Rhodes

fter the fall of Acre the Crusading movement lost most of its value as a political design.

When Jerusalem had been conquered by the troops of Saladin in 1187, there had been an immediate psychological and military reaction in all the Christian States. On the contrary in 1291, the conquest of Tolemaide stirred up indignation and pain in the people, but no surprise. The seriousness of the situation had been known for some time. The loss of the Holy Land was very dramatic but everyone knew that it was inevitable. Europe was torn by the rivalries between the various kings and sovereigns and religious fervour was not a good enough reason to go to the East. Only Pope Nicholas IV tried in vain to change the situation because he felt deep sorrow for the defeat.

Though Europe could postpone the solution to the problems of the inherited Kingdom d'outre-mer, a very uncertain period began for the Military Orders. With the impossibility to develop their own institutional activity, they felt that the reasons for which they had been founded were lacking. The war against the infidels, the original reason for which the Religious Orders had been founded, was failing.

The Hospital of Rhodes, built by Grand Master Fra' Jean de Lastic.

This interesting phenomenon in the history of the Church, the creation and foundation of Military Orders, confirmed how the Church had been able to become part of the war society of the time. The birth of these institutions had shown how the Crusades were born as fortuitous episodes but had acquired the dimensions of a problem involving the Christian conscience not only in its thinking and organisation but also in the disciplinary attitude of the clergy.

Rich and strong, with Commanderies spread throughout the various countries, and with the many problems that the continuous

military duties had always created, the Military Orders appeared like giants looking for a flag to fly and ready to take up side with whomever needed their assistance for a just cause.

They were the new protagonists on the scene of a Christian Europe where the balance was difficult and precarious. The Hospitallers moved the seat of their Convent and Hospital to Cyprus and felt the necessity to reorganise themselves and think about their future. The island on which they, together with the Templars, had found hospitality was too small and restricted for them and they understood that their independence was threatened. The years spent on the island of Cyprus was an interesting period in which to study and reflect. The Hospitallers met twice in Chapter General where they examined the situation, preparing strategies for their future activities. Their properties spread throughout Europe and the riches coming from the various Commanderies began to raise interests and greed which could have led to a dangerous situation. These possessions could be justified only by military and hospitaller activities. It became necessary to get reorganised and to return to fighting.

This occurred in 1306. Vignolo de Vignoli, an adventurer from Genoa who was in the service of the Emperor of Byzantium, Andronic II Paleologus, stipulated a rental agreement with him for the Isles of Cos and Leros. He proposed to Grand Master Fulk de Villaret to conquer together all the isles of the Dodecanese. He would have retained one third of the territory. The Hospitallers realised that this offer was the best solution to solve their problems. The political moment suggested that the Order should make its sovereignty concrete and should begin its activity again as soon as possible.

As the Hospitallers could no longer fight the Muslims on dry land, the sea became the theatre of the military action of the "Religion", as the Order came to be called. Rhodes was the best operative base it was possible to think of. The reason for this was simple: it was the meeting point of the routes from the East and the West and it had natural harbours where ships could be repaired. The climate was also good with favourable winds, necessary for easy navigation in and out of the island. These were the precious characteristics of the island that was to become the headquarters of the army of St. John.

The general situation was propitious.

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