The medieval knights of the Knights Hospitaller of Saint John built one of the greatest defensive wonders in medieval history. The fortifications of Rhodes were built on top of preexisting Byzantine walls starting from 1309, the year that they took possession of Rhodes after a three-year struggle. The medieval knights used their military skills and knowledge to build these medieval defenses which are still standing today, centuries later!
Langues of Knights - Medieval warriors who lived under medieval military rules and regulations. They were distinguished by their "tongue" which was the language they spoke.
The defense of different portions of fortifications was assigned to different Langues of Knights. The portions of medieval fortifications were divided by language groups and some Langues, such as the English Langue, assigned their knights to a particular section.
The Knights of Saint John fortified Rhodes by strengthening the existing Byzantine walls. To defend different portions of the fortifications, they put in charge different Langue (tongues) of Knights. For example, for the east face, a post was under the rule of the Grand Master and moving westward the posts were held by France Langue.
The medieval knights used knowledge from medieval warfare manuals and engineering skills which they had acquired in France where they served for years before being sent on the campaign to defend Rhodes against the Ottoman Empire during the late medieval period.
Only some portions of these medieval defenses have been destroyed or renovated over time such as those medieval defenses in Aquila Ridge, while medieval fortifications such as those medieval defenses on the riverbank of Mandraki are still intact.
Like most old fortifications, they were built using a technique called rubble masonry which allows for a solid and durable construction with straight stone walls that are easy to defend against incoming shots.
The medieval knights used their military skills and knowledge to build these medieval defenses which are still standing today centuries later! The medieval knights knew that Rhodes was a gate to the Aegean Sea, and had a vantage position on the trade routes between the West and the East. They planned for medieval defenses that would have medieval defenses against medieval warfare which were medieval warfare signatures that included medieval siege weapons like battering rams as their primary target.
The medieval knights had military experience and skills in medieval warfare manuals which they acquired by serving years before their campaign to defend Rhodes against the Ottoman Empire during the late medieval period. The medieval knights used knowledge from medieval warfare manuals and engineering skills which they had acquired in France where they served for years before being sent on a campaign to defend Rhodes against the Ottoman Empire during the late medieval period.
Did you know that the Knights Hospitaller of Saint John built one of the greatest defensive wonders in medieval history? The knights were responsible for defending different portions of the fortifications, and to do so they divided up their forces into Langues (tongues) that were put in charge. From medieval warfare manuals to engineering skills, these medieval warriors used a variety of knowledge from throughout history to build this amazing fortress which is still standing today centuries later!
