Food vendors in Early Modern Valletta

Abstract

In March 1774, under the cover of darkness, the following sentiment was made public: Poveri Maltesi, in che miserie vi ha portato questo Gran Maestro’ [lit. Poor Maltese! The Grand Master has led you into such a pitiful state]. The writing on the wall of the Grand Master’s Palace facing the Piazza dell’Erba in Valletta captured very succinctly the general opinion of the populace. A common feeling of anger reigned among those attending for business in the busiest market hub of Early Modern Malta. Even if the graffiti were painted over to dampen the audacious vandal act on the country’s symbol of power, strong opinions among the subjects of Grand Master Ximenes de Texada [1773‐1775] could not be easily washed away. Similar predicaments reached unprecedented proportions in times of dire food shortages. Hunger was an omnipresent fear for the Early Modern Maltese community, especially for the dwellers residing within the urban conglomerate towns situated around the Grand Harbour. Since the archipelago depended on large quantities of food imports, lack of provisioning had an immediate effect on city people. The threat of hunger was further accentuated when rural agricultural produce failed to reach Valletta. Since the Grand Master carried the solemn obligation of feeding his subjects, any shortages in the city generated an environment conducive to public expressions of distress.