{"product_id":"malt-11","title":"MALT-11 - Knight of St. John  | John Jenkins Designs","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMALT-11 - Knight of St. John | John Jenkins Designs\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis Knight of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem represents one of the defenders of Malta during the Great Siege of 1565.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe figure depicts a knight thrusting downwards with a billhook, a polearm represented among the weapons carried by the defending forces.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Knights Hospitaller, also known as the Order of St. John, had a long history extending back to the medieval Crusades.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginally established in Jerusalem, the Order became an important military and religious organisation, eventually developing substantial military capabilities throughout the eastern Mediterranean.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFollowing their expulsion from Rhodes by Ottoman forces in 1522, the Knights established their headquarters on Malta in 1530.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn 1565, Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent launched a major expedition against the island in an attempt to defeat the Knights and expand Ottoman influence.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe siege lasted from 18 May until 11 September 1565, with approximately 500 Knights and thousands of supporting soldiers resisting the invading Ottoman army.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe successful defence of Malta became one of the most celebrated military achievements of 16th-century Europe.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis individual knight provides an excellent addition to a siege defence collection, particularly when displayed alongside other Knights of St. John and Maltese Militia figures.\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":53279120523546,"sku":"MALT-11","price":86.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0958\/0154\/0890\/files\/MALT-11.jpg?v=1793524685","url":"https:\/\/themilitaryworkshop.com\/products\/malt-11","provider":"The Military Workshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}