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Rare plan of Margat, an important stronghold and safe place for Pilgrims making their way to Jerusalem, starting with the 1st Crusade crica 1100 AD, from Badoin's Histoire Des Chevaliers De l'Ordre De S.Jean Par I Baudoin, published in Paris in 1629.
The plan showns Margat as a walled town on the top of hill, above the town of Valanie. Windmills, wooded areas, creatures, small hamlets, a farmer, a weeping woman and a knight on horseback are shown on the hillside below Margat where the town's canons are blazing and its flags, a simple white cross on a dark background, are flying. Includes the Order of the Knight's of St. John's coat of arms with three fleur de lys surmounted by a crown and with the eight pointed cross behind. In the lower right corner is a further coat of arms showing a lion with three stars above and three crescent moons.
The Knights Hospitaller (also known as the Order of St. John of Jerusalem) is a tradition which began as a Benedictine hospitaller religious order founded in Jerusalem following the First Crusade around 1100. The order was was responsible for the care and protection of pilgrims to the Holy Land. Margat was a base of power for the Hospitallers; its location on the hill well above sea level in modern day Syria (between Tripoli and Latakia) and overlooking the Mediterranean being a distinct advantage.
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