This year marks the 450th anniversary of the Great Siege of Malta, and celebrations are focussing remembrance of the event, rather than the victory, in order to bring both faiths closer together.
“This anniversary is a question of getting both sides looking at a future together. This more or less happened in Germany during the end of WW2 commemoration, where the USA and Germany commemorated the event, looking forward together. Honouring a 450 year old victory is historically interesting, however in real terms it is far more interesting to see both civilisations look towards the future and find common grounds in a peaceful manner,” Dr Farrugia Randon explained. As his former position as President of the Order in Malta, he said he took an active role in formulating this way of looking at the Great Siege. He explained that government loved the idea when first hearing it. “Both sides were united in this concept and I hope it is successful”.
Turning to the events that led to the Knights arrival in Malta, the historian explained that without Suleiman, there would have been no deValette and no Great Siege.
The story dates back to Rhodes, before the Knights came to Malta. They ruled Rhodes for over 200 years. “There was a lot of fighting with the Ottomans and there were two heavy sieges on Rhodes against the knights. The first was not successful, but the second, which was personally led by Suleiman the Magnificent, was successful”.
“It was a lengthy and bloody siege. There was almost a stalemate between both sides, even though the Ottoman side was far stronger. It was a question of time, and it was obvious that the Knights would eventually lose”.
“Suleiman could have just waited and waited, and destroyed the whole island. But sometimes one grows to admire the other side, for their courage shown and bravery exhibited. He admired the Knights, and in particular the Grandmaster Philippe de Villiers de L'Isle-Adam (who would become the first Grandmaster in Malta). And so he offered the Knights two options – the first was the complete slaughter of all the Knights as well as the inhabitants of Rhodes including the elderly and children. This had been done before in other places so it was not just a threat. The other alternative was – should the Knights capitulate, then the Knights would be free to leave Rhodes on their vessels, taking everything they wanted (Art, money…) and as many people from Rhodes as they wanted within 12 days. He also told them that if they did not have enough vessels, then he would provide them with some to leave”.
“It was not an easy decision as the Knights felt that bravery was in play. The people of Rhodes were very worried as they knew of the terms. The Bishop of Rhodes pleaded with the Grandmaster to capitulate. It was not an easy decision, and one which was not immediately taken. The Sultan’s emissary had been sent back many times, however L’Isle Adam then told the Chapter General that for the sake of the innocent people, they had to capitulate”.
“Did Suleiman keep his word? Literally to the letter. He had a strange admiration for L’Isle Adam and it is said that when, at one point, he ventured on land, he told his bodyguards not to worry as his greatest protection is the word of the Grandmaster, who gave him his word he would be protected”.
“This great sense of admiration can be seen in the terms given. The Official Historian of the Order, Giacomo Bosio, wrote in great detail of the terms given. De Valette was one of the Knights fighting in Rhodes. He was quite a troublesome character having been in prison a few times for bad behaviour, but he gave his whole life to the Order and never returned to his homeland. We have made a great hero of him, which he was, however he is still a character who needs to be studied well in terms of his human failings”.
Bosio mentions 50 ships leaving Rhodes, witharound 4,000 people in all, Dr Farrugia Randon said, “However eyewitness statements from the time recalled around 3,000. Did they all come to Malta – definitely not. When the Knights left Malta, they wandered for seven years. A lot of people settled in the stop-over areas. Jean Francesco Abela, who wrote in the 1600s, wrote that around 500 people had come to Malta, and I think this number did not include the Knights. Some were Greek and some Latin. What is interesting is that one of the persons who came to Malta was a certain notary, who went by the name Preca and was most probably an ascendant of Dun Gorg Preca. One could say that even the sense of nobility and character of Suleiman the Magnificent also made it possible for us to acquire our first Saint”.