The Knights Hospitaller

The Knights Hospitaller by Helen J. Nicholson provides an in-depth exploration of the history of the Order of St John of Jerusalem, Rhodes and Malta, also known as the Knights Hospitaller. Beginning with its origins as a hospice for pilgrims in Jerusalem in the eleventh century, this study traces the development of the Order into a military force during the twelfth century, and its activities on the frontiers of Christendom in the eastern Mediterranean, Spain and eastern Europe. The book examines the Order's role in crusades and wars against non-Christians, as well as its economic activities and relations with patrons and rulers throughout Europe. It also considers the Order's hospitaller work and religious life, providing a comprehensive understanding of the medieval period down to the loss of Rhodes in 1522. The study then extends to the history of the Order on Malta from the sixteenth to the end of the eighteenth century, and its continued presence up to the present day. This detailed account offers a nuanced perspective on the Knights Hospitaller's complex history, making it an invaluable resource for academics and those interested in European history during the medieval period.