Bart Senior wrote:
Between Sicicly and the north east coast of Africa are
a group of islands. The largest of which is Malta.


Never been to Malta, it would be a very interesting place to
visit. I have been to Sicily and it is beautiful. I'd love
to go back and spend more time there.

Your history quote mentioned the seige of Malta by the
Turks, but did not make the point of what an important event
this was. The Knights Hospitaller were a militant order
devoted to fighting Muslims, and the Turkish empire was
expanding both on land & sea power. There were a series of
epic struggles, including the seige of Vienna (land) and the
battle of Lepanto (sea) wherein the balance of power could
have tipped either way.

This article claims that the siege of Valetta, on Malta, was
the last important battle won by knights.
http://www.zum.de/whkmla/military/16cen/malta1565.html

DSK