Knights of Malta, 1523-1798 | Page 5

by their black
capitana, swooped down on the Turkish shipping of the Levant and
brought back many rich prizes. Malta grew steadily in wealth, and the
island became full of Turkish slaves. The generals of the Maltese
galleys, Strozzi, La Valette, Charles of Lorraine, and De Romegas,
were far more terrible even than the great Corsairs, because of their
determination to extirpate the infidel. The state of war between the
Order and the Mussulman was recognised by all as something unique;
neither side dreamt of a peace or a truce, and only once in the history of
the Order does there seem to have been the suggestion of an agreement.
The fanaticism which actuated the Knights in their determination to
destroy the infidel made them formidable enemies, despite their
fewness in number. Solyman the Magnificent must have often repented
of his clemency in letting the Knights leave Rhodes alive, and in 1564
he decided it would be a fitting end to his reign if he could destroy the
worst pest of the Mediterranean by capturing Malta and annihilating the
Order of St. John of Jerusalem.
[Footnote 1: Vide Appendix I.]
[Footnote 2: The chroniclers, such as Vertot, often call this town, which
was the ancient Adrumetum, "Africa," and it is therefore necessary to
watch their use of that word carefully.]
[Footnote 3: See map on p. 19.]
[Footnote 4: This visit caused a great sensation in Europe, as De L'Isle
Adam crossed the Alps in the depth of winter, and this haste to pay his
respects touched the King of England.]

CHAPTER II

THE SIEGE OF MALTA
1565.
The Grand Master of the Knights of Malta in 1565 was Jean Parisot de
la Valette. Born in 1494 of a noble family in Quercy, he had been a
Knight of St. John all his life, and forty-three years before had
distinguished himself at the siege of Rhodes. He had never left his post
at the "Convent" except to go on his "caravans,"[1] as the cruises in the
galleys were named. As a commander of the galleys of the "Religion,"
as the Order called itself, he had won a name that stood conspicuous in
that age of great sea captains; and in 1557, on the death of the Grand
Master de la Sangle, the Knights, mindful of the attack that was sure to
come, elected La Valette to the vacant office. No better man could be
found even in the ranks of the Order. Passionately religious, devoted
body and soul to his Order and faith, Jean de la Valette was prepared to
suffer all to the death rather than yield a foot to the hated infidel.
Unsparing of himself, he demanded utter sacrifice from his
subordinates, and his cold, unflinching severity would brook no
hesitation.
Both sides spent the winter and spring of 1565 in preparations for the
great attack. The Grand Master sent a message to all the Powers of
Europe; but Philip II., who sent him some troops, and the Pope, who
sent him 10,000 crowns, alone responded to his appeal. The message
sent to the various commanderies[2] throughout Europe brought the
Knights in haste to the defence of their beloved Convent. The Maltese
Militia was organised and drilled and proved of great value in the siege,
and even 500 galley slaves were released on promise of faithful service.
Altogether La Valette seems to have had at his disposal about 9,000
men (though the authorities differ slightly as to the exact figures). Of
these over 600 were Knights with their attendants, about 1,200 were
hired troops, about 1,000 were volunteers, chiefly from Italy, and the
remainder Maltese Militia and galley slaves.
The Turkish fleet at the beginning consisted of 180 vessels, of which
130 were galleys; and the troops on board consisted of about 30,000
men, of whom 6,000 belonged to the select troops of the Janissaries.

Twice during the siege the Ottomans received reinforcements: first,
Dragut himself with 13 galleys and 1,600 men, and later, Hassan,
Viceroy of Algiers and son of Khair-ed-Din Barbarossa, with 2,500
Corsairs. Altogether the Ottoman forces at the maximum, inclusive of
sailors, must have exceeded 40,000 men. A small reinforcement of 700
men, of whom 42 were Knights, contrived to steal through the Turkish
lines on June 29; but that was all the help the garrison received before
September.
[Illustration: PLAN TO ILLUSTRATE SIEGE OF MALTA 1565]
The Turkish army was under the command of Mustapha Pasha, and the
fleet under that of Piali. Both had received orders not to take any steps
without the advice of Dragut. It would have been far better for the
Turkish cause had the Corsair been in supreme command, for his skill
as an artilleryman was famous. But there had always been trouble in the
Ottoman fleet when a