The Order, Its City, and Its Peripheries

A groundbreaking study reveals how the Order of St John reshaped Malta's landscape and governance during its first century, challenging feudal structures and redefining the center-periphery dynamic. This transformation allowed the Knights to exert influence over Europe's most powerful courts, demonstrating a strategic approach to land control and urban development that extended beyond local boundaries. The research uses Malta as a case study, analyzing the Order's land policies, city-building efforts, and economic strategies within a broader European context. By dissecting the interplay between Valletta and its hinterland, the study provides new insights into how territorial redefinition can drive geopolitical influence.

Borg, D., & Mifsud, C. (2025). The Order, Its City, and Its Peripheries. The Land and the Cross, 170–188. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003244226-15