{"product_id":"malt-07n","title":"MALT-07N - Maltese Militia  | John Jenkins Designs","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMALT-07N - Maltese Militia | John Jenkins Designs\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis four-figure set represents Maltese Militiamen defending the island during the Great Siege of Malta in 1565.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe set includes two soldiers firing muskets supported by rests, accompanied by two kneeling infantrymen equipped with pistols and round shields.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese contrasting weapons and poses illustrate the combination of firearms and close-combat equipment carried by the defenders during the siege.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Great Siege of Malta began on 18 May 1565 when Ottoman forces launched an expedition to capture the island from the Knights Hospitaller.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Knights of the Order of St. John had occupied Malta since 1530, after losing their former stronghold on Rhodes to the Ottomans in 1522.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Ottoman expedition was undertaken during the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, who sought to extend Ottoman control in the Mediterranean.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDespite facing a powerful invading army, approximately 500 Knights and around 6,000 supporting soldiers successfully defended the island during nearly four months of fighting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe siege ended in September 1565 when the Ottoman forces withdrew, marking an important victory for the defenders.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis four-figure set is particularly suitable for creating larger Maltese infantry formations and defensive positions within a historical siege display.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNow available from The Military Workshop.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"John Jenkins","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53279120490778,"sku":"MALT-07N","price":256.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0958\/0154\/0890\/files\/MALT-07N.jpg?v=1793524685","url":"https:\/\/themilitaryworkshop.com\/products\/malt-07n","provider":"The Military Workshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}