1300s – 1400s
Arab & Norman Period
Aragonese & Spanish Era
The islands were dominated successively by rulers of Swabia, Anjou, Aragon, and Castile. The local nobility formed a governing body called the Università.
1522
Knights of St John
Knights Expelled from Rhodes
In 1522, Suleiman II drove the Knights from Rhodes. They dispersed across Europe and petitioned Charles V of Spain for new territory.
1530
Knights of St John
The Symbolic Falcon
The Knights were granted Malta by Charles V in exchange for the symbolic annual gift of a Maltese Falcon to the Spanish Crown.
1530
Knights of St John
Knights of St John Arrive
Holy Roman Emperor Charles V granted the Knights Hospitaller the islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino in 1530, beginning a transformative era.
1565
Knights of St John
The Great Siege of Malta
One of the greatest achievements of the Knights was resisting the Great Siege of Malta, fighting off Ottoman troops who tried to invade with double the military might.
