Hospitallers
or ORDER OF ST.
JOHN OF JERUSALEM, a military order originated in a monastery, chapel, and hospital, founded at Jerusalem by some merchants of Amalphi, in 1048. In 1099 the hospital received increased territories from Godfrey de Bouillon, who transferred its government from the monks to his knights. In 1113 they were confirmed as a spiritual order by Pope Pascal II. The Hospitallers greatly distinguished themselves in the crusades at Jerusalem in 1152, and at Acre in 1191. In 1308 their order was united with that of St. Samson of Jerusalem.
They conquered Rhodes, Aug. 15, 1309.
Their wealth was much increased in 1311 by the addition of the possessions of the suppressed Templars. In 1321 they defeated the Turks in a great naval battle, and in 1341 took Smyrna. They took Alexandria in 1365, and in 1480 compelled Mohammed II. to retreat from Rhodes. In 1498 the possessions of the dissolved orders of the Holy Sepulcher and of St. Lazarus were bestowed upon the Hospitallers. In 1522 they were compelled to quit Rhodes by Soliman II., who besieged their garrison, and in 1530 they were allowed to settle in Malta.