London’s St Johns Street is bustling and busy, the sun is out without a cloud in sight, bringing all the locals out to enjoy the weather. Inside the Museum of the Order of Saint John, the esteemed Professor Marcus Bull is holding an hour long talk and discussion with Professor William Purkis on his latest book, The Great Siege of Malta. On the second floor of the museum, people enter the beautifully decorated Chapter Hall, some grabbing refreshments before the talk starts, others making their way to buy the book for £30 and getting it signed by Professor Bull before the talk begins. As the seats filled with majority middle aged people, Professor Bull prepares to
Professor Marcus Bull is an esteemed historian and acclaimed professor of Medieval and Early Modern Studies. He graduated from the University of London in 1987 studying History and achieved his PhD in 1991. Bull is renowned for his expertise in medieval history, crusading movements, and the cultural and religious dynamics of Europe and the Mediterranean world. Professor Bull has taught at University of Bristol and Royal Holloway University, while currently teaching Medieval and Early Modern Studies at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
The Great Siege of Malta is a fresh and insightful examination of the 1565 battle when the Knights Hospitaller defended the island of Malta against the Ottoman Empire. The battle is not simply portrayed as a straightforward conflict between the east and the west, but rather, Bull situates the siege within the wider Mediterranean world. He explores the complex political, religious, and cultural forces at play. Diving into the motivations and ambitions of the Knights, highlighting their roles not just as Christian defenders but also as soldiers and manipulators. Through vivid storytelling and analysis, Professor Bull reinterprets one of history’s most dramatic sieges and challenges the myths that have long surrounded it.
“Everyone should read it; it is very informative. Professor Bull is a fantastic historian, and his book is nothing less than captivating and of skilled writing.” Said Paul Foster, a middle-aged Secondary School Teacher.
His daughter, Judy Foster, who arrived slightly late commented: “The Great Siege of Malta is a very good book, the amount of research Professor Bull did is shown in the book. It’s one of the more enjoyable historical books.”
As Professor Marcus Bull finished his talk, he received a round of applause from the members in the audience.
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