In 1522, the Order of St John had been driven away from Rhodes by the Ottoman Empire. After some time the Knights were instead given the Maltese Islands by Carl the 5th of Spain.

Since their early days in the Holy Lands, the Knights had re-emerged as a sea power. After resettling in Malta, the Order continued making raids on non-Christian shipping. Suleiman was determined to conquer Europe, but Malta was a torn in his back.

The control of the sea and seaports at this age was fundamental for the control of commerce and empires. In the Mediterranean, navigating the sea was also the fastest method of communication at that time.