{"product_id":"malt-14","title":"MALT-14 - Officer\/Drummer  | John Jenkins Designs","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMALT-14 - Officer\/Drummer | John Jenkins Designs\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis two-figure set depicts a Maltese Militia Officer and Drummer during the Great Siege of Malta in 1565, representing the command and musical personnel associated with the island's defenders.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe figures provide an important addition to the Maltese Militia collection, complementing the infantrymen equipped with muskets, swords, pistols and shields.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Great Siege of Malta was one of the most significant military confrontations of the 16th century, beginning on 18 May 1565 when Ottoman forces launched an expedition against the island.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMalta had been the headquarters of the Knights Hospitaller since 1530, following their expulsion from Rhodes by the Ottoman Empire in 1522.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUnder Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, the Ottoman forces attempted to capture Malta and strengthen their position in the Mediterranean.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe island's defenders included approximately 500 Knights of the Order of St. John, supported by thousands of soldiers and local militia.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDespite the scale of the Ottoman assault, the defenders successfully resisted the invasion, with the siege ending in September 1565.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis Officer and Drummer set provides a distinctive command element for a Maltese Militia formation and is particularly suitable for displays featuring the Knights of St. John, musket-armed infantry and other defenders of Malta.\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":53279120654618,"sku":"MALT-14","price":142.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0958\/0154\/0890\/files\/MALT-14.jpg?v=1793524685","url":"https:\/\/themilitaryworkshop.com\/products\/malt-14","provider":"The Military Workshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}