An evening lecture in partnership with the St John Historical Society.

In the middle of the nineteenth century, an extraordinary cache of late medieval and Renaissance armour was uncovered in the ruins of the Crusader citadel at Rhodes. Defended by the Knights of Rhodes since the fourteenth century, the fortress fell to the Ottomans in 1522. Portions of the Knights’ armoury were walled up and thus preserved until modern times. This talk explores this extraordinary tale of survival, focusing on pieces in the Museum’s collection.

Dr Tobias Capwell is one of the world’s leading experts on European arms and armour. He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers, and was Curator of Arms and Armour at the Wallace Collection between 2006 and 2022. His many publications include Arms and Armour of the Medieval Joust (2018), Masterpieces of European Arms and Armour at the Wallace Collection (2011), and the 3-volume Armour of the English Knight (2015, 2021, 2022). Most recently he worked as historical advisor on the feature film The Lost King (2022).

Tickets are free and must be pre-booked via the Museum’s Eventbrite page. Donations welcome if you can.

This event will take place in the historic Chapter Hall at St John’s Gate, accessible by stairs only. There is a lift which reduces the number of stairs guests need to ascend. For more information on access please visit our access pages here, or email museum@sja.org.uk