Rhodes Knights

The Knights of Rhodes is the name given to the order also known as The Hospitaller or the Knights of the Saint John, which was established in Jerusalem as a charitable organization, after their settlement on the island of Rhodes after their departure from the holy lands. The knowledge about the locality provided by the Order to the Christian pilgrims and the role of a charitable foundation by the end of the XIth century helped them to receive large donations. As a result, they grew very fast in terms of human resources and material wealth, enabling the organization to build fortifications and provide a steady source of soldiers. Consequently, they became indispensable for the Papacy in its effort of crusade. Moreover, the order was responsible only against the Papacy. By means of the policies they implemented, they achieved great effectiveness both in the holy lands and on the island of Rhodes after the loss of the holy lands. Their ability to quickly adapt to changing circumstances and balance of power helped them not only to survive, for a short period, firstly in Akka and later on on the island of Rhodes after they lost their first headquarters in Jerusalem in 1187, but also to sustain their independent rule in the Eastern Mediterreanean for two hundred years as the last Catholic Christian formation until the conquest of the island by the Ottomans in 1522. Their 200 year long rule over the island may also be considered as the apogee of their strength, due in part to the geographic location of Rhodes.