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
All footage used in this montage is for educational purposes. It remains the property of its respective creators, and is gratefully acknowledged in the end credits of the full length video. Copyright Disclaimer- under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favour of fair use. Please contact us on [e-mail] if you have any concerns about its use.
This video is a re-rendering of the original version found on the Triarius Project channel, with lower background music, for easier listening.
For an audio-narration only version of this video, Please visit the Heroes and Legends Documentary Channel Podcast, through Spotify and other leading broadcasters.
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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[@profxtreme9275]

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.

[@Its_Shaun_the_Sheep]

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.

[@justadildeau]

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]

I can smell a potential video! If you care to share their story! Thanks so much for contributing!

[@davidwhite4874]

Dildeau, a proud name of those times, along with Cochwringe and Bhutplugge. May their names echo down the ages!

[@billgardyne7328]

A fascinating story, beautifully told. Thank Allan.

[@heroesandlegends]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for supporting my work!

[@veronicaroach3667]

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]

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]

" Islamic ambitions". It's going on today in an even grander scale.

[@rng_jack1896]

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?

[@Nobody92421]

Astounding! Thanks for posting.

[@heroesandlegends]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@TrainLordJC]

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]

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!

[@jeremytillman3567]

The knights who held st . Elmo for a month , is nothing short of a miracle . Straight warriors.

[@johnnyx9892]

Today "bravery" is a dude who proclaims himself a woman, and wears a dress and makeup on Facebook.

[@victorpulis5113]

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]

such a state in today's time @@johnnyx9892

[@philipplace9990]

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.

[@mcmxli-by1tj]

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]

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.

[@chrisrosenkreuz23]

wow, this was way better than I expected, and I had high expectations. thanks for the great content!

[@heroesandlegends]

Glad you liked it! I hope my future work wont disappoint either.

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

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]

the Red tower (St. Aghata tower) in Mellieħa was not built by de Valette. it was built between 1647 and 1649 under GM Lascaris.

[@garyhaynes6469]

Great documentary. Many thanks.

[@heroesandlegends]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@charlesyarwood6146]

Truly excellent. Thank you - much appreciated and enjoyed.

[@marthastacey7752]

I loved this presentation. Thank you very much!

[@heroesandlegends]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@Amc933]

Excellent

[@davereid-daly2205]

By far the most compelling account on the history of the Knights of Malta....

[@TheStobb50]

What a brilliant and well put together video thank you

[@brianswelding]

Great video, thank you! And what an amazing story, wow. Would make a great movie or series.

[@joannefarrugia429]

I totally agree it would be an epic story

[@ianh2674]

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]

Malta is such an incredible place! Thanks for watching!

[@johnnyx9892]

I can only imagine the history that was "lost".

[@bh4885]

Fantastic. Thank you for making this

[@wugy07]

Excellent storytelling. Gave me goosebumps!

[@heroesandlegends]

Wow, thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for supporting my channel

[@williambunbury]

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]

Glad it was helpful! You'll love Malta- don't neglect to visit some of the Palaeolithic sites as well - they're incredible too!

[@zacharymullins2854]

That was great. Unbelievably entertaining and history everyone should know. Thank you. I now subscribe to your channel.

[@truthbtold2910]

WOW Alan! Well done and great detail.

[@chrisbricky7331]

Great work and thanks for sharing. It was a pleasure to watch. Chris

[@heroesandlegends]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for supporting my channel

[@calvingrondahl1011]

An amazing story, I had not heard these details before, thank you, H&L.

[@heroesandlegends]

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]

Man with armour have no balls Malta knights are Satan worship

[@dh8822]

@@user-tr2yg3jw5l Deus vult

[@lulatisatisa7252]

Yes. Warriors. They protected Europe. We still do. Lady Tisa

[@fourthaeon9418]

So glad to have found your channel and this video man. algorithm really went all out.

[@heroesandlegends]

Thanks for appreciating my content and for taking the time to leave a comment - it all helps!

[@ianhigginbotham5385]

Great video 👍I’m really enjoying this channel. keep up the hard work

[@heroesandlegends]

Thanks so much! It's great encouragement to keep going!

[@andrewbrignole7131]

Thank you for this amazing video! I have recommended the channel to many people. - Please keep producing more videos -

[@heroesandlegends]

Thanks for your generous comment!

[@alistairemmaushastings6426]

I really enjoyed this; very informative 👍👍

[@carrickrichards2457]

Very thorough and interesting. Thank you

[@nerinat8371]

So glad to come across your channel, fabulous history lesson. Thankyou

[@heroesandlegends]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@JimiHendrix998]

Excellent. Many thanks for this.

[@heroesandlegends]

Thanks so much for your generous comment!

[@mattrishton]

Great vid Allan; Thanks so much!

[@heroesandlegends]

Thanks for watching!

[@SeanLTobin-qr8bm]

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]

Need an Aussie to do it right! Thanks so much for taking the time to view my work! I appreciate your kind feedback!

[@Aussieboiboi]

@@heroesandlegends yeah you called me?

[@Its_Shaun_the_Sheep]

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]

Yes I am a knight pure

[@karenveseli6706]

Pure soldier fighters for first world war and second only knights will fight for there country

[@pattywolford]

Excellent. Thank you. New subscribed.

[@ronmifsud6946]

Very well researched , documented, and presented..Thank you

[@heroesandlegends]

Thanks for your generous comments! I appreciate your support of my channel

[@joannefarrugia429]

Should be made into a movie or tv series ,it would be an epic

[@johnnyrichard48]

Excellent story and presentation. Well done.

[@dennisspors7530]

Very well presented

[@patriciaramsey5294]

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]

Thank you very much! Just sharing stories I think are worth telling. Thanks for your support!

[@ChuckDebWood]

Excellent! Thank you

[@barbararey4337]

I subscribed after watching this excellent video. Thank you very much.

[@heroesandlegends]

Thanks for the sub! Welcome aboard!

[@beagle8boy]

Superb!

[@EUROWEFILMS]

A very lovely presentation, factual & entertaining, having visited Malta several times your factual research has given it a new meaning.

[@heroesandlegends]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching.

[@EUROWEFILMS]

@@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..

[@NickyThissen]

A job well done.. Thank you

[@johnsturgeon9995]

This was excellent. Thank you.

[@heroesandlegends]

You're very welcome! I appreciate your generous comment!

[@billthebold]

Fantastic!

[@flaviopitanga65]

I will be in Malta next week and pay homage to this beautiful country ❤

[@heroesandlegends]

You'll love it! Thanks for watching!

[@JimKJeffries]

This wonderful work renews afresh my desires to travel & meet new & different peoples. Thanks for sharing history.

[@heroesandlegends]

Thanks for those generous words! It makes all the hard work worthwhile!

[@whowhy9023]

Great history lesson, thank you.

[@Its_Shaun_the_Sheep]

This is giving me goose bumps!

[@jetdude787]

Excellent documentary, thank you

[@9killedu9shalldie]

Very well done, informative, objective and enthralling.

[@heroesandlegends]

Thanks, it means a lot to read that!

[@xoxoevi.805]

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]

Thanks for sharing! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@robinhood3926]

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]

An amazing country indeed! Thanks for watching my humble tribute

[@robinhood3926]

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 .

[@heroesandlegends]

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]

@@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]

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]

Good man.

[@johnnyx9892]

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.

[@lauriewatkins8522]

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]

Thanks so much for your support of my channel!

[@dh8822]

Absolutely outstanding 👍🏼

[@heroesandlegends]

Thank you so much 😀

[@marinapegrisch1305]

Very well narrated and paced !!

[@heroesandlegends]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@connornielsen6790]

Dude this the coolest history story ever, other than like the 300 Spartans. HOW IS THERE NOT A MOVIE ABOUT THIS!!!!

[@heroesandlegends]

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!

[@georgesciriha7497]

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]

thank you!

[@victorpulis5113]

that suit armour shown in the video (52:35) did not belong to de Valette but to GM Alof de Wignacourt.

[@blsfan1973]

Good stuff bro

[@alexeisavrasov888]

great, excellent! thx

[@heroesandlegends]

You're welcome!

[@MrBrownnn696]

Great video....

[@GrislyAtoms12]

These knights are inspiring! Great video.

[@heroesandlegends]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@hemiwarrior6226]

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]

Thanks! I appreciate your support!

[@zenmeditationinternational2023]

Fascinating documentry.

[@petercopley1242]

Brilliant documentary really enjoyed. 👍

[@heroesandlegends]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks so much for watching!

[@manuelborg7639]

great documentary about our beloved country. small island, big balls. thank you🇲🇹

[@heroesandlegends]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@larryhand7219]

Story well told. Thank you

[@heroesandlegends]

Glad you enjoyed it - thanks for supporting my channel!

[@darylsprake8617]

Brilliant

[@MackerelCat]

Wow what a story!!

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you

[@l.r.quimson]

excellent

[@WilmerCook]

Wonderful story! Thanks! Now I have to have a copy of the black bird.

[@heroesandlegends]

You can buy them in Valletta- they're delicious

[@Its_Shaun_the_Sheep]

Great work!

[@heroesandlegends]

Thanks!

[@ChathamJackTar]

Well done!

[@eleveneleven572]

A book worth getting is the Wordsworth Military History book on the Siege of Malta

[@christopherjcarson]

Must chase it up! Thanks for the recommendation.

[@lulatisatisa7252]

Blessings and peace to all . I am the oldest of the bloodline. Stand your ground. Amen

[@michael1621]

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]

Thanks so much for your generous praise! Good luck in your ongoing humanitarian work!

[@lulatisatisa7252]

Yes MICHEAL. But my family needs help.

[@malsm8892]

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]

To finish the Order of Knight's Hospitaler of St John of Jerusalem.

[@margarettaft7362]

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

[@Its_Shaun_the_Sheep]

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.

[@jason-iv5lb]

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.

[@mohammedamayri2237]

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]

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.

[@MrCrystalwarrior1]

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]

"Sword and Scimitar" by Raymond Ibrahim a worthy read.👌

[@georgedoherty962]

Great story, thank you

[@heroesandlegends]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for your kind comments!

[@mishantonia]

Marvellous!

[@heroesandlegends]

Thanks so much!

[@rkkotilley358]

ver vera nice

[@philh2453]

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]

That's awesome, thanks for sharing!

[@karenturcola4524]

Very interesting.

[@heroesandlegends]

Thanks for watching!

[@victorpulis5113]

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.

[@PabloLFCX]

Greatest film never made.

[@victorpulis5113]

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]

Please feel free to share the link to your novel, and thanks for sharing your story!

[@victorpulis5113]

unfortunately I have no link to my graphic novel. @@heroesandlegends

[@lulatisatisa7252]

Hospital order of Knights of Malta protected under the treaty Queen Victoria signed English protection.

[@lulatisatisa7252]

Countess Tula V. Tisa

[@lulatisatisa7252]

My families home was taken while men fought to protect Europe. I still need a home.

[@michaelrzepka7522]

Well done

[@heroesandlegends]

Thanks so much for your kind words!

[@lawrencek1900]

39:48 note the newspaper mistakenly call Malta the 'V.C. Island' should be G.C.