CS 722

This title was first published in 2002: Dr Luttrell's work has helped change our understanding of the history of the small islands of Malta and Gozo, providing a more coherent story of the ways in which, during the Middle Ages, a small isolated Muslim community was converted into a more prosperous outpost of Roman Christianity with a unique cultural mixture of Arabic speech and European institutions. This selection of studies places the process within the context of developments in the medieval Mediterranean world and combines archaeological and architectural investigations with work in Maltese, Sicilian and other archives, with a particular focus on ecclesiastical matters; a new introduction brings the subject up to date. This work is of relevance to scholars of Islam and Christianity, while providing insights into the nature of an unusual island community whose significance far exceeds its size.


The studies in the present volume, on the history of the Order of the Hospital between 1306 and 1522, are not only concerned with the part it played in the defence of the Latin Levant, but also with its role in Western society. The first articles deal with the settlement of Rhodes, the conflicts with the Turks, and with the Hospitallers’ participation in crusading expeditions. As important, however, is the question of how they managed to support their military achievements. Drawing on the results of many years’ research into the archives of the Hospital, both in Malta and in the provincial archives, Dr Luttrell examines their administration of the Rhodian islands and details some of the resources they drew from elsewhere, notably the West, whether in terms of recruitment, money raising or the exploitation of their estates. Particular attention is given to the Hospitaller properties in Italy and Spain, and to the nature of Hospitaller life in these western priories and commanderies. Les études regroupées dans le présent volume, qui traitent de l’histoire de l’Ordre de l’Hôpital entre 1306 et 1522, ne s’attachent pas seulement au rôle joué par celui-ci dans la défense du Levant latin, mais aussi à son rôle dans la société occidentale. Les premiers articles s’intéressent à la colonisation de Rhodes, aux conflits avec les Turcs et à la participation des membres de l’Ordre aux expéditions croisées. La question de savoir comment ils parvinrent à financer leurs exploits militaires reste toutefois importante; s’appuyant sur les résultats obtenus après de nombreuses années de recherches dans les archives de l’Hôpital, à Malte et en province, le Dr Luttrell examine leur administration des îles rhodiennes et fait un compte-rendu qu’ils tirèrent d’ailleurs, notamment de l’Ouest, que ce soit en terme de recrutement, de collecte de fonds ou d’exploitation de leurs terres. Une attention plus particulière est portée sur

This is the fifth collection of studies on the Hospitallers of Rhodes by Anthony Luttrell to appear in the Variorum Collected Studies Series. In these 24 studies the emphasis is on the 14th century, on the central Convent facing the Turks, on the hinterland in the Order's European priories and commanderies, and on their interaction and interdependence. Together, they constitute another important body of work on the history of the Hospitallers. Particular topics include the nature of the Hospital as a military-religious order; its historiography, iconography, religiosity and finances; relations with the papacy; women members; Eastern outposts at Bodrum, on Kos and in mainland Greece; and developments in Hungary, England, Catalunya, Rousillon, and various parts of Italy.