Knights Hospitaller

Knights Hospitaller Definition

The Knights Hospitaller were a militaristic religious order of fighting Knights, however unlike the Knights Templar, the Hospitaller knights were not just fighting knights but were also trained to care for injured, sick and dying Christian Crusaders.

Names for the Knights Hospitaller

The Knights Hospitaller had several names such as the order of Malta, the Knights of Malta and the Hospitallers of St John. The name of the Knights Hospitaller indicates the nature of this militaristic order of knights who helped to care for sick and dying Christian Crusaders.

Knights Hospitaller Distinctive Clothing

Just like the Knights Templar, the Knights Hospitaller wore very distinctive clothing that helped them stand out from other medieval knights. Whereas the Teutonic crusader knights wore white costumes with a black cross the Hospitaller crusader Knights wore black costumes with a white cross. The Knights hospitaller’s horse would also be decked out in the knights Hospitaller colours.

Statue of Knights Hospitaller Knight

Hospitaller Crusader Knights Armour

A Hospitaller crusader Knight was normally well protected by his armour, he would usually carry a kite shaped shield that was black with a white cross. A Hospitaller Knight wore a helm helmet to protect his head during battle which was popular style in medieval times, as well as this the Hospitaller Knight’s warhorse was specially trained to fight itself in battle itself and would be clothed in armour including armour to protect it’s face called a Shaffron. A Hospitaller Knights horse would also wear the Hospitaller Knights distinctive black and white colours.

Weapons of a Hospitaller Knight

Hospitaller Knights could be armed with lances, long swords or other weapons such as Maces, however the Hospitaller Knight’s favourite weapon was his sword as was the case for all medieval knights, the Hospitaller Knight’s sword had a special place in his heart and was the only weapon a Knight could not be without.

If a Hospitaller Knight was dismounted he would fight with best weapon at his disposal which was usually his sword however other weapons such as maces, poleaxes and war hammers were also used in fights that went to ground. As a last resort a Hospitaller Knight would usually have a dagger at his disposal if he lost his other weapons, sometimes a Knight would also lose his shield and be forced into a grappling situation on the ground where the medieval dagger such as a Rondel Dagger would be ideal to penetrate gaps in the enemy’s armour.

Knights of Malta Symbols Knights Hospitaller

Knight Hospitaller – Knights of Malta

The Hospitaller knights had several names however, they are widely recognised as being the Knights of Malta as well as the island of Malta was literally their own state which they controlled over many centuries. During the time when the Knights Hospitaller (Knights of Malta) controlled this territory they were invaded by the mighty Ottoman army who attempted to take control, however after five months of furious fighting the Hospitaller Knights eventually overpowered the Ottoman army and this victory ensured that the legend of the Knights Hospitaller
lived on.

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