The Turks dig tunnels underneath the walls in order either to enter the city, or to blow up parts of the walls, while the Knights, in turn, dig counter-tunnels and stop them in most cases. Meanwhile, the city is continuously bombed by the Turkish huge cannons, and, as supplies seem to finish up, the people’s morale is falling.

However, the price is higher for the Turks, who already count 15,000 to 20,000 dead, while Christians only 200. The sultan is greatly disappointed and the idea of breaking the siege crosses his mind. What stops these thoughts is some information by an Albanian fugitive, as well as the treason of the Order’s Great Chancellor Andre d’Amaral, which both assure him of the deplorable state of the besieged. Eventually, both acts of treason are discovered and both traitors are executed, before the latter fulfills his promise to open the gates of the city to the Turkish army.

After four months, the siege has degraded both sides, and at this time the Turks, aware of the defenders’ low morale, throw arrows with proclamations into the city, promising Rhodians that, in case they surrender, they will be treated with every respect as for religion and peace, otherwise, entering by force will be followed by slaughter and slavery. At first, the Knights had no such intention by any means; later, however, under the pressure of people’s demand and after the fall of the Bastion of Spain to the hands of the enemy, they are forced to accept capitulation and abide by the terms of the treaty, on 22nd December 1522.

The terms were: the Hospitallers were allowed to depart, taking along their weapons and any goods they desired. Whoever else desired to leave would be able to do so within three years. The churches would not be desecrated and religion would be respected. The Sultan would grant exemption from taxes for five years, during which time there would be no “tribute of children” either.

However, the Turkish soldiers did not respect the treaty, which was eventually followed by violence and looting. This war had cost to Turks 50,000 dead, while to Christians 2,000. The other islands capitulated one after the other. The city of Rhodes was surrendered but never taken by force.