A window on the acts of a Maltese sixteenth-century notary – Placido Abela 1557-1558

Abstract

This paper attempts to provide a snapshot of life in mid-sixteenth century Malta as transmitted through the study of a select number of notarial deeds pertaining to Notary Placido Abela. It is pertinent to note that the short nature of this paper does not permit the author to give a full analysis of the contents of the volumes under study, namely N A V R4/I and MS 514/1. The first part of the paper sets out to highlight the importance of using notarial documentation in the study of history followed by a short biographical sketch of Notary Abela together with an analysis of the primary sources. The final part discusses a number of contracts involving slaves who were mostly acquired through corsairing activities.