The Order of Saint John and Gozo in the eighteenth century : governance, health and spiritual care

Abstract

The main objective of this thesis is to throw some light on the island of Gozo during the reign of the Order of Saint John In particular, it focuses upon three of the most relevant aspects of Gozitan life in so for as this was intertwined with the rule of the noble knights. These aspects allow us to see that the nature of rule on the smaller island was of a different nature from that on the larger island. The small size and the insularity of Gozo had both positive as well as negative aspects for both rulers and ruled. For the Gozitans, distance and sea crossing rendered access by the Gozitan labourers to the infrastructural works being carried out on the larger island extremely difficult. At the same time, the very distance enabled the local Universitas to enjoy a higher level of 'autonomy' than its Maltese counterpart. In so far as the Order itself was concerned, distance was translated into a lower measure of control. This was compensated by the fact that at least some of the works being carried out there, as well as defence and law enforcement, could be financed from taxation rather than funds from the Order's coffers. The raison d'etre of the Order of Saint John lay in its hospital duties. There were, moreover, two other considerations intimately tied to its principal mission, namely its inextricable link with the Religion and its antagonism to the infidel. Translated in practical terms, this meant that the Order was bound to take care of the sick, that it had to take care of the souls of those dependent upon it and that it protected itself against attacks of the Muslims (and, of course, harassed them as much as possible). It is for this reason that the present discussion focuses upon spiritual care, medical care and the fortifications of the island of Gozo. On that island, the aims and mission of the Order were dictated by the particular circumstances of the island, and by distance from the seat of power. Thus, for example, as will be seen later on, in the case of medical care, the Order dragged its feet until the eighteenth century. A small hospital for women did exist at the Citadel, but there was no proper hospital for men.