assistance to weary pilgrims after their very dangerous
and harrowing journeys: the Fraternity of the Hospital
of Saint John the Baptist in Jerusalem. Through the
centuries it expanded its hospitaller works but by force
of circumstances extended its mission to the protection
of pilgrims and the defense of Christendom. Through
centuries under pressure of expanding Islamic power
it moved from Jerusalem, to Acre, then in 1310 to
Rhodes. At the beginning of 1523, after a long siege by
the Ottoman Turks, it withdrew from Rhodes. In 1530 it
settled in Malta.
HYLAND
