Prices of commodities in Malta and Gozo, 1530-1630

Abstract

Of the many aspects of Maltese history which have not yet been fully tackled, the study of the economic history of the first one hundred years of the Order's rule in Malta has certainly received least attention. The sixteenth century offers ample attraction to historians especially for its diplomatic, political, military and ecclessiastical developments. In Most works dealing with this period in Maltese history, it is quite traditional to treat this century as a series of personal magistracies of grand masters whilst stressing the importance of such events as the Great Siege of 1565 and the complex and never-ending politico religious conflicts. Whilst the study of the diplomatic, political, military and religious aspects is certainly essential, yet this has often been achieved at the expense of neglecting or of over shadowing the social and economic aspects. This has necessarily curtailed our knowledge about sixteenth century Malta and has presented us with a picture of a narrow section of "Maltese society". Whet was the income of the local workers? From where was this income earned? On what was it spent? What was the general standard of living in Malta? These and other similar questions still await an answer and this may only be achieved after intensive and scientific research in archives, has been carried out.