Knights Hospitaller Secrets, Myths, and the True History
Sep 1, 2026 · 1h 6m
Summary
This episode traces the Knights Hospitaller’s evolution from a 11th-century charitable hospital in Jerusalem to a formidable military order. It details their rise, the loss of the Holy Land, and their relocation to Rhodes and later Malta. The narrative highlights their dual role as healers and warriors, culminating in the brutal 1565 Great Siege of Malta against the Ottoman Empire.
Topics discussed
Introduction: The Siege of Malta and the Knights Hospitaller
Origins: From Charitable Hospice to Papal Order
Transformation: Becoming a Military Order
Crusader Era: Fortresses, Battles, and the Fall of Jerusalem
Displacement: Retreat from the Holy Land to Cyprus
Knights of Rhodes: Naval Power and Ottoman Sieges
The Great Siege of Malta (1565)
Malta Era: Naval Warfare and Decline
Napoleon, Exile, and Modern Humanitarian Mission
Listen ad-free on Castria