Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Chivalry,
knew that the lull in the Turkish . movements was but temporary , and that ere long the storm of war would burst over his little territory . Every preparation for resistance being made , on the 28 th of October , 1476 , the Knights in full assembly renewed their oath on the Cross , to shed their last drop of blood in its defence ; at the same time
investing the Grand Master with absolute authority . In the spring of 1480 , the Turkish armament appeared off Ehodes : the fleet consisted of 160 large vessels , besides numerous smaller ones , bearing , irrespective of sailors , 60 , 000 soldiers . This force was'landed , and to opposeit were but the Knights and some 16 , 000 soldiers of all nations ,
including the native militia , of whom many were Jews . The heroic defence of Ehodes , when we consider the disparity of the opposing forces , renders its siege one of the . most remarkable in history . In a final assault , which was headed by the Turkish general-in-ehief , the besiegers were completely routed ; and after a siege of 89 days , notwithstanding the immense artillery employed , they abandoned the
enterprise ; The Grand Master , who had in person repelled this last assault , was borne to his palace covered with wounds . To commemorate this glorious event , three churches were built in Ehodes , one of them being dedicated to St . Mary of Victory . Mohammed died in course of the ensuing year , and D'Aubusson in 1503 . Emeric d'Amboise
was elected Grand Master , and being in France at the time of his election , the king presented him with the sword Saint Louis had borne in his crusades . Having no matters now to engage them on land , the Knights made several expeditions by sea , and captured many Egyptian vessels . D'Amboise died in 1512 , and Guy de
Blanchefort was elected ; he was in France at the time , and departed for Ehodes , hut was seized with illness on his way , and died off Zante . Fabricio Caretto , the admiral of the Order , was immediately chosen Grand Master . The Emperor of the Turks , Bnjazet ,
who had succeeded Mohammed , died , it was supposed , of poison administered by . his son Selim , who made some preparations to attack Ehodes , but he died in 1520 . His son Solyman , who was surnamed the " Magnificent , " and who was doubtless the greatest of-the Ottoman sultans , succeeded quietly to the throne . He determined to attempt the subjugation of Ehodes , but was compelled first to subdue an irruption in his own dominions , and while so engaged the Order lost its Grand Master .
There was a contest for the election of Grand Master , and the result was the choice of Philip Yilliers de I'Isle Adam , Grand Prior of France . Solyman , at his accession , seeing that the only points in which the Ottoman arms had been hitherto foiled were Ehodes and Belgrade , from both which places Mohammed had been repulsed
with dishonour , selected them at once as objects of his attack Belgrade , at that time thought one of the strongest fortresses in Europe , was compelled to submit to the overwhelming strength ot the Turkish force : and notwithstanding the terms of the capitulation , the garrison was put to the sword . The next year an immense von . iv . r
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Chivalry,
knew that the lull in the Turkish . movements was but temporary , and that ere long the storm of war would burst over his little territory . Every preparation for resistance being made , on the 28 th of October , 1476 , the Knights in full assembly renewed their oath on the Cross , to shed their last drop of blood in its defence ; at the same time
investing the Grand Master with absolute authority . In the spring of 1480 , the Turkish armament appeared off Ehodes : the fleet consisted of 160 large vessels , besides numerous smaller ones , bearing , irrespective of sailors , 60 , 000 soldiers . This force was'landed , and to opposeit were but the Knights and some 16 , 000 soldiers of all nations ,
including the native militia , of whom many were Jews . The heroic defence of Ehodes , when we consider the disparity of the opposing forces , renders its siege one of the . most remarkable in history . In a final assault , which was headed by the Turkish general-in-ehief , the besiegers were completely routed ; and after a siege of 89 days , notwithstanding the immense artillery employed , they abandoned the
enterprise ; The Grand Master , who had in person repelled this last assault , was borne to his palace covered with wounds . To commemorate this glorious event , three churches were built in Ehodes , one of them being dedicated to St . Mary of Victory . Mohammed died in course of the ensuing year , and D'Aubusson in 1503 . Emeric d'Amboise
was elected Grand Master , and being in France at the time of his election , the king presented him with the sword Saint Louis had borne in his crusades . Having no matters now to engage them on land , the Knights made several expeditions by sea , and captured many Egyptian vessels . D'Amboise died in 1512 , and Guy de
Blanchefort was elected ; he was in France at the time , and departed for Ehodes , hut was seized with illness on his way , and died off Zante . Fabricio Caretto , the admiral of the Order , was immediately chosen Grand Master . The Emperor of the Turks , Bnjazet ,
who had succeeded Mohammed , died , it was supposed , of poison administered by . his son Selim , who made some preparations to attack Ehodes , but he died in 1520 . His son Solyman , who was surnamed the " Magnificent , " and who was doubtless the greatest of-the Ottoman sultans , succeeded quietly to the throne . He determined to attempt the subjugation of Ehodes , but was compelled first to subdue an irruption in his own dominions , and while so engaged the Order lost its Grand Master .
There was a contest for the election of Grand Master , and the result was the choice of Philip Yilliers de I'Isle Adam , Grand Prior of France . Solyman , at his accession , seeing that the only points in which the Ottoman arms had been hitherto foiled were Ehodes and Belgrade , from both which places Mohammed had been repulsed
with dishonour , selected them at once as objects of his attack Belgrade , at that time thought one of the strongest fortresses in Europe , was compelled to submit to the overwhelming strength ot the Turkish force : and notwithstanding the terms of the capitulation , the garrison was put to the sword . The next year an immense von . iv . r