The art of negotiating an existence : power, faith, society & the Order of St John

Abstract

The Art of Negotiating an Existence: Power, Faith, Society & The Order of St John is an edited collection of twenty-two original interdisciplinary studies exploring the history, culture, and legacy of the Knights Hospitaller (Order of St John). Transitioning from traditional military narratives, the volume examines how power, faith, identity, and community were continuously negotiated across Europe and the Mediterranean. Topics range from medieval defense preparations, early modern diplomacy, devotional renewal, and naval warfare to civic administration, art patronage, medicine, usury, material culture, and modern humanitarian missions. Combining archival research and visual documentation, this volume highlights the interplay between the extraordinary and everyday processes shaping Maltese identity and governance from the late 15th century into the modern era.