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Great Siege: Malta 1565
In 1565 the Ottoman Empire was at its peak. Under their sultan, Solyman the Magnificent, the Turks had conquered most of Eastern Europe. The rulers of Christian Europe were at their wits' end to stem the tide of disaster. The Knights of St John, the fighting religious order drawn from most of the nations of Christendom had been driven from their island fortress of Rhodes 40 years earlier. From their new base of Malta their galleys had been so successful in their raids on Turkish shipping that the Sultan realised that only they stood between him and total mastery of the Mediterranean. He determined to obliterate the Knights of Malta. This reconstruction of the Siege of Malta brings history alive, and carries the reader through many battles, the heroism and the hunger to the relief which came, nearly too late, and the final victory.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1961
About the author
Ernle Bradford
108 books84 followersErnle Dusgate Selby Bradford was a noted British historian specializing in the Mediterranean world and naval topics. Bradford was an enthusiastic sailor himself and spent almost thirty years sailing the Mediterranean, where many of his books are set. He served in the Royal Navy during World War II, finishing as the first Lieutenant of a destroyer. He did occasional broadcast work for the BBC, was a magazine editor, and wrote many books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 285 reviews
August 19, 2024
This has been a clearly biased* but super captivating and exciting read that drew me in from the start and resonated with me very strongly.
A handful of seemingly doomed defenders in a stronghold against the overwhelming odds of a huge Ottoman Army (and Navy) in the 16th century - all Hungarians relate to that very strongly. Similis simili gaudet - like calls to like.
My unashamedly biased rating is 5 unforgettable, seductive, grandstanding stars.
My more objective one is 3,5-4 stars: the descriptions are almost picturesque and vivid, it was like listening to a dramatised documentary of the Siege, the military and political players were placed on the board, everyone at their places and the military tactics and strategy were presented in a way that was clear to follow for me, with no expertise or very extensive knowledge of the topic whatsoever. It was all informative and emotional.
I found the historical background wanting and a bit one-sided. The grandstanding was a bit too much and the author's "crush" on Jean de la Valette, 49th Grand Master of the Knights Hospitallers (or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem), while justified, was too strong.
Bradford presented this highly idealised picture of the Order where all the different longues of the knights lived in peace and harmony among themselves and were "neutral", above the nationalism and politics of their countries of origin (Hardly! In theory, of course this should have been the case, but the practice was very different), the only fly in their holy ointment being the fact that Henry VIII had dissolved the English longue b/c of his break with the Catholic Church.
Bradford hardly mentioned any of the Order's shortcomings, namely bad and corrupt management before Valette was elected Grand Master, especially by Juan de Homedes, who was Grand Master during the 1551 siege of Gozo where the Order left the population to its fate and have not lifted a finger to try and save them from death or slavery and who (meaning Homedes) also put the blame on the loss of Tripoli onto others.
He also glossed over the fact that 16th century Christianity was every bit as cruel and forbidding as Islam (and much less tolerant of other religions), if not more so. The different institutions of Inquisition of the Catholic Church were not infamous for nothing. Combine it with warfare ... and there you go.
Narrator Simon Vance was just great. It was a free listen, included in the Audible Plus catalogue.
-----------------------
*In fairness to the author, I don't think it was his intention or that he was aware of it. My impression was that in his own way, he tried to present the Ottoman side objectively, acknowledging merits where and whenever it was due, but not quite succeeding.
A handful of seemingly doomed defenders in a stronghold against the overwhelming odds of a huge Ottoman Army (and Navy) in the 16th century - all Hungarians relate to that very strongly. Similis simili gaudet - like calls to like.
My unashamedly biased rating is 5 unforgettable, seductive, grandstanding stars.
My more objective one is 3,5-4 stars: the descriptions are almost picturesque and vivid, it was like listening to a dramatised documentary of the Siege, the military and political players were placed on the board, everyone at their places and the military tactics and strategy were presented in a way that was clear to follow for me, with no expertise or very extensive knowledge of the topic whatsoever. It was all informative and emotional.
I found the historical background wanting and a bit one-sided. The grandstanding was a bit too much and the author's "crush" on Jean de la Valette, 49th Grand Master of the Knights Hospitallers (or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem), while justified, was too strong.
Bradford presented this highly idealised picture of the Order where all the different longues of the knights lived in peace and harmony among themselves and were "neutral", above the nationalism and politics of their countries of origin (Hardly! In theory, of course this should have been the case, but the practice was very different), the only fly in their holy ointment being the fact that Henry VIII had dissolved the English longue b/c of his break with the Catholic Church.
Bradford hardly mentioned any of the Order's shortcomings, namely bad and corrupt management before Valette was elected Grand Master, especially by Juan de Homedes, who was Grand Master during the 1551 siege of Gozo where the Order left the population to its fate and have not lifted a finger to try and save them from death or slavery and who (meaning Homedes) also put the blame on the loss of Tripoli onto others.
He also glossed over the fact that 16th century Christianity was every bit as cruel and forbidding as Islam (and much less tolerant of other religions), if not more so. The different institutions of Inquisition of the Catholic Church were not infamous for nothing. Combine it with warfare ... and there you go.
Narrator Simon Vance was just great. It was a free listen, included in the Audible Plus catalogue.
-----------------------
*In fairness to the author, I don't think it was his intention or that he was aware of it. My impression was that in his own way, he tried to present the Ottoman side objectively, acknowledging merits where and whenever it was due, but not quite succeeding.
February 7, 2017
Now that was a hell of a siege!
I picked up The Great Siege: Malta 1565 by Ernle Bradford without knowing much about Malta and nothing about the siege of 1565. The book isn't too long and I figured it would be a nice diversion. It proved to be WAY more than that!
The Ottoman Empire tried to invade the island of Malta, then held by the Knights Hospitaller, as a means to set up a base for their fleet in order to make further attacks upon western Europe. The Knights and their stalwart allies the native Maltese were outnumbered three to one (more by some estimates) by a seemingly invincible Turkish force.
The blood, guts and gore, not to mention the utter desperation of it all, is captured so very well by Bradford. This is a legitimate nail-biter! Bradford teases out the tension without dragging out the action, and what action! His descriptions of the battles are excellent. His character sketches put you in the shoes of those making the fateful decisions and those carrying out the orders of an epic battle fought in a past distant and hazy enough to make accurate portrayals quite difficult.
If I recommended this any more I'm afraid I'd pull a muscle!
I picked up The Great Siege: Malta 1565 by Ernle Bradford without knowing much about Malta and nothing about the siege of 1565. The book isn't too long and I figured it would be a nice diversion. It proved to be WAY more than that!
The Ottoman Empire tried to invade the island of Malta, then held by the Knights Hospitaller, as a means to set up a base for their fleet in order to make further attacks upon western Europe. The Knights and their stalwart allies the native Maltese were outnumbered three to one (more by some estimates) by a seemingly invincible Turkish force.
The blood, guts and gore, not to mention the utter desperation of it all, is captured so very well by Bradford. This is a legitimate nail-biter! Bradford teases out the tension without dragging out the action, and what action! His descriptions of the battles are excellent. His character sketches put you in the shoes of those making the fateful decisions and those carrying out the orders of an epic battle fought in a past distant and hazy enough to make accurate portrayals quite difficult.
If I recommended this any more I'm afraid I'd pull a muscle!
April 8, 2023
I'm always happy when I find a great book of history that is a total revelation to me. I'm American and an Anglophile and have a tendency to gravitate towards US and British history. I might have known about the Knights of Malta and the defense of their island if it had anything to do with England. But Henry VIII put an end to that. For centuries most major European powers contributed money and soldiers to the Knights of Malta, or Knights Hospitaller, as protection from the Muslim Ottoman Empire. King Henry decided he was far enough away from the Mediterranean Sea that he wouldn't be bothered by the Turks and stopped sending knights and money. Once the English dropped out, the Hospitallers consisted of Spanish, Italian, French, and German knights. Sort of a 16th century NATO.
Luckily for Europe the Knights of Malta were able to deflect the 1565 Turkish invasion of Suleiman the Magnificent. Suleiman wanted to conquer Europe. He got really close to Vienna, Austria some years before. Per the defense of Malta, the author writes:
"The heroic defense had aroused the admiration of all Europe. Even the great Protestant Queen, Elizabeth I of England, ...was moved by this siege. It recalled the great days of medieval chivalry. Queen Elizabeth was too astute a ruler not to be aware of what might happen if the island [Malta] was conquered. 'If the Turks,' she wrote, 'should prevail against the Isle of Malta, it is uncertain what further peril might follow to the rest of Christendom.' "
She was more perceptive than her father.
The intricacies of the battles were easy to follow due to the talent of this author. Both sides committed atrocities. At one point, as retaliation for something the Turks did, the Hospitallers cut off the heads of their prisoners and shot them out of cannons back at them. Bloody stuff. The siege engines were very interesting - some of them invented right on the spot. Both sides used the weapons of previous Crusader battles - swords, axes, and scimitars - plus a fairly new invention, the musket. The musketeers still used the old type weapons in close battle.
I really lost myself in this book. Bravo to the author for bringing this piece of history to life for me.
Luckily for Europe the Knights of Malta were able to deflect the 1565 Turkish invasion of Suleiman the Magnificent. Suleiman wanted to conquer Europe. He got really close to Vienna, Austria some years before. Per the defense of Malta, the author writes:
"The heroic defense had aroused the admiration of all Europe. Even the great Protestant Queen, Elizabeth I of England, ...was moved by this siege. It recalled the great days of medieval chivalry. Queen Elizabeth was too astute a ruler not to be aware of what might happen if the island [Malta] was conquered. 'If the Turks,' she wrote, 'should prevail against the Isle of Malta, it is uncertain what further peril might follow to the rest of Christendom.' "
She was more perceptive than her father.
The intricacies of the battles were easy to follow due to the talent of this author. Both sides committed atrocities. At one point, as retaliation for something the Turks did, the Hospitallers cut off the heads of their prisoners and shot them out of cannons back at them. Bloody stuff. The siege engines were very interesting - some of them invented right on the spot. Both sides used the weapons of previous Crusader battles - swords, axes, and scimitars - plus a fairly new invention, the musket. The musketeers still used the old type weapons in close battle.
I really lost myself in this book. Bravo to the author for bringing this piece of history to life for me.
June 16, 2016
Well-told story, but pretty terrible as history. This book is the story of the Great Siege of Malta by the armies of the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, as told from the perspective of the Knights. Maybe it's that I just re-read Edward Said's Orientalism, but boy this book was super ethnocentric, almost lazily so.
The narrative is replete with descriptions of the "savage attacks of the Moslem corsairs", how the Muslim commanders would "sacrifice thousands upon thousands of men with a callous indifference" in order to win a battle, which the author describes as characteristic of "the bloodstained history of their Empire", and constant descriptions of the religious zealotry of the Ottoman forces.
Contrast that with descriptions of the European knights who defended Malta, especially their leader Jean de la Valette: "This was a man imbued with all the ancient virtues of courage and self-sacrifice, together with the sure and absolute certainty of his faith"--no zealotry here; instead certain faith is a virtue when it's our faith, the "our" being understood. On the crusaders' side, the sacrifice of one's soldiers is characterized as requiring "a higher courage to send your comrades to die than to die yourself."
Back to a depiction of the Arab troops: "The pupils of their eyes were like needles, their salivated lips held only the one word, "Allah!"
When, in an act of revenge, the author's man-crush la Valette orders all the Turkish prisoners to be beheaded, and their heads to be shot at the enemy lines from the crusader's cannons, the act isn't described (as it justly could be) as bestial, callous, bloodstained or any of the other words used to describe the Muslims; instead, he writes that it was "unworthy [of] a Christian soldier". But perfectly understandable from a dirty heathen?
In other words, it's not really hard to detect the cultural and religious bias here. The Muslims are savages, the Knights proud, stern defenders of culture and true religion. I'm not overselling this--even the native Maltese people, who were themselves Christians of a much older vintage than the French and English knights, come in for caricatured treatment as "the dark, short, barrel-chested men of Malta." I can practically see their beetling brows, loincloths and pygmy spears.
The thing is, it doesn't need to be that way. The author basically abandons any pretext at a historical voice and opts instead for the Swashbuckling Adventures of Captain Crucifix!, but it's perfectly possible to tell a gripping story about a historical event, even a battle, while retaining the humanity of the people on both sides. Unfortunately, he doesn't even seem to have really tried. It gets more than one star because it does contain a lot of interesting information that I wouldn't have known otherwise, and it did enrich my experience of being in Malta quite considerably, but I couldn't in good conscience recommend it to a friend without providing a strong warning about the explicit anti-Muslim, pro-Western bias of the book.
The narrative is replete with descriptions of the "savage attacks of the Moslem corsairs", how the Muslim commanders would "sacrifice thousands upon thousands of men with a callous indifference" in order to win a battle, which the author describes as characteristic of "the bloodstained history of their Empire", and constant descriptions of the religious zealotry of the Ottoman forces.
Contrast that with descriptions of the European knights who defended Malta, especially their leader Jean de la Valette: "This was a man imbued with all the ancient virtues of courage and self-sacrifice, together with the sure and absolute certainty of his faith"--no zealotry here; instead certain faith is a virtue when it's our faith, the "our" being understood. On the crusaders' side, the sacrifice of one's soldiers is characterized as requiring "a higher courage to send your comrades to die than to die yourself."
Back to a depiction of the Arab troops: "The pupils of their eyes were like needles, their salivated lips held only the one word, "Allah!"
When, in an act of revenge, the author's man-crush la Valette orders all the Turkish prisoners to be beheaded, and their heads to be shot at the enemy lines from the crusader's cannons, the act isn't described (as it justly could be) as bestial, callous, bloodstained or any of the other words used to describe the Muslims; instead, he writes that it was "unworthy [of] a Christian soldier". But perfectly understandable from a dirty heathen?
In other words, it's not really hard to detect the cultural and religious bias here. The Muslims are savages, the Knights proud, stern defenders of culture and true religion. I'm not overselling this--even the native Maltese people, who were themselves Christians of a much older vintage than the French and English knights, come in for caricatured treatment as "the dark, short, barrel-chested men of Malta." I can practically see their beetling brows, loincloths and pygmy spears.
The thing is, it doesn't need to be that way. The author basically abandons any pretext at a historical voice and opts instead for the Swashbuckling Adventures of Captain Crucifix!, but it's perfectly possible to tell a gripping story about a historical event, even a battle, while retaining the humanity of the people on both sides. Unfortunately, he doesn't even seem to have really tried. It gets more than one star because it does contain a lot of interesting information that I wouldn't have known otherwise, and it did enrich my experience of being in Malta quite considerably, but I couldn't in good conscience recommend it to a friend without providing a strong warning about the explicit anti-Muslim, pro-Western bias of the book.
January 8, 2017
I always get excited over any sea battle that utilizes wild fire!
An absolute massacre how can any victor truly be proclaimed? The Knights of St. John against the Turks LETS GET READY TO RUMBLE!!!
Probably the bloodiest religious battle of the ages consisting of some serious siege craft.
An absolute massacre how can any victor truly be proclaimed? The Knights of St. John against the Turks LETS GET READY TO RUMBLE!!!
Probably the bloodiest religious battle of the ages consisting of some serious siege craft.
November 6, 2014
Glorious bloody Renaissance warfare at it's best!!
This non fiction book flowed like a story and was incredibly entertaining for me. The battles scenes were brutally descriptive and the author painted a really great description of the key players on both sides.
Highly recommended for any fan of history and/or military stories.
This non fiction book flowed like a story and was incredibly entertaining for me. The battles scenes were brutally descriptive and the author painted a really great description of the key players on both sides.
Highly recommended for any fan of history and/or military stories.
December 19, 2020
The Great Siege: Malta 1565 , Ernle has an easy style of telling a story, it captures your imagination and places you right there in the siege. With all the bloodshed and all the goriness happening all around you it made me feel as though I were a knight of Saint John with head full of religious zeal slashing and stabbing with my weapons, then a brave stout Maltese swimmer with daggers between my teeth to slay brutally savagely & silently in the darkness, or a stone faced stoic Janisserie the Muslim committed slave soldiers heading uncomplaining & dutifully to certain death by fire. Ernle lived and walked Malta to immerse himself as much as possible in the atmosphere.
In short just frick. It has it all wild fire, flying severed heads, no mercy warfare at its worst. Gripping compelling story, one hell of a bloody war story, I had heard of this siege reading brief histories, but I only knew the basics, about the knights of saint John who held out against the Turks. Now I know a little bit more If your a student of history then this is for you. Definitely can see how wild fire and ships being used by, you know who.
In short just frick. It has it all wild fire, flying severed heads, no mercy warfare at its worst. Gripping compelling story, one hell of a bloody war story, I had heard of this siege reading brief histories, but I only knew the basics, about the knights of saint John who held out against the Turks. Now I know a little bit more If your a student of history then this is for you. Definitely can see how wild fire and ships being used by, you know who.
November 29, 2014
Ernle Bradford's book on the Turkish siege of Malta in 1565 is not a detailed scholarly study of the subject, though the subject could use one. However, it is a fairly thorough look at the subject from the Hospitallar's viewpoint. There is some examination of the Turkish and Spanish activities and reasoning, but this is a more minor part of the book, which is focused on the siege itself. There is also a little about the native Maltese, but Bradford points out that their activities mostly only live in local legends.
Crowley's excellent Empires Of The Sea: The Final Battle For The Mediterranean, 1521-1580 uses this book as his main source for his section on the siege of Malta. In fact, reading most of this book felt very familiar, because Crowley had summarized it down so well. This is kind of disappointing, as I was hoping for a bit more. Still, if you want the story of one of the most hotly contested sieges in history, this is a very good book. Otherwise, I recommend Empires of the Sea, which is more vivid and wide-ranging in subject.
Crowley's excellent Empires Of The Sea: The Final Battle For The Mediterranean, 1521-1580 uses this book as his main source for his section on the siege of Malta. In fact, reading most of this book felt very familiar, because Crowley had summarized it down so well. This is kind of disappointing, as I was hoping for a bit more. Still, if you want the story of one of the most hotly contested sieges in history, this is a very good book. Otherwise, I recommend Empires of the Sea, which is more vivid and wide-ranging in subject.
September 21, 2021
Looking back through my Goodreads history I see that on December 2016 I finished Empires of the Sea: The Final Battle for the Mediterranean, 1521-1580 by Roger Crowley. This means that I’d probably completely forgotten everything in that book regarding The Siege of Malta so a refresher course was in order. Wow, this little book was so quick and so much fun to read.
It all started to come back to me once I started reading, but it was still a thrilling tale from start to finish. I need to backtrack and read about the Siege of Rhodes that sort of led up to this epic face-off between the Ottomans and Christian Europe.
This Ernle Bradford guy has a weird first name but he can write a compelling history. I plan to read everything he’s written.
My question is when is the movie going to come out? This seems like a total no-brainer for the no-brains in Hollywood, especially since many of the original fortresses and wall are still standing in Malta. Throw in a liberal does of CGI and you have a blockbuster on your hands.
It all started to come back to me once I started reading, but it was still a thrilling tale from start to finish. I need to backtrack and read about the Siege of Rhodes that sort of led up to this epic face-off between the Ottomans and Christian Europe.
This Ernle Bradford guy has a weird first name but he can write a compelling history. I plan to read everything he’s written.
My question is when is the movie going to come out? This seems like a total no-brainer for the no-brains in Hollywood, especially since many of the original fortresses and wall are still standing in Malta. Throw in a liberal does of CGI and you have a blockbuster on your hands.
February 3, 2017
A very satisfying account of the epic 1565 Ottoman attack on Malta.
Bradford traces out the story from Suleyman's decision to assault the island, focusing on the details of the battle. He has a good eye for character, focusing on individual leaders and combatants. He also has a good habit of detailing landscapes and battle sites as they change under violence.
Bradford is deeply biased towards the Knights of Malta and the Maltese people. This has the advantages of humanizing people often depicted as simply fierce, victimized, and/or faceless. We read of some fascinating details, like the medical advantage the knights had (208).
Unfortunately, this leads to too rosy a treatment of the knights. Their violence and barbarism becomes harder to glimpse and even harder to understand as The Great Siege thunders on. de Vallette's monument praises him as a pirate; that's not supported by most of the book.
Bradford doesn't offer as much detail and sympathy to the Turks. Their side appears as villainous, most of the time. His descriptions of Ottoman planning and guesses as to motivation are helpful, especially his targeting of the naval commander as the epicenter for mistakes.
Bradford is a very engaging writer. He infuses paragraphs with energy and tension. Some sentences are pleasing, like :
Bradford traces out the story from Suleyman's decision to assault the island, focusing on the details of the battle. He has a good eye for character, focusing on individual leaders and combatants. He also has a good habit of detailing landscapes and battle sites as they change under violence.
Bradford is deeply biased towards the Knights of Malta and the Maltese people. This has the advantages of humanizing people often depicted as simply fierce, victimized, and/or faceless. We read of some fascinating details, like the medical advantage the knights had (208).
Unfortunately, this leads to too rosy a treatment of the knights. Their violence and barbarism becomes harder to glimpse and even harder to understand as The Great Siege thunders on. de Vallette's monument praises him as a pirate; that's not supported by most of the book.
Bradford doesn't offer as much detail and sympathy to the Turks. Their side appears as villainous, most of the time. His descriptions of Ottoman planning and guesses as to motivation are helpful, especially his targeting of the naval commander as the epicenter for mistakes.
Bradford is a very engaging writer. He infuses paragraphs with energy and tension. Some sentences are pleasing, like :
While they buried their dead, they remembered that they who were left must still bear the ordinary guilts of life, while these had gone stainless into Paradise.(223)I read this during a return visit to Malta, which was, of course, the perfect setting.
April 24, 2013
Few history books grip the reader so well. It is fast-paced, and you keep abreast of one of the more important siege battles in history.
I first read this book in 1998, and could not put it down. I've now read it a second time, and it had the same effect. Could not put it down until it was finished. What else can you expect?
A group of Christian knights, plus about 8,000 Maltese against the might of the Ottoman Empire. And so determined were the Christians to halt the Islamic movement westward, the Grand Master of the knights was willing to burn his own boats as a sign, "we're not leaving."
Not only did they not leave, but time and time again, with inferior numbers and many wounded, determination and a belief that God had placed them there at this time for this purpose, the Christians sent the Turks running.
And when the Turks decapitated their Maltese and Christian prisoners and set the bodies adrift in the bay, Jean Parisot de la Valette, the Grand Master of the Order of the Knights of St. John, merely got his Turkish prisoners, cut their heads off and used them as cannon balls against the Turks. There was no love at all between implacable enemies.
This was a time when both Muslim and Christian thought it was his duty to send his opponent to hell. And in a war that seemed like hell on earth for the Christians, the Turks eventually set sail for home without obtaining their objective. That was to capture Malta to prevent the Knights interfering with their Mediterranean approach to Western Europe.
A gripping story of chivalry, honor, and determination to stand unequivocally against an established and ruthless enemy.
I first read this book in 1998, and could not put it down. I've now read it a second time, and it had the same effect. Could not put it down until it was finished. What else can you expect?
A group of Christian knights, plus about 8,000 Maltese against the might of the Ottoman Empire. And so determined were the Christians to halt the Islamic movement westward, the Grand Master of the knights was willing to burn his own boats as a sign, "we're not leaving."
Not only did they not leave, but time and time again, with inferior numbers and many wounded, determination and a belief that God had placed them there at this time for this purpose, the Christians sent the Turks running.
And when the Turks decapitated their Maltese and Christian prisoners and set the bodies adrift in the bay, Jean Parisot de la Valette, the Grand Master of the Order of the Knights of St. John, merely got his Turkish prisoners, cut their heads off and used them as cannon balls against the Turks. There was no love at all between implacable enemies.
This was a time when both Muslim and Christian thought it was his duty to send his opponent to hell. And in a war that seemed like hell on earth for the Christians, the Turks eventually set sail for home without obtaining their objective. That was to capture Malta to prevent the Knights interfering with their Mediterranean approach to Western Europe.
A gripping story of chivalry, honor, and determination to stand unequivocally against an established and ruthless enemy.
August 2, 2017
This is a short book retelling the little-known story of the Siege of Malta in 1565. The Ottoman Turks attacked Malta in the hopes of using it as a base from which to attack Sicily and then mainland Europe, the so-called "soft underbelly." Fortunately for Europe, The Knights of St. John had been given the island by the King of Spain to defend against such an attack. The story of the siege is one of the most remarkable and neglected stories in Christendom.
The Knights of St. John were a a group created to serve and defend pilgrims against the enemies of Christianity--namely Muslims. After their defeat on the island of Rhodes, they were given Malta and sought to defend it as they had defended Rhodes. This time they meant to be successful in their defense, however.
Unfortunately for the Knights, the Turks sent approximately 40,000 soldiers to besiege the less than 10,000 Christians. But Jean Parisot de Valette, the Grand Master of the Knights had been anticipating the siege for years. He was one of the most capable generals in military history and his brilliant defenses and strategies paved the way for the successful defense of the island.
But the accolades are not de Valette's alone. He was surrounded by an order dedicated to selfless sacrifice, courage, and the service of God. The knights bravely defended against the Turks as did the natives of Malta. Unlike most sieges, food was plentiful, as was water. In these regards, it was the aggressors that were disadvantaged by being unable to live off the land--in fact they were overrun with disease that worked to weaken the large army.
There are many great turns in the story where brilliant tactics, including deceit, were used to triumph over the Turks. The writing is excellent, and Bradford's knowledge of the terrain helps him describe the battle scenes and the nature of the Malta defenses.
This is an excellent recounting of what should be a better known event in the history of Christendom. Highly, highly recommended.
The Knights of St. John were a a group created to serve and defend pilgrims against the enemies of Christianity--namely Muslims. After their defeat on the island of Rhodes, they were given Malta and sought to defend it as they had defended Rhodes. This time they meant to be successful in their defense, however.
Unfortunately for the Knights, the Turks sent approximately 40,000 soldiers to besiege the less than 10,000 Christians. But Jean Parisot de Valette, the Grand Master of the Knights had been anticipating the siege for years. He was one of the most capable generals in military history and his brilliant defenses and strategies paved the way for the successful defense of the island.
But the accolades are not de Valette's alone. He was surrounded by an order dedicated to selfless sacrifice, courage, and the service of God. The knights bravely defended against the Turks as did the natives of Malta. Unlike most sieges, food was plentiful, as was water. In these regards, it was the aggressors that were disadvantaged by being unable to live off the land--in fact they were overrun with disease that worked to weaken the large army.
There are many great turns in the story where brilliant tactics, including deceit, were used to triumph over the Turks. The writing is excellent, and Bradford's knowledge of the terrain helps him describe the battle scenes and the nature of the Malta defenses.
This is an excellent recounting of what should be a better known event in the history of Christendom. Highly, highly recommended.
February 15, 2016
The author of this very engaging book spent over thirty years sailing around the Mediterranean, first as a Lieutenant of a destroyer during World War II and thereafter in a private capacity until his death in 1986. He subsequently came to know the Island of Malta intimately, living and sailing around every part of the small rocky archipelago and developing an affection for both the nation and its people that would eventually lead to the publication of this gripping and emotional account of the 1565 siege of Malta.
This is narrative history at its best; a fast-flowing depiction of the origins of the siege, through to the siege itself, and concluding with the aftermath and the implications for the wider Mediterranean and Europe. Filled with compelling first-hand accounts from the defenders as they struggled to defend their Island against overwhelming odds, while also portraying the aims and objectives of the Ottoman Turk invaders.
All in all, a very readable and highly enjoyable account of a seminal event in world history.
This is narrative history at its best; a fast-flowing depiction of the origins of the siege, through to the siege itself, and concluding with the aftermath and the implications for the wider Mediterranean and Europe. Filled with compelling first-hand accounts from the defenders as they struggled to defend their Island against overwhelming odds, while also portraying the aims and objectives of the Ottoman Turk invaders.
All in all, a very readable and highly enjoyable account of a seminal event in world history.
April 12, 2016
Tales of heroism are always stirring, more so when they are true. This is nonfiction, but you won't believe it, written by a non academic, which is even harder to believe.
It's an account of one of the truly great sieges.
What are the great sieges? Troy, Tyre facing Alexander, the zillion sieges of Syracuse, the Spartans both at Thermopylae and maybe later, taking it up the Sphacteria, and... Malta, 1565.
The Knights of St. John defending their tiny island against the fabulous forces of Sultan Soleyman the Magnificent at the height of the Ottoman empire. Stunning cunning, incredulous courage, pinpoint planning and counter confounding lead to a see-saw slug fest that's breathlessly eye popping and forever unforgettable.
It's an account of one of the truly great sieges.
What are the great sieges? Troy, Tyre facing Alexander, the zillion sieges of Syracuse, the Spartans both at Thermopylae and maybe later, taking it up the Sphacteria, and... Malta, 1565.
The Knights of St. John defending their tiny island against the fabulous forces of Sultan Soleyman the Magnificent at the height of the Ottoman empire. Stunning cunning, incredulous courage, pinpoint planning and counter confounding lead to a see-saw slug fest that's breathlessly eye popping and forever unforgettable.
July 14, 2017
10 JUL 2017 - a small treasure found whilst unpacking.
14 JULY 2017 - I read past my bed-time and during lunch at work. I loved this one!
14 JULY 2017 - I read past my bed-time and during lunch at work. I loved this one!
January 1, 2022
I've read multiple historical fiction books that are based on this siege, but I am pretty sure this is the first actual book of history on the event that I have picked up. As Dan Carlin says, "History is so much better than fiction."
By 1565, the Ottoman Empire had already passed its prime and was beginning its slow decline... but nobody in the world had realized that. It was still the most powerful nation with the greatest army in the world. Then Malta happened.
Four decades back the Turks stole Rhodes from the Hospitallers and that group had been without a home. In 1530, they were given a barren pair of islands south of Sicily known as Malta. The Knights of Saint John did their best to turn these islands into something defensible, but that project was far from complete before the Turks came knocking again. Suleiman "the Magnificent" wanted one more victory under his belt in his dotage. This would make up for his failure at Venice. It would also sweep one of his most hated foes off the board and set him up with a base of operations for further conquests in Sicily and Italy.
If only it were that easy. Ernle Bradford beautifully recounts here one of the greatest and most famous sieges in human history. Perhaps Sparta's 300 at Thermopylae is more famous but that was merely a delaying action and they eventually were overrun. In Malta, everyone expected the Hospitallers to be overrun in just a few days, but they held on. Then they held on some more. And they continued to hold on beyond what anyone would believe was humanely possible. Finally, the Ottoman generals packed their bags and left barely a half step before their own weary and disgruntled troops mutinied on them.
The siege of Malta is perhaps one of the most underappreciated pivot points in human history. I think everyone in our modern era should have a deeper understanding of what happened at this battle and Bradford's history is certainly an excellent place to start.
By 1565, the Ottoman Empire had already passed its prime and was beginning its slow decline... but nobody in the world had realized that. It was still the most powerful nation with the greatest army in the world. Then Malta happened.
Four decades back the Turks stole Rhodes from the Hospitallers and that group had been without a home. In 1530, they were given a barren pair of islands south of Sicily known as Malta. The Knights of Saint John did their best to turn these islands into something defensible, but that project was far from complete before the Turks came knocking again. Suleiman "the Magnificent" wanted one more victory under his belt in his dotage. This would make up for his failure at Venice. It would also sweep one of his most hated foes off the board and set him up with a base of operations for further conquests in Sicily and Italy.
If only it were that easy. Ernle Bradford beautifully recounts here one of the greatest and most famous sieges in human history. Perhaps Sparta's 300 at Thermopylae is more famous but that was merely a delaying action and they eventually were overrun. In Malta, everyone expected the Hospitallers to be overrun in just a few days, but they held on. Then they held on some more. And they continued to hold on beyond what anyone would believe was humanely possible. Finally, the Ottoman generals packed their bags and left barely a half step before their own weary and disgruntled troops mutinied on them.
The siege of Malta is perhaps one of the most underappreciated pivot points in human history. I think everyone in our modern era should have a deeper understanding of what happened at this battle and Bradford's history is certainly an excellent place to start.
June 17, 2017
Very exciting and visual narrative, and very easily read! I could totally imagine the entire siege in detail in my mind.
But this comes at a huge loss in accuracy. Now, I don't really know anything about the siege apart from what I read in this book, but it has such an obvious European bias that it can't possibly be very accurate. The Ottomans aren't really presented as evil, but rather as stupid, incompetent plotters. I was really interested in understanding how the defenders could possibly win against numerically so superior forces; but the answer the book gives is basically "because the Ottoman commanders were completely incompetent, and the Ottoman soldiers just suicidally stormed the walls and got killed". I mean, this could well be true, but the whole presentation leads me to think the picture is more complicated. For example, every time the Christians try some kind of military trick or deception, this succeeds (and infuriates the haughty Ottomans); while every time the Ottomans try something similar (and make an evil smile in anticipation of victory), the smart Christians notice and reverse the situation. Again, it is POSSIBLE that this is accurate, but I find it more likely to be an artifact of the author relying almost exclusively on European sources, rather than on Ottoman (which must surely exist), and rather uncritically.
In the end, this isn't supposed to be a 100% accurate scholarly work, but rather an engaging and easily read overview of the siege. It does this very well, and I suppose that was what I was looking for anyway. It is just a little annoying to read, as the viewpoint is so obviously slanted.
But this comes at a huge loss in accuracy. Now, I don't really know anything about the siege apart from what I read in this book, but it has such an obvious European bias that it can't possibly be very accurate. The Ottomans aren't really presented as evil, but rather as stupid, incompetent plotters. I was really interested in understanding how the defenders could possibly win against numerically so superior forces; but the answer the book gives is basically "because the Ottoman commanders were completely incompetent, and the Ottoman soldiers just suicidally stormed the walls and got killed". I mean, this could well be true, but the whole presentation leads me to think the picture is more complicated. For example, every time the Christians try some kind of military trick or deception, this succeeds (and infuriates the haughty Ottomans); while every time the Ottomans try something similar (and make an evil smile in anticipation of victory), the smart Christians notice and reverse the situation. Again, it is POSSIBLE that this is accurate, but I find it more likely to be an artifact of the author relying almost exclusively on European sources, rather than on Ottoman (which must surely exist), and rather uncritically.
In the end, this isn't supposed to be a 100% accurate scholarly work, but rather an engaging and easily read overview of the siege. It does this very well, and I suppose that was what I was looking for anyway. It is just a little annoying to read, as the viewpoint is so obviously slanted.
January 7, 2019
Having grown up in Malta, I am no stranger to the great deeds done by the knights of St. John - before, during, and after the great siege of 1565. As one might expect the great siege is taught in history classes in schools here; albeit not in such great detail as delivered by Bradford. As Voltaire puts it "Nothing is better known than the siege of Malta.". Balbi, one of the Order's historians, took great care to describe even the smallest of fights and speeches, and no deed went unrecorded.
Being Maltese I cannot deny the fact that I felt an immense sense of pride as the story developed. In the past, friends of mine stated that we as Maltese did nothing worth noting through out this siege; we only followed orders. I couldn't disagree more after going through Bradford's work in this book. It shows the tremendous amount of resilience with equal amounts of courage and resoluteness exerted by the lesser amounts of defenders both Knight and Maltese. Balbi even takes time to note the Maltese people's acts of courage and unwavering loyalty to the grand master and his order but most importantly their faith. (He also mentions that we're a staunch, short-legged, barrel-chested race, which in my opinion is pretty darn accurate! :))
On my return to Malta: next year, I will make sure to visit all the fortifications, churches and places mentioned in this book. I am sure that I will be looking at them through a very different lens, driving me to appreciate my country more and the hurdles it has been through.
Being Maltese I cannot deny the fact that I felt an immense sense of pride as the story developed. In the past, friends of mine stated that we as Maltese did nothing worth noting through out this siege; we only followed orders. I couldn't disagree more after going through Bradford's work in this book. It shows the tremendous amount of resilience with equal amounts of courage and resoluteness exerted by the lesser amounts of defenders both Knight and Maltese. Balbi even takes time to note the Maltese people's acts of courage and unwavering loyalty to the grand master and his order but most importantly their faith. (He also mentions that we're a staunch, short-legged, barrel-chested race, which in my opinion is pretty darn accurate! :))
On my return to Malta: next year, I will make sure to visit all the fortifications, churches and places mentioned in this book. I am sure that I will be looking at them through a very different lens, driving me to appreciate my country more and the hurdles it has been through.
January 26, 2018
Good history of the dramatic attack on Malta in 1565. Each side has a larger-than-life leader to anchor the story. Short chapters make it easy to read a little at a time. Once the siege begins there's lots of action to keep the story moving quickly.
I would have rated the book a star higher but the writing style felt slightly dated to me. I would recommend this highly to fans of military history.
I would have rated the book a star higher but the writing style felt slightly dated to me. I would recommend this highly to fans of military history.
July 20, 2016
The Seige of Malta is probably the greatest war story you've never heard. It is definitely one the greatest, most important battles in European history. There's a lot of fascinating history in this book. Bradford has basically devoted his life to the subject, and I'm amazed at how much detailed history exists about this period. It would make a good movie.
Suleiman the Magnificent is elderly and the Ottoman Empire at its height-- having been stopped at Vienna but still recording victories in Eastern Europe and on the Mediterranean. Europe is struggling, the Reformation is changing it internally and several kingdoms are struggling financially.
Malta is the official property of the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. This Order is quite fascinating, having been established to build hospitals and provide medical services, the group evolved as pilgrims going to Palestine ("The Holy Land") became increasingly under attack by Muslims and pirates with ties to Muslims. The rites of passage and organization of the Order was fascinating to learn in itself-- people in the 21st Century just can't fathom the conditions of naval warfare, prisons, and slavery in the 1500s much less the ideas of chivalry and honor that bound clans together back then.
The Knights become very effective raiders, plundering many Ottoman ships and being a thorn in the Emperor's side-- so Suleiman scouts it out and makes a decision to take the island. Capturing it would give him a foothold to launch attacks into Sicily, Italy, and Spain-- something terrifying to the Europeans. The Emperor summons overwhelming force and his advisors estimate the island can be taken in mere days. The Best of the Best of Ottoman warriors are described by Bradford.
Grand Master de Vallette is the Knights' fearless leader and hero. Himself elderly, he is a veteran of warfare and Ottoman slavery. He organizes the defense of the island's force of 6,000 or so against 20-40,000 Ottoman warriors. The Ottoman forces make some initial, very costly, mistakes. The Knights defend the fort of St. Elmo to the last man, killing Ottomans at the rate of 7 to 1. The Turks' best and most revered leader, Turgut Reis, dies early in the fighting. Several other forts remain, and the Knights hold out while waiting for help from the rest of Europe.
Malta was sort of the Leningrad or the Alamo of its day, with wide implications. What was supposed to end in days stretches from May to late August, until finally a large relief force arrives from Sicily after the Ottomans' morale is broken and their ranks are decimated by battles and disease. The Ottomans retreat in disgrace and Suleiman dies the following year. It's the beginning of the long decline of the Ottoman empire.
The Order apparently kept detailed records, but Bradford seems to draw on Turkish/Ottoman sources well also. I enjoyed learning the Ottoman history as much as the European side, which is why I was eager to read this book. I give it 4.5 stars out of 5. Bradford seems to have a slight bias writing for the Knights, so that cost him half a star.
Suleiman the Magnificent is elderly and the Ottoman Empire at its height-- having been stopped at Vienna but still recording victories in Eastern Europe and on the Mediterranean. Europe is struggling, the Reformation is changing it internally and several kingdoms are struggling financially.
Malta is the official property of the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. This Order is quite fascinating, having been established to build hospitals and provide medical services, the group evolved as pilgrims going to Palestine ("The Holy Land") became increasingly under attack by Muslims and pirates with ties to Muslims. The rites of passage and organization of the Order was fascinating to learn in itself-- people in the 21st Century just can't fathom the conditions of naval warfare, prisons, and slavery in the 1500s much less the ideas of chivalry and honor that bound clans together back then.
The Knights become very effective raiders, plundering many Ottoman ships and being a thorn in the Emperor's side-- so Suleiman scouts it out and makes a decision to take the island. Capturing it would give him a foothold to launch attacks into Sicily, Italy, and Spain-- something terrifying to the Europeans. The Emperor summons overwhelming force and his advisors estimate the island can be taken in mere days. The Best of the Best of Ottoman warriors are described by Bradford.
Grand Master de Vallette is the Knights' fearless leader and hero. Himself elderly, he is a veteran of warfare and Ottoman slavery. He organizes the defense of the island's force of 6,000 or so against 20-40,000 Ottoman warriors. The Ottoman forces make some initial, very costly, mistakes. The Knights defend the fort of St. Elmo to the last man, killing Ottomans at the rate of 7 to 1. The Turks' best and most revered leader, Turgut Reis, dies early in the fighting. Several other forts remain, and the Knights hold out while waiting for help from the rest of Europe.
Malta was sort of the Leningrad or the Alamo of its day, with wide implications. What was supposed to end in days stretches from May to late August, until finally a large relief force arrives from Sicily after the Ottomans' morale is broken and their ranks are decimated by battles and disease. The Ottomans retreat in disgrace and Suleiman dies the following year. It's the beginning of the long decline of the Ottoman empire.
The Order apparently kept detailed records, but Bradford seems to draw on Turkish/Ottoman sources well also. I enjoyed learning the Ottoman history as much as the European side, which is why I was eager to read this book. I give it 4.5 stars out of 5. Bradford seems to have a slight bias writing for the Knights, so that cost him half a star.
June 20, 2017
Somewhere in faintest memory there was a siege of Malta. Reading this convinced me all over again how bereft the typical college major in history is of key information, lacking as mine did, any significant coverage of this the greatest siege and a turning point in stopping the Muslim invasion of Europe. Stopping the horde at Malta, Vienna, and Lepanto were what kept common law, our system, and our civilization alive.
The crusader Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, had been driven from Jerusalem, and then from Rhodes by the Muslims. Malta, the barren rocks nobody else really wanted, was their last refuge. There was nowhere else to go. But it was astride the East-West shipping channel in the Mediterranean. Therefore, the Ottoman Emperor Suleimon the Magnificent had to control it. Moreover, his way up through Sicily to Rome would have been clear if he could rid the islands of the Hospitallers.
He selected his finest army commander, Mustapha Pasha, joined with his son-in-law Piali Pasha as the naval commander, and with the legendary corsair Dragut, to lead a huge force of men and ships against Malta. Personnel is estimated to have numbered 40,000 aboard some 200 ships. The army included 6,000 Janissaries, the fanatical cream of Islamic forces.
The Hospitallers were just 2,500, assisted by some 400 Maltese. But the Hospitallers were led by Jean Parisot la Valette whose towering strength of character, genius for command, and unmatched fighting skills made him one of the finest military commanders of all time. Here is just one measure of what they withstood: an estimated 130,000 cannon balls weighing up to 300 pounds were fired at them.
The author meticulously researched the story of the many bloody battles of the siege and tells it with fine drama. You just cannot do better than this.
The crusader Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, had been driven from Jerusalem, and then from Rhodes by the Muslims. Malta, the barren rocks nobody else really wanted, was their last refuge. There was nowhere else to go. But it was astride the East-West shipping channel in the Mediterranean. Therefore, the Ottoman Emperor Suleimon the Magnificent had to control it. Moreover, his way up through Sicily to Rome would have been clear if he could rid the islands of the Hospitallers.
He selected his finest army commander, Mustapha Pasha, joined with his son-in-law Piali Pasha as the naval commander, and with the legendary corsair Dragut, to lead a huge force of men and ships against Malta. Personnel is estimated to have numbered 40,000 aboard some 200 ships. The army included 6,000 Janissaries, the fanatical cream of Islamic forces.
The Hospitallers were just 2,500, assisted by some 400 Maltese. But the Hospitallers were led by Jean Parisot la Valette whose towering strength of character, genius for command, and unmatched fighting skills made him one of the finest military commanders of all time. Here is just one measure of what they withstood: an estimated 130,000 cannon balls weighing up to 300 pounds were fired at them.
The author meticulously researched the story of the many bloody battles of the siege and tells it with fine drama. You just cannot do better than this.
March 27, 2021
This is the 1961 edition of the book, which I came across about twenty years ago and always planned to read and have only just got around to it. And it is a re-read because I must have first read it in around 1970 when I was 16. It is sort of a nostalgic re-read.
As an academic history of the Great Siege of Malta by the Turks in 1565 it is an utter failure. But as a gripping overview of the incredible heroism of a small band of patrician Knights of St John of Jerusalem together with the ordinary men, women and children of Malta this is compelling - and an easy read that can be done in a day.
Ernle Bradford, the author, has a real feel for the place - he came to know it during the Great Siege of 1940-1943 when he was a seaman on Motor Torpedo Boats in the Royal Navy. He therefore writes perhaps with some of the emotional understanding of soldiers and civilians under siege and the sacrifices they make.
I give it three stars only because it is not a history book in an academic sense (which it doesn't in any case set out to be) but as a gripping read of an interesting moment in history that saved Italy from the Turks it is worth more.
As an academic history of the Great Siege of Malta by the Turks in 1565 it is an utter failure. But as a gripping overview of the incredible heroism of a small band of patrician Knights of St John of Jerusalem together with the ordinary men, women and children of Malta this is compelling - and an easy read that can be done in a day.
Ernle Bradford, the author, has a real feel for the place - he came to know it during the Great Siege of 1940-1943 when he was a seaman on Motor Torpedo Boats in the Royal Navy. He therefore writes perhaps with some of the emotional understanding of soldiers and civilians under siege and the sacrifices they make.
I give it three stars only because it is not a history book in an academic sense (which it doesn't in any case set out to be) but as a gripping read of an interesting moment in history that saved Italy from the Turks it is worth more.
April 15, 2021
I picked up this book from the bargain table thinking if it was boring I would not be out much money! And WOW, I was spellbound by this action packed account of the siege of the small island of Malta! In 1565 the Muslim Ottoman Turks were at the peak of their empire ... controlling almost the entire Mediterranean. They had subdued Eastern Europe and were determined to expand into Western Europe. The only thing standing in their way were the Knights of St John based on the small island of Malta. If they could conquer Malta, they would have the perfect stepping stone from which to launch into Western Europe. They made plans for the siege of the island and launched their siege, certain of a speedy victory! Boy, we’re they in for a surprise!! The Grand Master of the Knights had other plans. His leadership was nothing short of masterful... he rallied his knights and the islanders and together they determined to hold Malta at all costs. His courage and faith inspired the knights and islanders and thus began the incredible, miraculous account of the victory over the Ottomans!
This was a great read!
This was a great read!
February 2, 2020
This is really good. Despite the biased-sounding subtitle, Bradford relates the siege and the underlying motives in an evenhanded manner, avoiding casting one side as heroes and the other as villains. He lauds examples of honor and courage on both sides, and calls out the episodes of cruelty and cowardice on both sides as well. There is much excitement and intrigue, but he narrates the drama without being melodramatic. I only wish the book included additional and improved maps.
This really is a compelling story, and could be (and should be) made into a great movie.
Check out Jason’s great review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This really is a compelling story, and could be (and should be) made into a great movie.
Check out Jason’s great review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
December 11, 2020
Admittedly, this book falls into the category of being a bit too specific in terms of scope and details for me. I don't want to take anything away from the writer or the subject matter if you are interested in this specific era or location in history. The couple take-aways I had were that Malta was a stepping stone to the Mediterranean and thus viewed as a strategic location by Suleiman and the Ottomans and the Battle of Fort St. Elmo showed an incredibly heroic effort—reminiscent in a sense of the Spartans—by the Maltans in fighting to stave off the overwhelming number of attacking Muslim forces.
March 4, 2020
Great short history. Really concise and engaging.
The fall of St Elmo is felt keenly here. So many daring and audacious moments, increasing as the siege intensifies and draws close to a close. What a terrific Ridley Scott epic this story could make.
The fall of St Elmo is felt keenly here. So many daring and audacious moments, increasing as the siege intensifies and draws close to a close. What a terrific Ridley Scott epic this story could make.
August 29, 2014
Very detailed and informative. The author made you feel that you were in there. I loved it!
April 14, 2023
Brilliantly written & a fantastic read. Highly recommend reading this book! It is one of these great histories that you want to return to each year and read afresh.
February 3, 2021
Another great book that was available via Amazon Prime. Ernle Bradford has been dead for decades, but his books on the Mediterranean are very well written and interesting. Last year, I read his book about the Siege of Constantinople in 1204 and also have his book on St. Paul on my "to read" list. Mr. Bradford was an officer in the British Royal Navy in WWII, and actually took part in the battle for retaking Malta from the Axis powers.
I was aware of this battle, but had never really studied it. Honestly, after reading this, I'm surprised that an epic blockbuster film hasn't been made about it. This book was a bit slow to get going, but once it did, it was an epic ride.
This was probably one of the greatest upsets in military history. Several thousand knights of the Knights Hospitaller, soldiers, and Maltese withheld a siege for months and ultimately destroyed a much larger Turkish army on the small but strategic island of Malta in 1565. This victory came at a time when Christianity had been rolled back across the Mediterranean world for centuries, first by the Arabs and then by the Turks. Constantinople had fallen, the Knights' old home of Rhodes had fallen, and much of Eastern Europe was being swallowed by the Turks and their great leader Soleyman, who were at the height of their civilization.
In addition to losing territory to the Muslims, Christianity was being further split by the Protestant Reformation. In fact, the Knights Hospitaller, a multi-nation Catholic military order, had only one remaining Englishman serving in it at the time of the siege, Sir Oliver Starkey, as Henry VIII had left the Catholic Church some years before. Though outnumbered and facing the greatest power of the day, the Knights held out and won, largely thanks to Grand Master Jean Parisot de Valette, a septuagenarian military genius whose foresight and willpower seemed to nearly win the battle alone. Matla's modern day capital is named in his honor, Valetta.
The Siege of Malta was a turning point in history and also occurred at a bridge of eras. This victory, combined with European victories at Vienna a few years before and Lepanto a few years after, checked the progress of Islam and would lead to the slow decline of the Ottoman Turks. Additionally, the bridge of eras is interesting to reflect on. At the Siege of Malta, you had armored knights using swords and early muskets against Turks using a combination of the same. There was also cannonry and incendiaries but both attacker and defender were compelled to fight by fervent religious fever, which already seemed to belong to another time. This was also one of the last conflicts where oared galleys were used and of course, the New World had already been discovered and was being colonized by Europeans.
All in all, a very good book on an often over-looked battle that changed the course of history.
I was aware of this battle, but had never really studied it. Honestly, after reading this, I'm surprised that an epic blockbuster film hasn't been made about it. This book was a bit slow to get going, but once it did, it was an epic ride.
This was probably one of the greatest upsets in military history. Several thousand knights of the Knights Hospitaller, soldiers, and Maltese withheld a siege for months and ultimately destroyed a much larger Turkish army on the small but strategic island of Malta in 1565. This victory came at a time when Christianity had been rolled back across the Mediterranean world for centuries, first by the Arabs and then by the Turks. Constantinople had fallen, the Knights' old home of Rhodes had fallen, and much of Eastern Europe was being swallowed by the Turks and their great leader Soleyman, who were at the height of their civilization.
In addition to losing territory to the Muslims, Christianity was being further split by the Protestant Reformation. In fact, the Knights Hospitaller, a multi-nation Catholic military order, had only one remaining Englishman serving in it at the time of the siege, Sir Oliver Starkey, as Henry VIII had left the Catholic Church some years before. Though outnumbered and facing the greatest power of the day, the Knights held out and won, largely thanks to Grand Master Jean Parisot de Valette, a septuagenarian military genius whose foresight and willpower seemed to nearly win the battle alone. Matla's modern day capital is named in his honor, Valetta.
The Siege of Malta was a turning point in history and also occurred at a bridge of eras. This victory, combined with European victories at Vienna a few years before and Lepanto a few years after, checked the progress of Islam and would lead to the slow decline of the Ottoman Turks. Additionally, the bridge of eras is interesting to reflect on. At the Siege of Malta, you had armored knights using swords and early muskets against Turks using a combination of the same. There was also cannonry and incendiaries but both attacker and defender were compelled to fight by fervent religious fever, which already seemed to belong to another time. This was also one of the last conflicts where oared galleys were used and of course, the New World had already been discovered and was being colonized by Europeans.
All in all, a very good book on an often over-looked battle that changed the course of history.
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