Two+Crosses

Where did the eight-pointed cross come from?  Most people would say Amalfi, but the white cross on the breast of the black robes was never defined until 1130. Artists impressions of the knights of St John at least up to the Second Crusade show a wide-ended crusader cross on the Hospitallers’ shields. There is no evidence to say that the cross of Amalfi in the 11th century was eight-pointed. But Amalfi was supporting the work of St John until at least the mid-12th century and during this time its emblems began to change…  The symbols in Amalfi’s coinage changed from an Arabian geometric design (of four inwardly-facing arrow-heads) into a Christianised version (an eight-pointed cross). A version of this cross is seen in the flag of Amalfi today:

 From the mid-12th century onward, the Hospitallers were known for wearing the eight-pointed cross, and it is similar to the cross used on Amalfitan coinage. But it’s interesting to note that the rectilinear star-cross as seen on today’s Amalfitan flag wasn’t used by the Order until at least 1510, during their last days on the Island of Rhodes. What did the Knights Hospitaller wear?  Until 1248, the Order’s militia wore a black cloak with a white cross over their armour. But after Pope Innocent IV’s approval, Knights Hospitaller began wearing a red surcoat, emblazoned with a plain white cross. These devices now appear on our current coat of arms.