Heraldry of the Rhodian Knights, formerly in Smyrna Castle

The two white marble slabs shewn below (Figs. 2, 3), originally in the castle of S. Peter at Smyrna, are now built into the circular court of the prison, high up, facing the entrance from the street. I was first apprised of their whereabouts by the late Dr. Weber, who himself published them in the somewhat inaccessible ῾H μερολόγιον τῆς ᾿Αμαλθεἰας. For access to the prison I am indebted to the kindness of Mr. E. Harris, Consul-General of the United States.The history of the castle need not long occupy us here. It is sufficient to say that it dated from the capture of Smyrna in 1344 by a combined Christian fleet under Jean de Biandra, Prior of Lombardy, and was held by the Papacy till 1374, when it was transferred to the Knights of S. John (Grand Master de Julliac) by Gregory XI. In 1392 it was repaired for the Order by Domenico d'Allemagna, Admiral of Rhodes, at the charges of G. M. de Heredia, again by G. M. de Naillac in 1398, and finally stormed by Timur in 1399. It was never recovered by the Knights, who are said to have built the new castle of S. Peter (Budrum) to replace it as a mainland stronghold.