ABSTRACT
The island of Leros marked the northernmost outpost of the Hospitaller's territory in the Aegean from 1314 to 1522. Most of the Dodecanese islands were part of this state, with the city of Rhodes on the island of the same name as its capital city. During their 213 year-rule, the Knights of St John of Jerusalem built many castles and rebuilt or converted ancient as well as Byzantine castles and fortifications. In total they possessed some 250 to 270 castles, fortified towns, strongholds and towers in their Aegean territory. In 1319, 12 years after Rhodes had become the Hospitaller's new residence and capital, the Knights were confronted with a rebellion on the island of Leros, which had been incorporated into the administrative district of Kos, the large island to the south of Leros. The inhabitants of Leros demanded to be returned to Byzantine rule; they revolted and killed the members of the Hospitaller's garrison on the island.
