The Sieges of Rhodes 1480 and 1522

This is Jonathan Davies' new study of the epic sieges of Rhodes. Often overshadowed by the later Siege of Malta, these Ottoman sieges of the Knights of St John (Hospitallers) base happened during a transitional period in the history of siege warfare. 

  

The 1480 Siege of Rhodes was Sultan Mehmed II's attempt to capture the island of Rhodes from the Knights. The Ottomans launched a large-scale assault, with a fleet and an army numbering in the tens of thousands. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the Knights, led by Grand Master Pierre d'Aubusson, mounted a fierce defence. After several weeks of intense fighting, including a failed final assault on the city's walls, the Ottomans were forced to withdraw. The Knights' successful defence was celebrated across Europe as a significant victory against the expanding Ottoman Empire.

In 1522, Sultan Suleiman, the Magnificent (Lawgiver), returned to finish the job. Unlike the previous siege in 1480, the Ottomans launched a massive, well-coordinated assault with an estimated force of 100,000 men and a large fleet. The Knights, led by Grand Master Philippe Villiers de L'Isle-Adam, mounted a determined defence. Still, after six months of intense fighting, they were overwhelmed by the sheer numbers and firepower of the Ottomans. Facing inevitable defeat and severe casualties, the Knights negotiated a surrender. Suleiman allowed the surviving Knights and citizens to leave the island with their lives and belongings. The Knights later relocated to Malta, where they established a new stronghold.

The author starts with a brief overview of the strategic position in the eastern Mediterranean before quickly moving on to the strength of this book, how sieges were undertaken and military engineering. The Ottoman bombards were cast from bronze that was easier to manufacture and transport. Here is one in the Royal Armouries Museum at Fort Nelson I visited last year.

The 1480 siege failed due to poor planning, arguably something of an afterthought. Mehmet was occupied on many fronts at the time. In addition, the defence was skillfully led, perhaps more important than the divine intervention claimed by the chroniclers! The Order had been preparing for this siege for 40 years, although the power of Ottoman artillery did considerable damage to the medieval fortifications.

By 1522, the Order had begun to upgrade the defences in line with the latest thinking,. However, it wasn't until after the siege that the new Trace Italienne system was fully developed. Interim measures, as you can see here in Scotland at Tantallon, kept the bombards further away. Artillery was also improving, particularly cast iron ammunition, and the Ottomans had both types at the 1522 siege.

The armies deployed in the 1522 siege are described, with more detail on the Ottomans than the Order. There are colour plates of the standards used by both sides, although surprisingly for this series, no colour plates of the troops, other than the fine Janissary on the cover. There are many other studies of the Ottomans with colour plates.

Finally, a detailed description of the siege. Numbers are always challenging, with the order possibly fielding up to 16,000 men and the Ottomans up to 100,000. The difference between the two sieges was Sulieman's better planning and determination to continue the siege beyond the normal campaigning season.

Overall, this is an excellent and very readable study of the sieges. Highly recommended.

Sieges are difficult to replicate on the tabletop. The best attempt I have seen recently is the board game, Fire and Stone, which covers the later Siege of Vienna. For figure games, sorties, make good quick games.

My take on an Ottoman siege camp in 28mm.