Dejma
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| Dejma | |
|---|---|
| Id-Dejma | |
 The Dejma Cross in Luqa | |
| Founded | 1462 |
| Disbanded | 1698 |
| Leadership | |
| Chief of Defense | Grand Master of the Knights Hospitaller |
The Dejma (Maltese: Id-Dejma) was a 14th century mercenary combatant force dedicated to protect the Maltese Islands in case of an Ottoman raid on one or more of the island's towns.[1][2] The first reference to this was in 1462.[3]
Duties
In the case of an attack on the islands, a fire would be lit on top of the several watchtowers on the Maltese Coast.[4] The smoke from the fire (or the fire itself if it was night) would be seen from other watchtowers, who would do the same. This cycle would be repeated until all of the watchtowers were alerted.[5] Upon seeing the smoke (or fire), the soldiers themselves would meet up at various designated locations around the islands.[6] These locations would be marked by a customary "Dejma Cross" (Maltese Salib Tad-Dejma). Upon arriving, the soldiers would prepare for battle.[7] The civilians, on the other hand would make their way to one of the two fortified cities: Mdina or Cittadella.[8] (Valletta too if the attack occurred after the Great siege.)[9]
References
- ^ "Is-Salib tad-Dejma: a peculiar structure that formed part of the islands' defense during the Middle Ages". www.guidememalta.com. Retrieved 2021-09-17.
- ^ Bachrach, Bernard S., "Verbruggen's "Cavalry" and the Lyon-Thesis", Journal of Medieval Military History, Woodbridge, UK: Boydell and Brewer Limited, pp. 137–163, retrieved 2021-09-17
- ^ Miklosich, Franz; Muller, Josef (eds.), "Diplomata et acta ecclesiae et civitatis Monembasiensis", Acta et Diplomata Graeca Medii Aevi Sacra et Profana, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 154–190, retrieved 2021-09-17
- ^ miklem (2018-01-17). "It-Torri tal-Għassiewi". Il-Miklem. Retrieved 2021-09-17.
- ^ "P", 1988, De Gruyter, pp. 891–946, 1988-12-31, retrieved 2021-09-17
- ^ Adinolfi, Isabella (2018-12-18), "La «sacra religione dei morti»", La corte della Niobe, Venice: Edizioni Ca' Foscari, retrieved 2021-09-17
- ^ "The Starting Point", Principles of Fourier Analysis, CRC Press, pp. 17–20, 2001-05-18, retrieved 2021-09-17
- ^ Farrugia, Carmel Joseph (1995). Polluted politics, 1933-1942 : background to the deportation of Maltese nationals in 1942. [Malta]: Midsea Books. ISBN 99909-975-0-0. OCLC 45639283.
- ^ "The Great Siege - 1565". Visit Malta. Retrieved 2021-09-17.