I have been reading a lot about the Knights of Malta (as they came to be known) and what interests me is the fact that even for centuries after the original crusades ended they continued to fight using ships and joing every christian alliance the could. Did any other of the crusader orders continue to fight in the same way as the Knights of Malta did or were they unique? Side note: Can anyone recoment me some good books about any later crusades and books on the Knights of malta between 1400-1798??
The fervor for the crusader movement did not end with the removal of the Latins from the Levant. But if we define the Crusades as going to the Holy Land then we must acknowledge that the crusader movement had ended by 1291 with their defeat at Acre.
I would suggest reading Jonathon Riley Smith's book on the Hospitallers.
The Hospitallers were an interesting group. They were essentially the Templars older brothers, but modern history does not seem to care.
I am currently writing my thesis for my masters in art history on the Hospitaller church at Abu Ghosh. I would be happy to give you more sources if you are interested.