The Publisher has copy-edited this book to improve the formatting, style and accuracy of the text to make it readable. This did not involve changing the substance of the text.

Published in London in 1905.

Excerpts:

.......The rule of the Knights of St. John is such an essential part of the history of the island, had such an effect upon its fortunes, and left such vast and abiding memorials of its two and a half centuries of existence, that it is necessary to give a brief sketch of the previous history of the renowned fraternity, to be known henceforth as Knights of Malta.
........Before the first Crusade certain merchants of Amalfi established in the Holy City of Jerusalem a hospital or lodging for the reception of pilgrims, dedicated to St. John, either the Almoner (a Greek Bishop) or, as in later years they contended, the Precursor—John the Baptist. When the fierce Turcoman horde overpowered the milder rule of the Caliphs, Gerard, Rector of the Hospital, co-operated with Peter the Hermit in originating the Crusade, and Gerard's successor, Raymond de Puy, remodeled the Society upon a military basis, similar to that which had already given the Order of Templars so prominent a rank in the warlike concerns of Christendom. In 1187, after having gained an honorable place in the history of the struggles to maintain the Christian kingdom of Jerusalem, the Hospitallers were driven from their original abode, the ruins of which, in the Muristân at Jerusalem, have been excavated in later years by the Germans, and many interesting relics of the old buildings brought to light. The Hospitallers then settled down at S. Jean d'Acre, whence a century later they were again expelled, after a fierce contest, by the Moslems. Retiring to Cyprus, their Grand Master John de Villiers adopted for them a fresh career, and they secured and held with more or less success during several centuries the naval supremacy of the Mediterranean. One of their earliest and greatest exploits was the capture of Rhodes in 1310, whither they removed their headquarters, and received a considerable accession of resources from the suppression of the rival Order of Knights Templars, much of whose forfeited property was granted to them. Here, as the Order began to attract recruits from different countries, commenced the system of langues, of which there were at first six—English, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, French and German. Later this arrangement was changed, and three French langues were formed, namely, France, Auvergne and Provence. To Spain, or Aragon, one of Castile was subsequently added, absorbing Portugal, and with Italy, England, and Germany, making seven. In 1476 the office of Grand Master was filled by the election of Peter d'Aubusson, a soldier who had gained high distinction in the wars of Charles VII. against the English in France, but who had not long to wait in his new capacity for an opportunity of gaining still higher distinction as a successful commander, by defending the city of Rhodes against the whole power of the Ottoman Porte, wielded at that period by the fortunate and talented Mahomet II.