When the first crusade had conquered Jerusalem in 1099 the knights founded a monastic shelter next to the church of the Holy Grave. It became the St. John of Jersualem's hospital.

The order with its three purposes; religious, caring and military, grew and spread to other European countries. The military aspect came from the main order who looked at themselves as an independent state and thought it needed to be able to defend itself.

The Muslims reconquered Jerusalem and the St. John were forced to move; first to Acre (1291) and later to Rhodos (1308). The Turks drove them away from Rhodos in 1522 and eight years later they were offered the little island between Sicily and Tunisia by Emperor Karl V. It was here their special eight pointed cross got its name: Maltese.

The St. John-order arrived to England during the 12^th century and grew up on several places with its headquarters in Clerkenwell; the monastery is built 1140. Robert Hales were prior 1371-81, but he was also taking care of the taxes in England. In the latter capacity he issued - for the first time - a poll tax which led to a rebellion among the peasants, the monastery got burnt down and Hales lost his head.

In England the order was dissolved by Henry VIII 1540 together with the Reformation; the Clerkenwell monastery were handed over to the nobility. Malta seazed to obey under the knightorder when Napoleon Bonaparte captured the island 1798. The Pope gave the order a free zone in Rome where it still exists with the name The Indipendant Military Order St. John, of Rhodos, of Malta.

To the north, and close by, of St. John's Square is the modern and sterile monastery church, but beneath it is the oldest remaining of the original monastery; the crypt from the 12^th century, and to see it you have to join a guided tour.

In a chapel just beside it is the grave with the remarkable, almost skeleton like portrayal of William Weston, who died 1540 by a broken heart when he heard the convent were to be dissolved.

The monastery is open for the public at the following hours:
Tuesday, Friday and Saturday at 10.00 am - 6.00 pm
Guided tours at 11.00 am, and 2.30 pm.