The Grand Magister d' Aubusson
Pierre d' Aubusson (1423-1503) was one of the most dynamic Grand Magisters of the Order of the Knights of St. John. He was distinguished mainly for the successful defense of Rhodes during the siege of 1480 by Ottoman troops.
He was born in 1423 in Monteil-au-Vicomte of Auvergne in central France. He entered the Order of St. John around 1450 and after several years of service was proclaimed on 8 June 1476 as the fortieth Grand Magister of the Knights of Rhodes.
Anticipating a major Turkish attack, he himself assumed the general direction of the fortification works, as he had considerable knowledge in engineering.
In May 1480, he led the defense of Rhodes during the siege and successfully repelled the powerful Ottoman forces. For this victory and for the diplomatic role he had played in the detention of Prince Cem, brother of Sultan Bayezid, as well as for the good administration of the islands, he was ordained a cardinal by Pope Innocent in 1489 and was honored with the title of Legate of Asia.
P. d'Aubusson died on July 3, 1503 in Rhodes. Due to the existence of his coat of arms on various structures, we know of his extensive building and fortification work.
