Europe bound

[CABAL49]

Originally Posted by Karesh

Go to Malta.
Join Knights of Malta.
Be Hospitaller.

Aren't they the Knights of St. John? And in Italy?

[Karrrrrrrrrrrresche]

Originally Posted by CABAL49

Aren't they the Knights of St. John? And in Italy?

St. John was their patron saint, their full title was "The Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem". But bear in mine that's the title of "The Knights of the Order", the Order itself was the Hospitaller. As the name might imply, they started out managing what amounted to hospitals and rest areas for pilgrims during the Crusades. From there they began acting to protect pilgrims during their travels, and then expanded into becoming a full military order.

Then the order faffed about for a bit.

Eventually however they were given dominion over Acre, which would be the last crusader city in the Kingdom of Jerusalem to fall. From there they would move to Cyprus temporarily, and then on to siege the island of Rhodes. Following a two year campaign they captured Rhodes from the Byzantium and got a new name. During this period you could call them "Knights Hospitaller", "Knights of St. John" or "Knights of Rhodes" and be equally correct.

During this period with no pilgrims to care for or protect they became far more militarized, and mainly participated in suppression of pirates and raiding parties from nations unfriendly to the European kingdoms.

The knights promptly faffed about for a bit.

Eventually the Byzantium emperor kicked them back out and the knights once again retreated. This time to Sicily, and during this period they wandered Europe for a while until the King of Spain offered them Malta. Once settled in, as before they adopted the name of the land. So "Knights of Malta."

Much as before they fought the Barbary Pirates and any other enemies they could, and faffed about.

Yadda yadda skip a bit whatever. Eventually, they accepted a request from then Emperor of France Napoleon Bonaparte to take refuge in their harbor on Malta.
As it turns out, this was kind of a mistake. I don't really know if you're aware, but Napoleon was kind of a dick.
Because the Knights refused a request for their extra stores of water, he sent troops to invade their fortress. The order promptly surrendered.

To be fair, they did have a thing about not fighting Christians, so that might have been part of why they didn't smack him around a bit. Regardless, the Grand Master was disgraced and resigned. Shit went bad, they had holdings across various European countries, but no headquarters or leader.

Thus, the order faffed about for a bit. Until a new Grand Master was appointed by the Pope. With this new Grand Master, they adopted a new name: "Sovereign Military Order of Malta"
or more officially "The Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta"

Quite recently, the Island of Malta has allowed the order to regain control of their fort there. So, the closest thing to the Hospitaller order is the Order of the Knights of Malta. And their only Maltese holding is that fort.

[CABAL49]

Anyways. I am in Germany. Wooooo

[A Zarkin' Frood]

I can't wait till you start hating it here.

[Karrrrrrrrrrrresche]

Originally Posted by CABAL49

Anyways. I am in Germany. Wooooo

Beer.
Get lots and lots of beer.

[The Sevenshot Kid]

Originally Posted by Karesh

Beer.
Get lots and lots of beer.

In a boot.

[CABAL49]

Originally Posted by InsaneGenius

I can't wait till you start hating it here.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOUR KEYBOARDS! EVERYTHING IS WRONG!

Originally Posted by The Sevenshot Kid

In a boot.

I can buy a bunch of boots next door.