The Correspondence of Grand Master Martin Garzes 1595 - 1601

Abstract

The present dissertation attempts to study various aspects of Grand Master Martin Garzes's magistracy between 1595 and 1601 as they emerged from his in-coming and outgoing correspondence during these years. These are the main primary sources which had been consulted. During this period, the Order of St John was not always free to act as it willed. It was, to a large extent, conditioned by prevailing forces in and around Malta. Dependence on Sicily and the Papacy had imposed permanent limitations on its freedom of action. Chapter one discusses the various intercessions from a number of dignitaries on behalf of others for admission into the Order and for particular favours. Chapter two deals with the state of the Order's priories and commanderies at the very end of the sixteenth century and with the many pretensions entertained by several members of the European nobility as regards this property. Chapter three shows to what extent the Order's jurisdiction was curtailed both locally, by two rival authorities, and abroad, by secular and ecclesiastical tribunals. Chapter four concentrates on the difficulties encountered in the acquisition of provisions from nearby Sicily. Chapter five focuses on the constant need felt by the Order to be adequately protected, even by outside agencies, against a Muslim attack. It also deals with the recurrent issue of the corso.