time on the island.
@heroesandlegends
2 жыл бұрын
Malta is such an incredible place! Thanks for watching!
@johnnyx9892
Жыл бұрын
I can only imagine the history that was "lost".
I loved this presentation. Thank you very much!
@heroesandlegends
2 жыл бұрын
So glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you. I read a book on the seige a couple of decades ago. I'm off to Malta in a week or so and this was a great refresher course! Well done and thank you for the time you put into this.
@heroesandlegends
2 жыл бұрын
Glad it was helpful! You'll love Malta- don't neglect to visit some of the Palaeolithic sites as well - they're incredible too!
I love military history but have to confess that the 16th century isn't my favourite period. Having said that, your documentary absolutely fascinated me and can't wait to see more! I know the early history of the Templars but sort of steer clear of their sad demise. Your broadcast has changed all that so a really big thank you!!! I really enjoyed this.
By far the most compelling account on the history of the Knights of Malta....
Truly excellent. Thank you - much appreciated and enjoyed.
What a brilliant and well put together video thank you
So glad to have found your channel and this video man. algorithm really went all out.
@heroesandlegends
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for appreciating my content and for taking the time to leave a comment - it all helps!
An amazing story, I had not heard these details before, thank you, H&L.
@heroesandlegends
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for your kind comments, and for choosing to watch my work, when there is so much out there. I hope you find my other films just as inspiring
@user-tr2yg3jw5l
2 жыл бұрын
Man with armour have no balls Malta knights are Satan worship
@dh8822
2 жыл бұрын
@@user-tr2yg3jw5l Deus vult
Excellent storytelling. Gave me goosebumps!
@heroesandlegends
Жыл бұрын
Wow, thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for supporting my channel
Very well done, informative, objective and enthralling.
@heroesandlegends
3 ай бұрын
Thanks, it means a lot to read that!
Great video, thank you! And what an amazing story, wow. Would make a great movie or series.
@joannefarrugia429
Жыл бұрын
I totally agree it would be an epic story
Great work and thanks for sharing. It was a pleasure to watch. Chris
@heroesandlegends
2 жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for supporting my channel
That was great. Unbelievably entertaining and history everyone should know. Thank you. I now subscribe to your channel.
Fantastic. Thank you for making this
Great video 👍I’m really enjoying this channel. keep up the hard work
@heroesandlegends
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much! It's great encouragement to keep going!
Great documentary. Many thanks.
@heroesandlegends
3 ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you for this amazing video! I have recommended the channel to many people. - Please keep producing more videos -
@heroesandlegends
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for your generous comment!
Excellent
WOW Alan! Well done and great detail.
A very lovely presentation, factual & entertaining, having visited Malta several times your factual research has given it a new meaning.
@heroesandlegends
2 жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching.
@EUROWEFILMS
2 жыл бұрын
@@heroesandlegends I would like to add, your commentary is so refreshing far removed by the American in your face scripts with sound edits so tight one becomes breathless in a few seconds. subscribed..
Your channel is so good. You talk about so many historical people I've never heard of before. Keep up the good work sir
@heroesandlegends
Жыл бұрын
Thank you very much! Just sharing stories I think are worth telling. Thanks for your support!
So glad to come across your channel, fabulous history lesson. Thankyou
@heroesandlegends
3 ай бұрын
Glad you enjoy it!
I am a direct descendant of the Reinoso Family, they were associated with the Catholic Military Order, they were sent from Spain to Malta back to Spain and then to Mexico, now in the USA. We have a very rich history and I'm so happy for this knowledge being put out there.
@heroesandlegends
Күн бұрын
Thanks for sharing! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Great vid Allan; Thanks so much!
@heroesandlegends
10 күн бұрын
Thanks for watching!
Very well researched , documented, and presented..Thank you
@heroesandlegends
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for your generous comments! I appreciate your support of my channel
@joannefarrugia429
Жыл бұрын
Should be made into a movie or tv series ,it would be an epic
Excellent. Many thanks for this.
@heroesandlegends
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much for your generous comment!
Yes. Warriors. They protected Europe. We still do. Lady Tisa
Very thorough and interesting. Thank you
I really enjoyed this; very informative 👍👍
This is giving me goose bumps!
This wonderful work renews afresh my desires to travel & meet new & different peoples. Thanks for sharing history.
@heroesandlegends
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for those generous words! It makes all the hard work worthwhile!
Great history lesson, thank you.
I subscribed after watching this excellent video. Thank you very much.
@heroesandlegends
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the sub! Welcome aboard!
A great documentary about what most people today would not know about the very special St John's group and how they still help the sick
@heroesandlegends
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much for your support of my channel!
Excellent story and presentation. Well done.
This was excellent. Thank you.
@heroesandlegends
Жыл бұрын
You're very welcome! I appreciate your generous comment!
Excellent! Thank you
Very well presented
Excellent. Thank you. New subscribed.
Now why didn't we get such informative presentations of history in High Schools and Colleges instead of the boring, monotone presentations of many of the Religious Brothers, Teachers and Professors who , themselves, had very little background in their subjects.
@heroesandlegends
2 жыл бұрын
Need an Aussie to do it right! Thanks so much for taking the time to view my work! I appreciate your kind feedback!
@Aussieboiboi
9 ай бұрын
@@heroesandlegends yeah you called me?
@Its_Shaun_the_Sheep
8 ай бұрын
Because you’re not Maltese or read The Great Siege of Malta book from 1970’s? 😊 Great history from 6500BC Megalithic Temples to the crucial support given in WW2 earning the whole Island the George Cross for Gallantry. 3 WW1 Biplanes Faith, Hope and Charity protected the skies against much mire modern WW2 aircraft. Through DNA testing I am one of their ancestors and proud of their heroics with little help.
@karenveseli6706
7 ай бұрын
Yes I am a knight pure
@karenveseli6706
7 ай бұрын
Pure soldier fighters for first world war and second only knights will fight for there country
I will be in Malta next week and pay homage to this beautiful country ❤
@heroesandlegends
2 ай бұрын
You'll love it! Thanks for watching!
Superb!
A job well done.. Thank you
My beloved country malta where people from all over the world come to earn their livelyhood . We have people living here from the u.s. of america to balochistan
@heroesandlegends
3 ай бұрын
An amazing country indeed! Thanks for watching my humble tribute
@robinhood3926
2 ай бұрын
Thanks for your part and i must say as a maltese partisan this vid is excellent. 🇲🇹 if you ever want to come to malta tell me and i ll send you my number .
Fantastic!
Excellent documentary, thank you
Absolutely outstanding 👍🏼
@heroesandlegends
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much 😀
Very well narrated and paced !!
@heroesandlegends
10 ай бұрын
Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Dude this the coolest history story ever, other than like the 300 Spartans. HOW IS THERE NOT A MOVIE ABOUT THIS!!!!
@heroesandlegends
Жыл бұрын
I think there's Buckley's chance of it happening now, given the state of politics. Thanks for watching- I appreciate your support and generous comment!
great documentary about our beloved country. small island, big balls. thank you🇲🇹
@heroesandlegends
5 ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
great, excellent! thx
@heroesandlegends
7 ай бұрын
You're welcome!
Please ensure your comments are civilised and dignified. Filters are in place to block foul or hateful language. Play the ball, not the player, otherwise you may be blocked and have your comment disallowed. As these videos are solo efforts, written and recorded over many long hours, mistakes are quite possible. I appreciate any corrections and will post them in an Erratum below and in the Description section. Thanks for supporting my channel, and enjoy! ERRATA / CORRIGENDA 1. Malta was gifted to the Knights by Charles V, not Phillip II 2. Following the death of Mehmet II, there were 2 (possibly 3) sultans- Bayezid II and Selim I
@barneysdad9193
2 жыл бұрын
@@Thoth_al_Khem All the free speech you like but keep it respectful. He has already offered to correct any mistakes. You should learn to read carefully without being a smart a**e. I don't know why you are here in the first place if you don't want to learn and engage in polite exchange!
@annarzasa1
2 жыл бұрын
black anti Christian propaganda , author dont even know one of the fundamental rules of Order ...never surrender ...every knight knew Order never would pay a ransom....200 Orders knights at Hattin....what a bs...in all Holly Land there were 400 Orders knights in all castels
@stylembonkers1094
2 жыл бұрын
Good man.
@johnnyx9892
Жыл бұрын
In other words "play the game", and the game is you can say pretty much anything you want against the white/euro culture. But say one thing against blacks or Muslims (even if it can be proven) and you will be cancelled. Tell me I am wrong.
As a young person I was a cadet in the St John's Ambulance Bridge. They had a serious of badges leading to the Grand Prior badge for completion of a set badge tests. One of them was History of the Order of the knight's
@malsm8892
2 жыл бұрын
To finish the Order of Knight's Hospitaler of St John of Jerusalem.
Story well told. Thank you
@heroesandlegends
2 жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it - thanks for supporting my channel!
These knights are inspiring! Great video.
@heroesandlegends
Жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed!
that suit armour shown in the video (52:35) did not belong to de Valette but to GM Alof de Wignacourt.
What a great video. I was in Rhodes last week and went through the knights street and the Grand Master palace but i was so frustrated that the palace offered barely ANY information about this historical place. Now that I know this much about the knights i feel even more disapointed. When i asked one of the workers whats the reason for that, he said the ministery does not want to spend more money, what a shame!
@heroesandlegends
Жыл бұрын
That's a shame, because when I was there, they had an interactive exhibit, with a cinema experience, and at the St.Elmo fort they had an excellent museum with exhibits ranging from from Roman times, to the early Islamic occupation, even Napoleonic occupation and all the way through to World War 2. In central Valletta the Armoury museum is also incredible. So much history in that little place- the Neolithic sites especially are amazing. Definitely a place worth returning to more than once. Thanks so much for taking the time to view my work! I'd love to know what you think of my Ibn Battuta video.
A book worth getting is the Wordsworth Military History book on the Siege of Malta
@christopherjcarson
Жыл бұрын
Must chase it up! Thanks for the recommendation.
Excellent clip exhibiting a very rich history and bravery of the knights and Maltese in defeating the powerful Ottoman Empire, famously known as The Great Siege of Malta.
@heroesandlegends
5 ай бұрын
thank you!
All these producers saying there are no good stories left, yet here you have ac fantastic story that NO ONE has made a series or movie about. Mind boggling.
@heroesandlegends
Ай бұрын
Thanks! I appreciate your support!
Wonderful story! Thanks! Now I have to have a copy of the black bird.
@heroesandlegends
Жыл бұрын
You can buy them in Valletta- they're delicious
Brilliant
Fascinating documentry.
Brilliant documentary really enjoyed. 👍
@heroesandlegends
Жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks so much for watching!
The novels "The Religion" by Tim Willocks and "Sword And Scimitar" (Sorry, forgotten the author's name) cover this conflict, and keep as close to the historical data from both sides as possible. Both fantastic reads, and highly rated by most people I know who love historical novels. I read both of them cover to cover in one wonderful day/night, and keep repeating that experience whenever I find them in my local library :-)
@sheerluckholmes7720
Жыл бұрын
"Sword and Scimitar" by Raymond Ibrahim a worthy read.👌
Thank you
A good and fairly accurate video. Chevalier Baron Rowe OSJ(J), Grand Commander, Sovereign Oder of Knights Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta (Ecumenical Order). We still serve the poor, the needy and the sick.
@heroesandlegends
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much for your generous praise! Good luck in your ongoing humanitarian work!
@lulatisatisa7252
Жыл бұрын
Yes MICHEAL. But my family needs help.
Wow what a story!!
I've been enjoying your videos Thank you. Would it interest you to know the Order of the Knights of the Temple were not wiped out throughout Europe but simply became the Order of Christ in Portugal, whose knowledge became the basis for Prince Henry the Navigator's school?
@heroesandlegends
9 ай бұрын
That's awesome, thanks for sharing!
excellent
Blessings and peace to all . I am the oldest of the bloodline. Stand your ground. Amen
Good stuff bro
Wikipedia and my knowledge…Victory Day (or Otto settembre) is a public holiday celebrated in Malta on 8 September[1] and recalls the end of three historical sieges made on the Maltese archipelago, namely: the Great Siege of Malta by the Ottoman Empire ending in 1565; the Siege of Valletta by the French Blockade ending in 1800 and, the Siege of Malta during the Second World War by the Axis forces ending in 1943. So Sept 8th is the celebrated birth of The Blessed Virgin Mary and their prayers were answered each time on that day.
I really enjoyed this thank you, The Hospitaller Knights of St John were hardcore through and through and quit rightly feared by there enemy's. I think they were far superior to the knights templar hands down.
Great work!
@heroesandlegends
Жыл бұрын
Thanks!
My medical insurance plan is St John’s hospital of Santa Monica Ca. One of the St John's Hospitallers American hospital chains. Right back to 800 AD. Best hospital medical system in the western states. UCLA and Cedars Sinia have the best publicity departments. But St John’s has the best Drs
Great story, thank you
@heroesandlegends
2 жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for your kind comments!
Great video....
Well done!
Marvellous!
@heroesandlegends
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much!
Fort t. Elmo and St. Michael were built by Grand master Juan d'Homedes in1552 not by de Valette. Valletta was built after the siege with the first stone being layed on 28th March 1566 by de Valette.
Very interesting.
@heroesandlegends
11 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching!
Excellent and very informative documentary, thank you. When you spoke about the Knights Templar at the beginning, it was mentioned that their wealth came from banking which is only partially true. Their vast wealth actually came mostly from the very large amount of land and real estate they received as donation, not only from members of the nobility but also from ordinary people who were hoping for salvation in the process. These substantial assets were very effectively managed by the Templars and a large income was thus generated. This, I believe is actually the ''hidden treasure'' of the order of the Templars which cost many of them their lives as a result of the greed of Philippe Le Bel (Philip IV The Fair) with the help of the Pope and the Catholic Church.
@lulatisatisa7252
Жыл бұрын
WAtt...we forgive.
@lulatisatisa7252
Жыл бұрын
Malta Knights where sea people...Templers wanted power. They where not the same.
@awatt1404
Жыл бұрын
@@lulatisatisa7252 You may be correct but it has nothing to do with my comment.
I'm sure that on a tour of the co-cathedral of St. John's, one of the tombstones is covered by glass. It's the only one you can't walk directly over (being covered by glass). I think the inscription on it says something along the lines of... step on me and I'll step on you? Maybe the guide told us that as a joke - can anyone shed any light on this?
I was born and lived for 42 ears in Senglea one of the cities besieged by the Ottomans in 1565. it was constantly bombarded and assaulted throughout the four months of the siege. Its walls were still incomplete and very low but the knights along with the Maltese and the mercenary soldiers managed to keep the Turkish hordes out. After the siege Gran master de Valette honoured the city with the title Civitas Invicta the unconqiered city. I have been fascinated by the siege ever since I was a child and in 1998 I published a graphic novel about the siege consisting of over 300 ilustrations, Now I have a new revised version which is waiting publication.
@heroesandlegends
7 ай бұрын
Please feel free to share the link to your novel, and thanks for sharing your story!
@victorpulis5113
7 ай бұрын
unfortunately I have no link to my graphic novel. @@heroesandlegends
39:48 note the newspaper mistakenly call Malta the 'V.C. Island' should be G.C.
The 1558 sacking of Ciutadella in Menorca by an Ottoman fleet of galleys is a terrifying event. This story is contemporary to the Spanish Armada’s voyage and defeat on England. I violent age.
Greatest film never made.