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"In the middle of the seventeenth century, apart from such leading powers and commercial giants as Spain, Portugal, England, France, and the Netherlands, all of a sudden even the minuscule Order of St John joined in the global race for colonies. In 1651 the Order acquired the islands of St Kitts (St Christopher), St. Martin, St Bartholomew, and St Croix, and in the next years, in spite of many obstacles, tried to make them profitable. The history of these events not only sheds light on the international, indeed worldwide, networking of the Order but also on the personal ambitions and greed of a new 'globalized' age. This book presents the long overdue full story of this, until now only scarcely researched, colourful episode in the long and chequered history of the Knights of St John"--Jacket Introduction : the European powers, maritime expansion, and the Order of St. John -- The Caribbean environment -- Commander de Poincy's arrival at St Kitts -- Building a colonial microcosm : harsh methods, nepotism, and ambition -- The Order gets involved : the acquisition of the Caribbean islands -- The islands on the eve of their acquisition by the Order -- Problems, hopes, and prospects -- New administrators -- In the grip of French interests -- Summary and epilogue
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