The Knights Hospitaller

They began as humble caregivers. They became the greatest warrior monks in history.

The Knights Hospitaller were unlike any other organisation the medieval world had ever seen. Founded to care for sick and weary pilgrims in Jerusalem, they transformed into an elite military order that defended the Crusader kingdoms, built some of history's greatest castles, ruled the islands of Rhodes and Malta, and stood against the might of the Ottoman Empire.

For almost a thousand years, the Hospitallers combined compassion with courage, creating a legacy that still survives today.

In this fast paced and engaging history, you'll discover:

• How a simple hospital became one of Europe's most powerful military orders

• The remarkable story of Blessed Gerard and the birth of the Hospitallers

• Why the brothers became both monks and professional soldiers

• The famous castles that guarded the Crusader states, including Krak des Chevaliers

• The battles against Saladin and the dramatic fall of Jerusalem

• How the Order escaped the Holy Land and built a powerful island kingdom on Rhodes

• The incredible story of the Great Siege of Malta in 1565

• What everyday life was really like inside the Order

• The myths, legends and hidden treasures linked to the Hospitallers

• How the Order survived the end of the Crusades and continues its humanitarian work today

Written in the clear, accessible style of the Half Hour History series, this book separates fact from legend while bringing to life one of the most extraordinary organisations ever created.

Fast to read. Easy to understand. Impossible to forget. Discover the incredible true story of the Knights Hospitaller.