| CODE | LAS2083 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Witchcraft and the Inquisition in Malta | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | H - Higher Level | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Centre for the Liberal Arts and Sciences | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This unit explores the history of witchcraft and popular magic in Malta during the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, with particular attention to the social, cultural, and religious environment of the islands under the rule of the Knights of St John. Through the study of surviving records from the Roman Inquisition of Malta, students will examine how Maltese witchcraft developed into a distinctive form of popular belief and practice that differed in important ways from the better-known witchcraft traditions of mainland Europe. A major theme of the unit is the influence of Malta’s geographical position in the Mediterranean. Situated between Christian Europe and Muslim North Africa, Malta became a point of cultural contact and exchange. The unit will analyse how this environment contributed to the development of hybrid magical practices that combined Christian and Islamic elements. Students will study how invocations of Christ, saints, and the Virgin Mary were often used alongside charms, talismans, incantations, and rituals associated with Muslim traditions. Particular attention will be given to the role played by slaves, freedmen, sailors, merchants, and foreigners in spreading and transmitting magical knowledge across cultural boundaries. The unit will also investigate the urban character of witchcraft in Malta. Unlike many European societies where witchcraft accusations were more common in isolated rural villages, most Maltese cases emerged from the harbour cities of Valletta, Birgu, and Senglea. These busy urban centres attracted diverse populations involved in trade, naval activity, and migration. Students will explore how densely populated neighbourhoods created conditions in which magical practitioners became important figures within everyday life. The services they offered—including healing, love magic, fortune-telling, protection rituals, and remedies for personal problems—demonstrate the practical role of magic in Maltese society. Another important focus of the unit is the role of the Roman Inquisition. Students will examine how the Inquisition investigated, prosecuted, and recorded cases of witchcraft and superstition. By analysing trial records, the unit will reveal how accusations were often connected to social tensions, personal disputes, jealousy, gossip, and competition between neighbours rather than simply fear of demonic activity. This allows students to understand witchcraft not only as a religious issue but also as a reflection of broader social relationships and anxieties within early modern communities. The unit will further explore the social background of both the accused and the accusers. Students will study how individuals from different classes and occupations became involved in witchcraft cases, including women associated with healing, midwifery, and traditional medicine. The course will examine why certain individuals became vulnerable to suspicion and how gender, reputation, and social influence affected accusations. Attention will also be given to educated individuals and respected members of society who occasionally participated in magical practices despite official Church opposition. Finally, the unit highlights the broader significance of witchcraft within Maltese history and identity. By studying the interaction between religion, folklore, superstition, and cultural exchange, students will gain a deeper understanding of Malta as a Mediterranean crossroads shaped by multiple civilizations. The study of witchcraft therefore provides insight not only into beliefs about magic and the supernatural, but also into everyday life, social tensions, religious authority, and intercultural relations in early modern Malta. Overall, this unit demonstrates that Maltese witchcraft was far more than a simple imitation of European traditions. Instead, it developed as a complex and distinctive system of belief shaped by Malta’s strategic location, cosmopolitan urban society, and continuous interaction between different religious and cultural communities. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the unit the student will be able to: • Demonstrate knowledge of the origins and development of witchcraft beliefs in Malta; • Explain the cultural and religious influences that shaped magical practices on the island; • Describe the role of inquisitorial trials in revealing popular beliefs and social attitudes; • Identify the principal social and geographical contexts in which witchcraft accusations occurred; • Recognise the significance of witchcraft within Malta’s historical and cultural identity. 2. Skills By the end of the unit the student will be able to: • Evaluate historical sources and interpret inquisitorial records; • Compare cultural and social influences shaping historical beliefs and practices; • Apply critical thinking skills when assessing historical evidence and testimonies; • Communicate historical information clearly and effectively in written and oral forms; • Apply research and analytical skills to broader historical and cultural contexts. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Fieldwork and Seminar | |||||||||
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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