Proceedings of history week 2013 : second colloquium on Spanish history

Abstract

Malta's connection with the territories which now make up the Spanish state go back over seven centuries. Drawn into the crown of Aragon after the Sicilian revolt against the French Angevins in 1282, the island's relations with Spain waxed until they reached their climax in the sixteenth century in the field of political and military cooperation. Although these subsequently waned in the face of an increasing French presence, they gave way to strong economic ties in the eighteenth century. With the advent of British rule the Spanish connection became but a distant memory until diplomatic, commercial, and cultural relations were renewed after the island's independence.