Dejma

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]

Dejma
Id-Dejma
The Dejma Cross in Luqa
Founded1462
Disbanded1698
Leadership
Chief of DefenseGrand Master of the Knights Hospitaller

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
  1. "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.
  2. Bachrach, Bernard S., "Verbruggen's "Cavalry" and the Lyon-Thesis", Journal of Medieval Military History, Woodbridge, UK: Boydell and Brewer Limited, pp. 137–163, doi:10.1017/upo9781846154812.009, retrieved 2021-09-17
  3. Miklosich, Franz; Muller, Josef, eds. (2012), "Diplomata et acta ecclesiae et civitatis Monembasiensis", Acta et Diplomata Graeca Medii Aevi Sacra et Profana, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 154–190, doi:10.1017/cbo9781139176736.007, ISBN 9781108044547, retrieved 2021-09-17
  4. miklem (2018-01-17). "It-Torri tal-Għassiewi". Il-Miklem. Retrieved 2021-09-17.
  5. "P", 1988, De Gruyter, pp. 891–946, 1988-12-31, doi:10.1515/9783112418147-020, ISBN 9783112418147, retrieved 2021-09-17
  6. Adinolfi, Isabella (2018-12-18), "La «sacra religione dei morti»", La corte della Niobe, I libri di Ca' Foscari, Venice: Edizioni Ca' Foscari, vol. 10, doi:10.30687/978-88-6969-281-9/013, ISBN 978-88-6969-282-6, S2CID 187555968
  7. "The Starting Point", Principles of Fourier Analysis, CRC Press, pp. 17–20, 2001-05-18, doi:10.1201/9781420036909-4, ISBN 9780429129414, retrieved 2021-09-17
  8. 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.
  9. "The Great Siege - 1565". Visit Malta. Retrieved 2021-09-17.
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