[Antoninus]

All I said is that the Crusades were focused on the Turkish (mostly) ruled world of Islam. The Arabs were subjects of the Turks - Mulsims they all were regardless. So that is why I said the Crusades did not keep Europe from speaking Arabic.

Right. They kept Europe from speaking Arabic and Turkish.

[CitadelArmyJag]

The best books available about the Siege of 1565 are "The Great Siege" by Ernle Bradford and a firsthand account by one of the Spanish Arquebusquers sent by Phillip II named Francisco Balbi. I highly recommend both of those books to anybody interested in the subject.

Also, to anybody who is interested in the siege who has never visited the island, many of the original fortresses of Malta remain on the island. It is an AMAZING spot to spend several days for anybody interested in this period of history.