Fortresses of The Knights

Fortresses Of The Knights

In the production of books on military architecture, this must be one of the most important to have been written in the last half-century. The choice of the subject is appropriate for the works of the Knights of St John cover a long period stretching over six centuries, these were vital in the emergence of new ideas on defence pitted against changing methods of attack.

“Very rarely does a book emerge that astonishes one. This is such a book. In the production of books on military architecture, this must be one of the most important to have been written in the last half-century. The choice of the subject is appropriate for the works of the Knights of St John cover a long period stretching over six centuries, centuries that were vital in the emergence of new ideas on defence pitted against changing methods of attack.

From the twelfth to almost the nineteenth century, the Knights’ architecture displays nearly all the emerging devices of fortification which were to influence the nations of the west. Considering the size of the Order, it is remarkable that its knights and military engineers were not only capable of keeping abreast of developments, but were able, on so many occasions, to lead the field. They were early in the development of concentric defences, the pentagonal bastion, the caponier, the fougasse, and the counter-mining. At best, their fortresses could rival in effectiveness, splendor, and power, those of any nation. From the castles of Syria and the kingdom of Jerusalem, to Cyprus, to Rhodes and the other Dodecanese islands with their many castles and lookout towers, to Bodrum and on to richness of Malta and Gozo, and across to forlorn Tripoli, the story unfolds in words and dramatic pictures.

This book … is a remarkable tribute to their work … and in (its) pages there is packed a wealth of material illustrated with splendid drawings which do more to explain the characteristics of the architecture than hundreds of written pages of text could possibly do. Stephen Spiteri provides a panorama of the evolution of fortification. His enthusiasm, energy, and remarkable talent shine through these pages. This is a book which every important library, each serious researcher, and all lovers of military architecture must obtain and study.”

By: Stephen Spiteri

Format: full colour,

No of pages: 384

Edition: 2001

Condition: as new