The Knights of Malta stem from the monks of the first crusade into the holy land.
Origonaly they were know as "Freres Hospitaliers de St. Jean de Jerusalem" and were monks attachted to a hospice built in Jerusalem to take care of christians travelling to the holy land.They formed in time to be an armed escort looking after the christian pilgrims .
Over the years and as the Islamic movement gained momentum they started to retreat from the holy lands first to Greece then to the island of Rhodes where 7000 Knights held at bay for 6 months, 200,000 Turkish attackers.
With no where to go and little posessions the Knights then moved to Italy until in 1530 they accepted to pay rent ( 1 Falcon per year) for the island of Malta.
In 1556 the Turks attack Malta.After a lot of bloodshed the Knights and the Maltese people held out and the Turks left the island.
Throughout history the Knights and the Maltese people withstood many seiges and
the Maltese Cross represents the eight obligations or aspirations of the Knights.
The Knights are now know as the Knights of Malta. Their eight-pointed cross became known as the Maltese cross.
There you are Jeffles hows that for history?? all taken from
http://web.idirect.com/~malta/knights.htm It gives you the full history of the Knights of Malta. :mrgreen:
