The Grand Master’s Palace
This magnificent palace was among the first important buildings erected soon after the Order established itself in the new city of Valletta in 1571. Gradually, the Magisterial Palace developed into an imposing architectural structure, serving as the Order’s administrative centre and military headquarters for over 200 years. The Palace was the official residence of all successive Grand Masters until the Knights left Malta in 1798. Here, the Grand Master and his Council formally held court, and decided state matters, and all military, religious and financial issues. The piano nobile, or upper floor, was reserved for the Supreme Council Chamber, the Magisterial household apartments and the Palace Armoury. The ground floor housed the Palace Guard, the servants’ quarters, the kitchens and other palace services. The two ground floor halls presently housing the Armoury collection were originally the Palace stables. Here were kept horses of the Grand Master’s mounted bodyguard; the carriage horses and baggage mules, while an adjoining area was reserved for the Grand Master’s carriages.
The Palace Armoury
In 1604, Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt (1601-22) transferred the Order’s main arsenal into the Palace. Originally the arsenal was kept in the building opposite the Palace across Piazza San Giorgio; however, as the Order acquired large consignments of new arms, this arsenal soon proved inadequate. The new Armoury was duly housed in the large, magnificent hall at the rear of the Palace building, above the stables. Immediately on entering the Palace, the Armoury took on an added importance. Running the entire length of the building, it was one of the largest armoury halls in existence. Referred to by the Knights as the “Sala d’Armi del Palazzo”, it was the pride of the Order, gradually taking on more of a spectacular “show-piece” role. The Grand Master and the Knights took every opportunity to show off their imposing armoury to all foreign delegates and important visitors, ensuring its inclusion in the Grand Tour of the Island. Apart from being lavishly adorned with numerous impressive arms trophies, essentially as the Order’s main arsenal, it held enough arms to equip thousands of soldiers. However, during the later years of the Order’s rule, due to the serious lack of sufficient funds, the once-famous Armoury fell into neglect.
In 1798, Napoleon seized Malta, and during the troubled two-year French occupation and the early years of British rule, quantities of armour were shipped away. The British Government intended to remove the collection for safekeeping to London; however, this was never fully undertaken. In 1850, the Armoury, by now reduced to a pitiful state, was emptied to make room for thousands of newly-arrived modern British weapons. However, five years later, these new arms were removed by Governor William Reid (1851-58) as part of a rehabilitation plan, and a grand staircase was constructed as a public entrance. In 1857, fortunately, a final attempt to remove the more important pieces to England failed.
Under the direction of Governor Sir Gaspard Le Marchant (1858-64), himself a connoisseur, armour was recovered from where it long lay abandoned and was duly cleaned and rearranged in the Armoury hall and Palace corridors. In 1860, the Armoury was officially opened as Malta’s first public museum. Once more, the Armoury took on some of its former glory. At the turn of the century, in 1902, Governor Lord Grenfel (1899-1903) engaged Guy Francis Laking, a renowned authority on arms and armour and Keeper to the King’s Armoury, to properly classify, catalogue and rearrange the collection. Laking separated the finer pieces from the rest, and reorganised the display in a more pleasing manner. He also duly presented his intriguing catalogue on the Armoury. Very little occurred prior to the Second World War with Laking’s arrangement remaining unaltered. During the War years, the collection was stored elsewhere for safety and, after the War, the Museums Department officially took over responsibility.
In 1969, the Armoury was once more given attention when Unesco appointed experts to conduct a survey on the state of the collection and to submit their recommendations. Moreover, a more complete inventory was duly compiled. Unfortunately, owing to limited resources, the valid advice forwarded by the experts was not fully implemented. Regrettably, in 1975 the unfortunate decision was taken to hastily transfer the entire collection to its present ground floor location, to make way for the new House of Representatives.
Following this major move, no serious improvements were effected. Recently, however, the collection has been given more importance and a lot has been done with a good measure of success. Well-known experts from major armouries and arms museums abroad were consulted and much valid advice was forwarded.
Through contacts established with the Royal Armouries in the UK, in 1995 a team of armour experts from the Tower of London headed by Mr Ian Eaves, Keeper of the Armouries, visited the Palace Armoury. The primary scope of the visit was to identify local pieces with related examples in British collections. During the exercise, several misplaced pieces in the Armoury were happily reunited with matching armours, while on the British side it was confirmed that pieces in the UK termed as “Maltese” had actually come from Malta. A detailed report including relevant advice was duly submitted by the experts. Considerable interest was generated by the highly successful and well-attended exhibition held at the Royal Armouries entitled “Decorated Armour of The Knights of Malta”.
In 1999, another visit was arranged whereby a team of conservation experts from the Royal Armouries Conservation Department, headed by Mr Robert Smith, Head of Collections Care, examined the collection from the conservation point of view. Mr Smith presented a detailed report on the team’s findings as well as recommendations. A much appreciated public talk on armour conservation was presented by the experts. The success of these visits caught the attention of the Bank of Valletta Projects Committee and a generous sponsorship was offered towards the restoration of the main group of armours. In contribution to the project’s success, the Royal Armouries offered their expert conservation services free of charge. Over a five-year programme, the armours were beautifully restored and are now displayed in a more appropriate manner. New display cases and the rearrangement of the exhibits in a chronological order have greatly enhanced the overall presentation.
The Palace Armoury Today
Although now only a fraction of its original splendour, the Palace Armoury certainly ranks among the world’s greatest arms collections. Notwithstanding its troubled past, the collection still contains abundant military material of Italian, German, French or Spanish origin from the principal arms production centres of Europe. One admires the products of the famous armour workshops of Milan, Brescia, Nuremberg, Augsburg, Innsbruck, and other cities. Moreover, the Armoury constitutes a rare example of a working arsenal surviving in its original building, made all the more interesting since it includes, along with the massed arms and armour of the common soldiers, the enriched personal armours and prestigious weapons of the nobility.
The collection comprises a large variety of armour and weapons dating from the 15th century when the Knights still occupied Rhodes, and covering some 300 years of armour development until the Order left Malta in the late 18th century. Serving primarily as the Order’s main arsenal, the extensive range of the Order’s military equipment is immediately evident. The different types of body protection commonly in use during the various periods are well-represented. From the earlier period, mail armour constructed from countless interlinked metal rings is shown, as well as rare Brigandine armour, made from small overlapping steel plates. There are also fine specimens of very rare, early 16th century armour. Taking pride of place here are the splendid Italian “sallet” helmet from around 1500, as well as the pair of gracefully modelled grieves, or leg armour attributed to the renowned Missaglia workshop and another superbly formed close-helmet bearing the mark of the famous Negroli armourers of Milan.
The Order maintained an organised, efficient cavalry and the mounted warrior’s armour is well-represented. Here are rare examples of richly-decorated suits of cavalry full-armour, offering protection from head to foot – normally reserved for the high-ranking Knights. Displayed are two fine chanfrons for protecting the horse’s head. Also presented, are the undecorated, plainer type cavalry three-quarter armours, where heavy leather boots replaced leg defence. The infantry section displays an abundance of light infantry armour, and there are numerous examples of richly decorated and plain half-armours where the legs were normally unprotected. Half-armour was typically used by foot soldiers or lighthorse cavalry, the plainer type being generally worn by companies of infantry pikemen and swordsmen on foot. Displays of fine helmets include various rare visored close helmets, and the lighter, open-faced burgonets and morions reserved for light cavalry and foot soldiers.
A particular section is dedicated to the Great Siege of 1565, when under the able leadership of Grand Master Jean de La Valette, the Knights and Maltese, showing incredible bravery, had alone withstood the formidable Ottoman invasion. Against overwhelming odds and vastly superior forces, they heroically resisted and finally defeated the Turkish invaders. The Great Siege of Malta remains unparalleled in military history. Shown are various examples of 16th century armour typically worn by the Knights during this historic period. Displayed are the finer quality, enriched armour worn by the Knights, as well as the plainer type armour issued to the ordinary troops.
Demanding particular attention are the more important and prestigious armours on display representing the finer quality armour. These exotic works of art would doubtless have belonged to the wealthier Knights, and here the armour decorators’ art is amply displayed on numerous exquisite pieces. Here, the genuine work of the Master Armourer is unmistakable.
Outstanding among these and commanding pride of place are the splendid examples of parade armour which are certainly amazing examples of the expert artisan’s skill.
By far the most ostentatious as regards richness of ornament is the magnificent, gilded parade armour of Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt, said to be the work of the Milanese Master armour decorator, Geronimo Spacini. Another splendid example of the decorator’s art is the impressive half-armour in the typically dynamic fashion of the renowned Pompeo della Cesa. Not less imposing is the full-armour said to be of Grand Commander Jean Jacques de Verdalain. Perhaps finest in this group as regards the Master armourer’s skill is the superb three-quarter suit formerly attributed to Grand Master Martino Garzes, said to be the work of the celebrated German armourer, Sigismond Wolf of Landshut.
Proving the Armoury was indeed a working arsenal, in contrast with the richly decorated pieces, there are numerous examples of plainer, more robust armour specifically designed for training. One sees crudely fashioned, very heavy siege armour, purpose-built to withstand powerful musket shots during perilous siege action and also the so-called cuirassier, or heavy-cavalry variety, with finally, the later, lighter, mounted dragoon armour completing the amazing range.
Quite different to the Western European exhibits, are the distinctly oriental, Turkish arms and armour in the impressive Islamic, Ottoman section. These battle trophies were proudly shown off in the Armoury by the Knights, as proof of their continued crusade against the mighty Ottoman Empire. As shown in the splendid Sipahi cavalry armours on display, Turkish armour was normally made up of a combination of mail and plate armour; making a more flexible type of body protection. The better quality Turkish armour was artfully ornamented and gilded, as is also evident from the fine group of shields. Displayed here are numerous exotic examples of a variety of Turkish weapons including a number of richly ornamented firearms and a large collection of fine Ottoman sabres.
The weapons section boasts an abundant and fascinating variety of edged weapons and firearms. Certainly impressive is the large and varied number of staff weapons or pole-arms. Now only a fraction of the thousands of infantry arms formerly kept in readiness, the bewildering array of halberds, pikes, bills, partisans and other pole-mounted arms is nonetheless still impressive. The swords section likewise displays numerous swords of different types; being particularly rich in splendid 16th and 17th century rapiers from the workshops of the famous Master sword-smiths of Toledo, Valencia, Milan, Passau and Solingen. Also represented are formidable heavy two-handed swords as well as numerous curved sabers and the nobleman’s elegant smallsword.
As regards projectile weapons, the earlier section shows numerous rare early crossbows; while the impressive firearms section presents an interesting variety of early military and sporting guns of the Knights, representing over 200 years of firearm development. The display ranges from the matchlock musket in use during the Great Siege of 1565, and the intriguing wheellock gun, followed with the later, improved flintlock guns as generally adopted by all European nations throughout the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Worth special attention are the finer quality, richly ornamented, personal sporting guns and splendid hunting rifles on display. These incredible works of art amply prove the early gunsmith’s skill, representing the highest level of workmanship. Doubtlessly eagerly acquired by the wealthier Knights, the finer pieces were made by the famous gun makers, Domenico Bonomino, Lazarino Cominazzo, Giovan Beretta, Tulle, St Etienne, Girare and others. There is also a fine collection of attractive Spanish flintlock cavalry carbines, in the typically bold Ripol style; and the impressive group of exquisite flintlock pistols many of which were also made by famous gun makers. Also displayed are a small group of plain flintlock military muskets from the early 1700s and a sizeable collection of rare, early socket bayonets. The artillery section exhibits various examples of large and small, finely decorated bronze canon and mortars. A number of these artful bronzes are splendid examples of the skill of the famous Maltese Trigance brass founders. Also displayed are a number of rare light, breech-loading artillery pieces.
The Palace Armoury is one of the world’s more prominent arms collections, easily placed among the most valuable historic monuments of European culture. Moreover, it is made more important by its historic associations.
The Palace Armoury is certainly one of the most visible and tangible symbols of the past glories of the Sovereign Hospitaller, Military Order of Malta. Aside from its interest to the student of arms and armour, the Armoury is important to the people of Malta in serving to remind both themselves and their many foreign visitors of the vital role played by their island in world history.
Admission ticket to the Armoury includes the services of a multi-lingual audio guide which is part of a pilot project run by Exalta
Article provided by Heritage Malta