Knights Hospitaller

Coat of arms of the Vatican City

Hospitalers

Piae Postulatio Voluntatis bull of Pope Paschal II, 1113

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Knights Hospitaller

The Knights Hospitaller, officially known as the Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, is a Catholic military order that was founded in the early 12th century. Originating as a monastic community dedicated to providing care for poor, sick, or injured pilgrims to the Holy Land, the order soon took on military duties and became one of the most formidable military orders in the Crusades.

History

The Knights Hospitaller were founded around 1099, shortly after the First Crusade, by Blessed Gerard. Initially, their main purpose was to provide hospital care to pilgrims, but their mission expanded to include the defense of the Christian territories in the Holy Land. The order was recognized by Pope Paschal II in 1113, granting it papal protection and the right to receive donations.

During the Crusades, the Knights Hospitaller acquired considerable territories, including the island of Rhodes in 1310, where they established a strong naval presence. After being expelled from Rhodes in 1522 by the Ottoman Empire, they were granted control of Malta by Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor in 1530, where they became known as the Knights of Malta. The order's naval prowess was instrumental in the Great Siege of Malta in 1565, repelling an Ottoman invasion.

Organization

The Knights Hospitaller were organized into a strict hierarchy, with the Grand Master at the top, followed by knights, chaplains, and serving brothers. The order was divided into national langues (tongues), which were essentially geographic divisions. Each langue had its own auberge (inn) where its members resided.

Modern Times

Today, the order is known as the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta (SMOM). It maintains its commitment to charitable activities, focusing on medical and humanitarian aid around the world. The order enjoys sovereign status and issues its own passports, coins, and postage stamps. It holds observer status at the United Nations.

Legacy

The Knights Hospitaller have left a lasting legacy in the areas of medical care and military defense. Their contributions to hospital care are recognized as some of the earliest examples of organized medical service. The architectural and cultural heritage of the order is evident in the fortifications and buildings they left behind in Jerusalem, Rhodes, Malta, and other places.

See Also

• Crusades
• Knights Templar
• Teutonic Knights
• Military order (monastic society)

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