The Knights ruled Rhodes for 213 years and became a remarkable period in Rhodian history. Under the Knights command, great houses, churches and fortifications were built. Trade and prosperity were the order of the day.

Much of today's Rhodes Town is dominated by the fortifications and 'Inns' of the various Orders.

The Knights lost their power on the island, after a long siege, to Suleiman the Magnificent in 1522. They were forced to leave and took up a new home on the island of Malta.

The Knights Order had members of three kinds: the Knights themselves, of whom there were never more than 600, with military duties and a background of decent from a noble family; the serving brothers, whose responsibility was for the sick and whose origin was not necessary noble; and the chaplains, who conducted the Order's religious services.

The members of the Order came from all the Catholic countries of Europe, and were divided into seven national and linguistic groups, called 'Tongues' : of Provence, of Auvergne, of France, of Italy, of England, of Germany and of Spain.

Each Tongue had its own Inn and was ruled by a Bailiff and council.

Supreme command was exercised by the Grand Master, elected by the members of the Order for life, and he was assisted in his tasks by a council, composed of the Bailiffs of each Tongue, which had legislative and disciplinary powers.