Bali de Tigne : Knight of Malta, commisioner of fortifications and military engineer (1716-1801)

Abstract

Vauban's efforts to raise the quality of military engineering practice in early modern Europe produced one of the most respected corps of military engineers in France called the Royal Engineering Corps. As was custom in the 17th and 18th century, foreign engineers were often invited by European countries on military consultancy, as was frequently the case in Malta. In this respect, the fortification scenario of 18th century Malta was honoured by the service of a number of lngenieurs de Roi, including Rene Jacob de Tigne and Francois-Rene Jacob de Tigne Two distinct Ottoman threats brought these two French engineers, uncle and nephew, to our shores. By the 18th century the distinction between military consultants and resident engineers, in the context of planning and administration of the Hospitaller knights, was not sharply drawn. Towards the end of 1716, under the direction of Brigadier de Tigne, most fortification plans had been formulated so that the continuous need for foreign advice, which was so popular in the 17th century, gradually declined. As commonly happened, the urge to defend the Island and perfect its strongholds tended to follow Turkish alarms, so that it was the 1760 threat that brought the last French engineering team which included Bali de Tigne, who was left in charge after this threat was lifted. As from 1762 he effectively directed the Order's fortification building efforts in the official rank of Commissioner of Fortifications. It will be shown that after Marandon's resignation in 1762, Tigne exercised the role of a 'de facto' resident 'ingegnere della religione' for a long period (1762-88). During his term of office, which saw him rise in various ranks, he was involved in directing numerous projects ranging from the construction of coastal entrenchments, repairing and amelioration of strongholds like Ricasoli, St. Angelo and St. Elmo. Bali de Tigne was also involved in civil construction including cisterns, bombproof cellars and barracks for troops and civilians, as well as the re-organization of the Palace Armoury and military consultancy. This study is focused on Brigadier de Tigne and Bali de Tigne's life history and their military contributions to fortress Malta, with special attention being given to Bali de Tigne's long term office which ended in 1788 with the appointment of Henry de Mazis and Stephen de Tousard in 1791. Having operated as a military engineer and survived under the French Monarchy, the rule of the Knights and the French Republicans, he died in Malta under the British rule in 1801.