Between Africa and Europe : corsairing activities and the Order of St John in Malta

Abstract

Documentary evidence for the existence of corsairing activities in Malta dates back to the High Middle Ages when the Maltese, as Muslims, preyed on Christian vessels and coastal settlements. In later times, when the Maltese population was re-converted to Christianity, the Muslims, fell victims to Maltese corsairs based in the ports of Malta and Gozo. The Maltese corsairs continued to strengthen their role in this industry and apparently made a profitable trade from their corsairing activities. The chronicler of the Order of St John Iacopo Bosio recalls how in 1467 a Maltese corsair perished in a sea battle against the galleys of the Knights who were then established on the island of Rhodes. However as an integral part of the Christian Kingdom of Sicily, since at least 1127, Maltese corsairs were subject to the same government regulations that were applied in Sicily. This meant, in practice, that owners of vessels had to ensure that no Christian shipping was attacked or in any way molested. Available evidence, quoted by Godfrey Wettinger, seems to suggest that Maltese captains of corsairing vessels made a very profitable trade from the activity. Some like the De Armenia had, by the early sixteenth century, even developed a family reputation as corsairs. In short corsairing, or licensed privateering, had been practised in Malta long before the advent of the Order of St John in 1530. Nonetheless the presence of the Knights definitely boosted the trade and led to an increase in the number of vessels operating from Malta.