Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/247

Rh The following inscription was placed on his tomb in the church of St. John at Rhodes:—

“Rhodiorum Deer: Averni Eq. Posuerunt.

“Philiberto Dc Naillac, S. Nq. H.M.M.M. Quod Imitutione Henrici Sehiegmihoit Equitis Germani Qui Timure Scytharum Rege Asiam Occupante In Continenti Caria Se Munire Vallo Contra Barbaros Ausus Fuit Ex Mausolei Ruinis Arcem Et Propugnacula In Halicarnasso Struxit.

“Novam Cond: Urbem Justit-Que Dedit Gentes Frcenare Superbas.

“By a decree of the Rhodians the Knights of Auvergne have erected this monument.

“To Philibert do Nailac, Grand-Master of the Holy Militia of Jerusalem. After the design of Henry Schlegmlhoit, knight of the German langue”, he dared to raise entrenehments, whilst Timour, the king of the Scythians, overran Asia. He built a citadel and fortress in Halicarnassus from the ruins of the Mausoleum.

“He was able by his justice to build a new city and to restrain proud nations.”

The rule of his successor, Antonio Fluvian (or, as the name is sometimes given, La Rivière), although it extended over a period of sixteen years, was marked by but few events of political importance. Dangers, indeed, threatened on every side, but none developed into really active mischief. On the one side was the new emperor, Mourad II., who had recently ascended the throne of his father, Mohammed I., and had so consolidated the Ottoman power as to become a very formidable neighbour; on the other was the Mamelouk sultan of Egypt, whose enmity was at that time even more threatening than that of Mourad.

This prince invaded Cyprus in the year 1423. The Order of St. John rendered every assistance in its power to the king, James de Lusignan, but its efforts were unsuccessful. The combined forces of Rhodes and Cyprus were defeated in a decisive action by the Egyptian sultan, and Lusignan was taken prisoner. In spite of this defeat the knights continued the struggle. Their interest in the island was not, it must be admitted, purely disinterested. One of the richest commanderies in their possession was situated there, and they strained every