A History of the Crusades Last of eight programmes presented by Malcolm Billings With the loss of Acre in 1291, crusading moved offshore. The main base was Cyprus, although Rhodes and, later, Malta were home to the Knights Hospitaller of St John. These warrior-monks remained a powerful presence in the Mediterranean, raiding Muslim shipping from their well-preserved fortress city of Valletta, until their defeat by Napoleon in 1798. Even so, their spirit lives on in the work of organisations such as the St John Ambulance Brigade. Elsewhere, too, the crusading spirit inspires contemporary Christian movements and provides a continuous link with those who first heard the Pope's call back in 1095. Series consultant
PROFESSOR JONATHAN RILEY-SMITH Producer CHRISTOPHER STONE Stereo (e)