History of the Knights Hospitaller in the Levant facts for kids

The Knights Hospitaller in the Holy Land were a famous group of warrior monks. They started as a kind and caring organization in the late 1000s. Their main job was to help pilgrims visiting the Holy Land. Later, they became a powerful military order, playing a big part in the Crusades. They were known for their white cross symbol.

The Knights Hospitaller were one of the main military orders in the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Other famous orders included the Knights Templar and the Teutonic Order. While the Templars and Teutonic Knights started as military groups, the Hospitallers began by helping people. These three orders often fought together in battles, leading the charge or protecting the rear. Their time in the Holy Land ended when Western forces were pushed out. The Hospitallers then moved to the island of Rhodes in the early 1300s. Today, the Order still exists as the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.

The story of the Hospitallers comes from old Latin writings about the First Crusade. Later, a historian named William of Tyre wrote about them. He mixed facts with some amazing, legendary stories. The first real history of the Order was written by an Italian nobleman in the late 1200s.

The Knights Hospitaller: Their Beginnings

The first official historian of the Knights Hospitaller was William of Santo Stefano. He was a Hospitaller himself and wrote about the Order's early days between 1278 and 1303. William knew of two main stories about how the Hospitallers started.

Old Stories and Legends

One popular story, called the Miracula, tried to link the Order's start to events even before the time of Christ. This legend was even promoted by the Order's second leader, Raymond du Puy. It claimed that a hospital was built in Jerusalem by a king named Antiochus. This was supposedly around 200 BC! The story said that important figures like John the Baptist's father, Zacharias, and even Jesus Christ himself visited this hospital. It also claimed that the Virgin Mary lived there for three years.

This legend was used for many years to help raise money for the Order. Some even said that Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was the first leader. However, William of Santo Stefano helped to show that these stories were just legends.

The Real Start of the Hospital

While the legends were exciting, the real history of the Hospital is different. There was indeed an early hospital in Jerusalem. It existed during the early days of Christian pilgrimages. In 603 AD, Pope Gregory I asked an abbot named Probus to build a hospital in Jerusalem. This hospital, called a bimaristan, was built in the Muristan area of the Old City. It was for Christian pilgrims who were sick or needed care.

Around 800 AD, Charlemagne, a powerful emperor, made Probus's hospital bigger. He also added a library. Monks from the Order of Saint Benedict ran the church and the hospital. They even got special protection from the Muslim ruler, Harun al-Rashid. This meant Christians in Palestine were relatively safe for a long time. A pilgrim named Bernard the Monk visited Jerusalem in the 800s. He reported that the hospital and a church were near the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. He said there were no problems with the Muslims.

The 900s were a bit rough in the Holy Land. But Christians, both locals and pilgrims, were still mostly safe. However, in the early 1000s, a ruler named al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah began to persecute Christians. In 1009, he ordered the destruction of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Many other churches were also destroyed or taken over.

Luckily, after al-Hakim died in 1021, his son allowed Christians to rebuild their churches. The Byzantine Empire helped protect Christians in the Holy Land. Pilgrimages started again, especially in 1065. This was believed to be 1000 years after Jesus's crucifixion. But then, in 1073, the Seljuk Turks captured Jerusalem. Their harsh treatment of pilgrims was a big reason why Pope Urban II called for the Crusades in 1095.

The Amalfitan Merchants

The true story of the Hospital begins in the 1000s. Merchants from Amalfi, a city in Italy, saw how difficult things were for Christians in the Holy Land. They got permission from the Muslim rulers to set up a church and a hospice (a place for travelers and the sick) in Jerusalem.

Modern historians believe the Hospital of St. John was founded shortly before 1070. It was connected to a Benedictine church called the Church of Saint Mary of the Latins. The Amalfitan merchants dedicated this hospice to St. John the Baptist. They also founded a second hospice for women, dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalene. These places were meant to care for sick, poor, or injured pilgrims. The staff were mostly Amalfitans who took monastic vows. They were led by a Master, who reported to the Benedictine Order.

Old pilgrim writings from the 1100s confirm that this hospice and church existed. At first, it might have been both a place to stay and a place for medical care. It would have been hard to run a lodging house without also helping sick people.

Early Leaders: Gerard and Raymond du Puy

The first century of the Hospitallers was shaped by two important people. The first was Blessed Gerard, who founded the hospital. The second was Raymond du Puy, who turned the Order into a military group.

Gerard and the First Crusade

Around 1080, a Benedictine lay brother named Pierre-Gérard de Martigues was chosen to lead the Hospital. He became known as Blessed Gerard. He was about 35 years old and likely came to the Holy Land to serve the abbey.

When the Crusaders attacked Jerusalem in 1099, many Christians were forced out of the city. But Gerard stayed behind with some helpers to care for the sick in the hospital. After the Crusaders captured the city, the Hospital became independent from the church. Gerard started getting gifts and money for the organization from 1100 onwards. He gained land and income for the Hospital across the kingdom. At this time, the Hospitallers were not a military order. Gerard is seen as a "Crusader without a sword" because he helped so much without fighting.

The Hospitallers were unique because they made charity their main goal. They were a group of knights who combined their fighting skills with a monastic, religious life.

The Hospital's independence was officially recognized on June 19, 1112, by Pope Paschal II. Then, on February 15, 1113, the Pope issued a special document called a bull, Pie postulatio voluntatis. This document officially recognized the Hospital as an independent religious order. This was confirmed by other popes later on.

Gerard is considered the first Grand Master of the Knights Hospitaller. Though the title "Grand Master" wasn't used until much later, he was the first leader. He received many donations. For example, Godfrey of Bouillon, the first Latin ruler of Jerusalem, gave the hospital some land and two bakeries. These bakeries were an important source of money.

The Legend of Gerard

Some legends about Gerard continued for a long time. One story said that during the siege of Jerusalem in 1099, Gerard would throw loaves of bread to the Crusaders. When Muslim defenders caught him, the loaves miraculously turned into stones! This saved him, and he continued to help the Crusaders. These stories led to him being called "Blessed Gerard."

The Hospitallers' Medical Work

Even as the Hospitallers became more military, their original job of providing medical care remained important. They started as a single hospital in Jerusalem. Their first rules didn't even mention military activities. But as they grew, their military role became dominant. Still, helping the sick and poor was always a key part of their identity. This helped them get continued support from people in Europe.

They used medical knowledge from both the West and the East (from Muslims). Some of their practices involved religious beliefs, like using relics for healing. The Hospital cared for sick pilgrims and the poor. They focused on giving practical help to those suffering.

Early pilgrim writings confirm the Hospital's existence and location. Gerard expanded the original buildings to handle the growing number of pilgrims. One pilgrim, John of Würzburg, wrote in 1165 that the hospital cared for an "enormous multitude of sick people." He said they sometimes had 2,000 patients! The hospital also fed many people outside its walls and gave charity to beggars. It even supported soldiers to defend Christian lands.

Gerard's Death and Legacy

Gerard likely died around September 3, 1120. He left behind a group of brothers, a religious organization, and a new institution dedicated to helping pilgrims and the poor. His main focus was charity. He was called "Blessed" because of his good deeds.

Raymond du Puy: The Order Becomes Military

After Gerard's death, Raymond du Puy became the second Grand Master around 1122 or 1123. Raymond was a French knight. He formally took over the Order and served until 1160.

Raymond gave the Hospitallers their first official rules, known as the "Rule of the Hospitaller." These rules were similar to those of the Templars. They set out how the brothers should live, how new members could join, and how discipline was kept. Raymond divided the Order into three groups: knights (who fought), chaplains (who were priests), and serving brothers (who helped in various ways). He also set up the first important Hospitaller hospital near the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Raymond also introduced the Order's official seal, a lead stamp. This seal showed the Grand Master kneeling in prayer before a cross. It was used for a very long time.

It was under Raymond du Puy that the Knights Hospitaller truly became a military force. In 1135, King Fulk of Jerusalem gave the castle of Bethgiblein to the Order. This was part of a chain of forts to protect the kingdom. Raymond also started providing security for pilgrims on their journeys. He hired knights and soldiers to help defend the kingdom. By 1160, the Order was officially recognized as a religious-military order.

The Hospitallers began to fight in wars against the enemies of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. For example, they helped defend against attacks from Ascalon, a dangerous city on the coast. They were put in the front lines of defense.

The Order's Military Growth

When the Second Crusade began in 1147, the Hospitallers were already a major power. Their Grand Master, Raymond du Puy, was an important political figure. He helped decide to attack Damascus, though that attack failed. The Hospitallers played a big role in military operations.

After the Second Crusade, the focus shifted to the fortress of Ascalon. In 1153, during the Siege of Ascalon, the Hospitallers helped convince King Baldwin III of Jerusalem to continue the fight, even when others wanted to give up. Three days later, Ascalon surrendered.

The Order received many gifts of land and castles to help defend the Holy Land. Their main strongholds were the Krak des Chevaliers, a huge fortress they held from 1142 to 1271, and Margat on the Syrian coast, held from 1186 to 1285. These castles were very important for protecting the Crusader states.

Fighting in Egypt

Gilbert of Assailly became Grand Master in 1162. Under his leadership, the Order became even more military. They gained land and special military rights. Gilbert is best known for encouraging King Amalric of Jerusalem to invade Egypt.

In 1164, a Crusader army, including many Templars and Hospitallers, was defeated at the Battle of Harim. Many were captured. Later, in 1167, the Hospitallers joined Amalric's army in Egypt. They fought in battles and even entered Cairo.

Gilbert believed that conquering Egypt was a good idea. In 1168, he provided 1,000 knights and cavalry to the army. In return, he asked for land in Egypt. But this expedition failed. After this, Gilbert was blamed for ruining the Order and neglecting its charity work. He resigned.

Jobert of Syria became Grand Master in 1172. He helped free Raymond III, Count of Tripoli, who had been a prisoner since 1164. Raymond borrowed money from the Hospitallers to pay his ransom.

Saladin and the Third Crusade

Roger de Moulins became Grand Master in 1177. By this time, the Hospitallers were one of the strongest military groups in the kingdom. Roger encouraged King Baldwin IV of Jerusalem to keep fighting Saladin, a powerful Muslim leader. In 1177, they won a victory against Saladin's forces at the Battle of Montgisard.

However, Pope Alexander III reminded them to focus on their original mission of caring for the sick and poor. He told them not to fight unless they were attacked.

In 1186, Roger opposed the new rulers, Sibylla of Jerusalem and Guy of Lusignan. He even refused to give them the key to the royal treasury. This put him at odds with other leaders.

In 1187, a truce with Saladin was broken. The kingdom faced a terrible defeat at the Battle of Cresson on May 1, 1187. Roger de Moulins was killed in this battle.

Then came the disastrous Battle of Hattin on July 4, 1187. The Hospitallers and Templars were overwhelmed. Most of the Christian army was killed or captured. Saladin ordered all captured Hospitallers and Templars to be put to death, except for a few leaders. This was a huge loss for the Crusader states.

After Hattin, Saladin captured Jerusalem. The city was defended by a few knights and a small group of Hospitallers and Templars. They eventually surrendered, and Christians were allowed to leave in exchange for a ransom. Ten Hospitaller friars were allowed to stay in Jerusalem to care for the wounded.

The Hospitallers continued to defend their castles. Margat was so strong that Saladin didn't even try to besiege it. They also held out at Belvoir Castle until famine forced them to surrender in 1189.

Garnier of Nablus became Grand Master in 1190. He joined King Richard the Lionheart during the Third Crusade. They helped capture Acre in 1191. Garnier also played a big part in the Battle of Arsuf in September 1191. His knights charged forward, even against Richard's orders, which helped win the battle.

The Hospitallers and Later Crusades

Geoffroy de Donjon became Grand Master in 1193. He served until 1202. He didn't commit the Order to the Crusade of 1197 or the Fourth Crusade.

Guérin de Montaigu became Grand Master in 1207. He was a very important leader. He was involved in a conflict over who would rule Antioch. The Templars sided with one group, and the Hospitallers with another. This led to fighting between the two military orders. Eventually, a peace treaty was signed in 1231.

The Fifth Crusade

Guérin de Montaigu and the Hospitallers played a big role in the Fifth Crusade. In 1217, they helped attack the fortress of Mount Tabor and later rebuilt the defenses of Sidon. They also helped fortify Caesarea and the Château Pèlerin fortress.

The Crusaders decided to invade Egypt. They sailed from Acre in May 1218. The Siege of Damietta was successful in November 1219, and de Montaigu fought bravely. However, the Crusade ended in failure in 1221, and the Crusaders had to leave Damietta.

The Sixth Crusade

In 1222, Emperor Frederick II asked the Grand Masters to meet him in Sicily to plan a new Crusade. Guérin de Montaigu traveled to France and England to ask for help, but didn't get much.

Guérin de Montaigu died in 1228. Bertrand de Thessy became the new Grand Master. Frederick II arrived in the Holy Land for the Sixth Crusade. However, he had been excommunicated by the Pope. The Hospitallers and Templars refused to fully support him because of this.

Frederick II negotiated a peace treaty with the Muslim sultan in 1229. This treaty returned Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Nazareth to the Christians. However, the Hospitallers and Templars didn't like the treaty because it left out Antioch and Tripoli. They also didn't like that some Christian holy sites were left under Muslim control.

Conflicts and Losses

Bertrand de Thessy died in 1231, and Guérin Lebrun became Grand Master. In 1233, the Hospitallers helped attack the principality of Hama. This showed that they were becoming more focused on military actions and less on their original charitable mission.

Pierre de Vieille-Brioude became Grand Master around 1240. He advised against fighting the sultan of Damascus, al-Salih Ismail, but his advice was ignored. The Crusaders suffered a big defeat at the Battle of Gaza in 1239.

The Hospitallers and Templars sometimes fought against each other. In 1241, the Templars even attacked the Hospitallers at Acre, cutting off their food.

The Loss of the Holy Land

Guillaume de Chateauneuf became Grand Master in 1242. At this time, Jerusalem was back in Christian hands. But this wouldn't last long.

The Fall of Jerusalem and Battle of La Forbie

In 1244, the Khwarezmians, an army called by the sultan of Egypt, invaded. They besieged Jerusalem on July 15, 1244. The city's walls were not strong enough. The defenders, including Hospitallers, fought hard but received no help. The city was sacked, and many inhabitants were massacred.

A combined Christian and Muslim army then fought the Khwarezmians and Egyptians at the Battle of La Forbie near Gaza on October 17, 1244. It was a disaster. Many thousands of soldiers were killed or captured, including 325 Hospitaller knights. Guillaume de Chateauneuf himself was captured and taken to Cairo. Only a few Hospitallers escaped.

After this defeat, only the castles of Safed and Ascalon held out. Ascalon was defended by the Hospitallers. In 1245, Damascus fell to the Egyptians. By 1247, Ascalon also fell.

The Seventh Crusade

The loss of Jerusalem and the defeat at La Forbie greatly weakened Christian power. King Louis IX of France launched the Seventh Crusade in 1248. He arrived in Egypt and had some early successes, capturing Damietta in 1249.

However, disaster struck at the Battle of Fariskur in April 1250. Many Frankish forces were defeated, and Louis IX was captured. Jean de Ronay, the Hospitaller Grand Commander, was killed.

After his release, Guillaume de Chateauneuf returned to lead the Hospitallers. In 1254, a ten-year truce was made between the Christians and the Mamluks (the new rulers of Egypt). But conflicts continued among the Christians themselves, especially between the Genoese and Venetians in Acre. The Hospitallers sided with the Genoese.

Guillaume de Chateauneuf died in 1258, and Hugues de Revel became Grand Master. He strengthened the Hospitaller lands. He also had direct contact with the Mamluk sultan Baibars. In 1265, 270 Hospitallers fought bravely during the Siege of Arsuf by the Mamluk army. The town was destroyed, and its people were enslaved. This led the Hospitallers to negotiate separate truces for their strongholds. However, Baibars' armies captured the Krak des Chevaliers in 1271. Margat remained in Hospitaller hands until 1285.

Political Struggles and Final Losses

Nicolas Lorgne became Grand Master in 1278. He got involved in the politics of the kingdom, which was shrinking. The Mamluks had already pushed the kingdom into a small strip along the coast.

In 1280, the Mongols invaded Syria. The Hospitallers took advantage of the chaos. They rode out from Margat and took a lot of treasure. They even defeated a much larger force of Turkoman horsemen.

In 1285, the Mamluk sultan Qalawun attacked Margat. Despite strong defenses, the Hospitallers had to surrender on May 25. They were allowed to leave with gold and their belongings. Qalawun repaired Margat instead of destroying it, showing its importance.

Nicolas Lorgne died around the time Margat fell. Jean de Villiers became the new Grand Master in 1286. In 1289, the Mamluks besieged Tripoli. The city fell on April 26, 1289. The only Christian areas left in the Holy Land were Acre, Haifa, Sidon, Tyre, and Beirut.

Qalawun's son, al-Ashraf Khalil, swore to capture Acre. The Siege of Acre began on April 5, 1291. The Christian forces, including the Hospitallers, Templars, and Teutonic Knights, fought bravely. The Mamluks attacked fiercely. On May 16, a breach was made in the walls, but the Templars and Hospitallers, led by Marshal Matthieu de Clermont, pushed them back.

On May 18, the Mamluks attacked again. De Clermont was killed. Grand Master Jean de Villiers was wounded but managed to escape by sea with seven other Hospitaller knights. All the other men were killed, and the women and children were enslaved. The Mamluks now controlled the city.

Moving to Cyprus and Rhodes

After Acre fell, the Hospitallers moved to Cyprus. They settled in Limassol at the Castle of Kolossi. In October 1292, Jean de Villiers held a meeting of the Order. He wanted to prepare the Hospitallers to retake the Holy Land. He also worked to protect Cyprus and Armenia from the Mamluks.

Jean de Villiers died in 1293. Odon de Pins became Grand Master, but he faced problems within the Order. He died in 1296, and Guillaume de Villaret became Grand Master. He worked to strengthen the Order's leadership. In 1301, he divided the Order into "Langues" based on language.

After the loss of Acre, the Mamluks were very powerful. But the Christians found a new ally in the Mongols of Persia. In 1299, the Mongols defeated the Mamluks in a big battle. The Mongol leader sent an ambassador to Cyprus to form an alliance. King Henry II of Cyprus, the King of Armenia, and the Templar Grand Master Jacques de Molay agreed to the alliance.

In 1300, Henry II, Guillaume de Villaret, and Jacques de Molay led a fleet to raid Egypt. They attacked Rosetta and Alexandria, taking a lot of treasure. This showed the Mongols that the Christians were serious about fighting. The Mongol leader then invited them to join a joint attack.

The King of Cyprus sent an army to Armenia, including 300 knights from the Hospitallers and Templars. They captured the island of Ruad, near the Syrian coast, to use as a base. They also took the city of Tortosa. They captured many Muslims and sold them as slaves. However, this led to the Fall of Ruad, which was the last battle for the Holy Land.

The Knights of Rhodes

When the Hospitallers were in Cyprus, the island was ruled by King Henry II of Cyprus. He wasn't happy that such a powerful group was on his small island. This likely pushed Guillaume de Villaret to plan to conquer the island of Rhodes, which was part of the Byzantine Empire.

Guillaume de Villaret died around 1305. His successor, Foulques de Villaret, led the Hospitaller conquest of Rhodes starting in 1306.

In 1308, Pope Clement V called for a new Crusade against the Mamluks. This was meant to be a small expedition led by the Hospitallers. However, instead of sailing to the Holy Land, the Hospitallers went to Rhodes in early 1310.

Around the same time, the trials of the Knights Templar began. The Templars' wealth was given to the Hospitallers in 1312. This helped the Hospitallers pay off their debts from conquering Rhodes. Foulques de Villaret was the first leader of the Knights of Cyprus and Rhodes. Their rule on Rhodes lasted from 1310 until 1522.

How We Know Their Story

The first writings about the Hospitallers come from the early historians of the First Crusade. William of Tyre's history was the most complete, though it mixed facts with stories. The first full history of the Order was written by Guigliemo (William) of Santo Stefano after Acre fell in 1291. He used original sources and tried to correct the old legends. He famously said, "Now let us let go of vanity, and hold to the truth."

Many letters from the Hospitallers in the Holy Land have survived. These include letters from Grand Masters like Gilbert of Assailly, Nicolas Lorgne, and Jean de Villiers. They describe battles, the state of the kingdom, and other important events.

An anonymous historian from the 1300s wrote a chronicle called Gestes des Chiprois. It tells the history of the Crusader states and Cyprus, including the Siege of Acre in 1291.

Later historians, like Guillaume Caoursin in the 1400s, wrote more about the Hospitallers. He wrote about their rules and the Siege of Rhodes in 1480. Giacomo Bosio in the 1500s wrote a huge history of the Order from its beginning until 1571.

In the 1800s, many English writers also wrote about the Hospitallers. John Taaffe published a four-volume history of the Order. Lambert B. Larking translated a report about the Knights Hospitallers in England from 1338.

Modern historians like Jonathan Riley-Smith, Helen Nicholson, and Alain Demurger continue to study the Knights Hospitaller. Archaeologists like David Nicolle and Hugh Kennedy have also found important information from Crusader castles.

Appendix: List of Grand Masters

The list of Grand Masters of the Knights Hospitaller, including those who served for a short time, is below. The exact dates can sometimes be debated.

Images for kids

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  The Knights Hospitaller in the 13th century

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  A dedication to Frere Guillaume (Brother William) in a manuscript by William of Santo Stefano.

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  A medieval painting of William of Tyre writing his history.

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  Blessed Gérard receiving Godefroy de Bouillon. Painting by Antoine de Favray.

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  The Pie postulatio voluntatis bull from Pope Paschal II in 1113. This document officially recognized the Order of St. John.

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  Raymond du Puy by Alexandre Laemlein in the Hall of Crusades at the Palace of Versailles.

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  The Hospitaller Commandery of Saint-Jean-d'Acre, from the 12th–13th centuries.

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  Defense of Celesyria by Raymond du Puy by Édouard Cibot.

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  The Battle of Hattin by Gustave Doré.

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  Richard the Lionheart and Saladin at the Battle of Arsuf, by Gustave Doré.

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  Crusaders attack the tower of Damietta in a painting by Cornelis Claesz van Wieringen.

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  Manuel I Komnenos and the envoys of Amalric of Jerusalem, leading to the invasion of Egypt.

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  Louis IX being taken prisoner at the Battle of Fariskur by Gustave Doré.

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  The Hospitaller Marshal defending the walls at the siege of Acre, 1291. By Dominique Papety.

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  Siege of Rhodes 1480, after Guillaume Caoursin. By Émile and Adolphe Rouargue, 1856.

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  Banner of the Hospitallers as shown in the Chronica Maiora by Matthew Paris, c. 1250.

See also

In Spanish: Historia de los Caballeros Hospitalarios en Levante para niños

• Grand Masters of the Knights Hospitaller
• Cartulaire général de l'Ordre des Hospitaliers
• History of the Knights Templar
• Grand Masters of the Knights Templar
• List of Knights Hospitaller sites
• Commanderies of the Order of Saint John
• Priors of St. John of Jerusalem in England
• Langue (Knights Hospitaller)
• Bailiff (Order)
• Flags of the Knights Hospitaller
• Hospitaller Rhodes