Life and death in mid-sixteenth century Malta : a study of the acts of notary Brandano Caxaro, NAV MS 719/1

Abstract

Chapter I of this dissertation is an introduction which provides a historical background of the Mediterranean and the Maltese islands during the 16th century. It also details the life and work of notary Brandano Caxaro, and details an analysis of the manuscript used for this study. Chapter II provides a detailed account on the city of Mdina and its municipality, the Universita’. It also provides details on the different notable families who resided in Mdina, the Mdina Cathedral Chapter and a number of religious orders which were based and functioned in Mdina. Chapter III details the geographical features of the Maltese islands during the 16th century according to the written texts of early modern scholars such as Jean Quintin d’Auntun (Quintinus) and Gian Francesco Abela. It also focuses on the historical factors of the parishes of Birkirkara, Naxxar, Siggiewi and the dependency of Hal Luqa. Chapter IV provides details on Maltese society and economy during the 16th century. Included within this chapter are aspects of categorisation of the society, structuring of families, the role of women, the notion of death and religion and the Maltese economy during the century. Chapter V is a general conclusion which sums up the mentioned aspects throughout each chapter, with some final notes and conclusions.