The inquisition in Malta (13) : the Knights' bitterness

Abstract

Even more than the Maltese population, the Inquisitor was looked upon by the Grand Master and the Knights with obvious bitterness. He was not misled by their compliments and official respect. Official correspondence did not reflect this bitterness; but private letters and other communications did. Confidential correspondence can still be traced. Private letters by Inquisitors to their friends in Italy or official ones to the Secretary of State in Rome witness their complaints against the Knights. On the other hand, the Knights very often wrote biting and relentless words against most Inquisitors. But they had to be sure that the Inquisitor did not come across their letters. In a way or another, the Knights made it clear that the Inquisitor's presence was not welcome.