| − | The '''Knights of St. John''', also known as the '''Knights Hospitaller''' were a medieval military order. They originally cared for sick and wounded pilgrims, but gradually developed, and became an autonomous order dedicated to fighting [[Islam|Muslims]] in the [[Crusades]]. After the [[Holy Land]] was conquered my the Muslims, they relocated to [[Rhodes]], and eventually to [[Malta]], over which they ruled.<ref>http://www.orderofmalta.org/site/storia.asp?idlingua=5</ref> | + | The '''Knights of St. John''', also known as the '''Knights Hospitaller'',' were a medieval military order. They originally cared for sick and wounded pilgrims, but gradually developed, and became an autonomous order dedicated to fighting [[Islam|Muslims]] in the [[Crusades]]. After the [[Holy Land]] was conquered my the Muslims, they relocated to [[Rhodes]], and eventually to [[Malta]], over which they ruled.<ref>http://www.orderofmalta.org/site/storia.asp?idlingua=5</ref> |
| | Today, the order survives in the form of the '''Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes, and of Malta'''. | | Today, the order survives in the form of the '''Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes, and of Malta'''. |