Once upon a time in 1798, 1799, 1800 : forgotten stories from the French period in Malta

Abstract

For decades the historical account of the French period in Malta was pure and simple. It followed a consistent narrative that told the story of how Napoleon Bonaparte on his way to Egypt, finding no resistance, disembarked his French troops on the shores of Malta on 10 June 1798, and the Order of St John's rule was over. However, barely three months later, the political, religious, and economic grievances of the Maltese started to be strongly felt and on 2 September 1798 the local population rose against in rebellion; apparently the last straw that broke the camel's back was the looting by the French of the Franciscan Minors church in Rabat and the Carmelite church in Mdina. The Maltese chose their representatives to form a local provisional government. The French were blockaded inside the fortified places and forts around the Grand Harbour. The Maltese sent messengers to Sicily to ask for British help and Admiral Nelson and his Captain Alexander Ball came to help the Maltese. Finally, on S September 1800, General Vaubois surrendered. All interpretations of this story basically agree that the brave Maltese rose up against the French who were the villains in the story and the English helped the Maltese to get rid of the French and then the British period starts. The basic facts from this story in Maltese history seem solid enough and correct; however, as Oscar Wilde was fond of saying, 'The truth is rarely pure and never simple.' [Excerpt from Chapter one]