Early modern Malta served as a place of transition for those passing between western Christendom, Islamic North Africa and the Near East. But it was above all a Catholic frontier society – a status that the crusading Knights of Malta were eager to maintain. The presence of a Roman Inquisition tribunal ensured that Catholic residents of Malta and Gozo remained faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Church; a modicum that was applied to every baptised individual.

The Inquisition was concerned with the Jews particularly because Judaism was perceived as a distorted reflection of the one true Christian religion. As a result, Jews were looked askance upon not so much for what they believed in, but for their rejection of Christ and their denial of Catholic doctrine. These were the defining characteristics of Judaism.

The Jews that passed through Malta between the sixteenth and eighteenth century were few in number. They were in the main forcibly brought to Malta and reduced to slavery. Some managed to be ransomed. Of those that were not ransomed, some chose to convert to Christianity in the hope that life would be more tolerable for them. However, it was exceedingly difficult for neophytes to conceal their true convictions, and this often led to their denouncement in front of the Inquisition tribunal.

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Based on newly discovered Ottoman and Jewish sources it argues that the acquittal of Rhodian Jews is adequately understood only in the context of the Tanzimat and the Sublime Porte’s foreign relations. Contrary to the common view that Ottoman Jews did not experience the impact of the Tanzimat reforms until the mid-1850s, this study shows that their effects were felt as early as 1840. Furthermore, this book offers a window onto life and intercommunal relations in the Eastern Mediterranean during the late Ottoman era.

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Cleardo Naudi, who hailed from a well-connected Maltese family, began his tertiary education at the University of Malta and completed his medical studies at the University of Naples. Naudi went on to further his postgraduate education in London.

During the first decades of British rule in Malta, he managed to contact a number of English missionary societies, and did his best to persuade them to establish footholds on the island.

When in London, he met and forged important connections and conversances with some of the leading chemists of the day, which at times blossomed into useful friendships. Particularly close was his relationship with the Quaker, William Allen. In the meantime, he occupied the first Chair of Chemistry and Materia Medica at Malta's University...

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Cleardo Naudi, who hailed from a well-connected Maltese family, began his tertiary education at the University of Malta and completed his medical studies at the University of Naples. Naudi went on to further his postgraduate education in London.

During the first decades of British rule in Malta, he managed to contact a number of English missionary societies, and did his best to persuade them to establish footholds on the island.

When in London, he met and forged important connections and conversances with some of the leading chemists of the day, which at times blossomed into useful friendships. Particularly close was his relationship with the Quaker, William Allen. In the meantime, he occupied the first Chair of Chemistry and Materia Medica at Malta's University...

The post Cleardo Naudi: The University’s First Professor of Chemistry and Materia Medica, A Delphian and Enigmatic Academic appeared first on Malta University Press.

The post Documentary Sources of Maltese History: Part I Notarial Documents No. 2: Notary Giacomo Zabbara R494/1(II – IV): 1494 – 1497 appeared first on Malta University Press.

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Bosredon de Ransijat spent more than 30 years living among the Maltese, first as a Knight of the Order and later as President of the Government Commission during the French occupation. In his latter role he was blockaded with the French garrison within the city walls of Valetta. In his diary he describes just how determned they were to keep Malta in French hands and the hardships they endured during this two-year standoff with the Maltese country folk and the English Navy. Ransijat also gives his own in-depth analysis as to why the Maltese were glad to see the end of the Order's rule and why they turned so quickly against their new French rulers.

This book is not only about the French occupation, it is also about Maltese society in the late 18th century and above all it is the story of an extraordinary Frenchman who was bold enough to defend his deepest personal convictions.

Ramsijat's memoirs are undoubtedly among the most important historic documents concerning the French occupation of Malta, for one very simple reason: he was there.

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