The Shield and the Sword: The Knights of St. John, Jerusalem, Rhodes and Malta

E. P. Dutton, New York, 1973. First Edition. Hardcover (Original Cloth). Very Good Condition/Very Good. Illustrator: Illustrated. Foreword by Quintin Jermy Gwyn, Grand Chancellor of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and Malta, list of maps, four appendices and index. Map illustrated end pages showing a map of the Mediterranean. The text is illustrated with three maps, and, between pages 92 and 93 there are eight pages of black and white photographs and historical illustrations. Gray coloured cloth covered boards with gilt coloured titles to the back strip. Colour illustrated dustwrapper with black and white coloured titles to the front panel and black coloured titles to the back strip. A history of the Knights of St. John, Jerusalem, Rhodes and Malta – more commonly known as the Knights of Malta – from their founding as a hospice on the way to Jerusalem during the Crusades; to the order becoming a military one with the inevitable clashes between themselves and the Muslims. The order became master mariners, navigators and unrivalled builders; and, when they were expelled from their kingdom on Rhodes, they petitioned Charles V for the grant of the island of Malta. It is there is a created immense fortifications; and in 1565 The Grande Turke was sighted to forever rid the area of those "sons of Satan" and the Great Siege of Malta occurred in which the the Knights defeated an overwhelming Turkish might. A little rubbing of the book corners and of the back strip edges. Age toning of the text block edges and find foxing to the top text edge. Rubbing of the dustwrapper edges and panels with some browning of the fold over panels and verso. Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. [5], 6 - 245, [3] pages,. Please refer to accompanying picture (s). Illustrator: Illustrated. Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: Under 1 kilo. Category: History; Religion; Medieval 10th to 15thc; Magic, Paranormal & Occult. ISBN: 0525203133. ISBN/EAN: 9780525203131. Inventory No: 0286985. . 9780525203131