Unpublished work © 2015 Franco A. Davies BSc (Hons), MA (Hosp. Studies), SRP De Valette’s Battle-sword February, 2015 Mr. Franco A. Davies © BSc (Hons), MA (Hosp. Studies), SRP This Hospitaller sword is shrouded in mystery, but it is well known and it is, in any case, still in Malta. Information about its origins is very scarce and it merits attention because of its strong tradition in local collective memory. It is the presumed personal battle-sword of de Valette donated to the chapel of Our Lady of Damascus in Birgu (Vittoriosa) at the end of the siege of 1565. It currently lies within the same chapel which is now annexed to the church museum (previously the Oratory of St. Joseph) and is displayed with a hat traditionally also associated with the Grand Master. A search through the Order’s archives (specifically the Liber Conciliorum of 1565 to 1566) reveals nothing and even Bosio fails to mention it in his Historia. Other texts on the great siege such as Balbi di Correggio’s account also do not mention it. Many modern references to the sword seem to be based on tradition and are not backed by historical evidence, such as Schermerhorn’s Malta of the Knights. The sword itself is a sixteenth-century battle sword (a form of early rapier, commonly referred to as a side-sword) and is similar to ones produced in Saxony. 1  Unpublished work © 2015 Franco A. Davies BSc (Hons), MA (Hosp. Studies), SRP The width of the blade suggests it is made for battle rather than civilian use (Figure 3) and the lack of decoration apart from a rosary engraved on the blade are highly suggestive that it could have belonged to a Hospitaller. 1 The hat of the Grand Master is commonly seen in portraits and described in ceremonies as a symbol of the Magistracy and, like the stock and pilier, seems like a fitting combination to be given as a gift.2 A visit to the site reveals a strong local pride connected to the two items and they form the centre piece of the museum with a lot of signage describing them as de Valette’s relics. The sword and hat are placed inside a cabinet in the chapel of Our Lady of Damascus and seem to lie in their original place, at least since 1779 when the chapel was restored by Grand Master de Rohan. This is proven by a marble plaque located directly under them dated 1779 describing the restoration of the chapel which had fallen into disrepair and it specifically describes it as the site in which de Valette ‘willingly and joyfully’ hung his sword and hat as thanksgiving to Our Lady for the victory in 1565 (Figure 1). Although a search in the Liber Conciliorum Status of the years 1778 to 1780 for any mention of this restoration proved futile, the plaque itself, erected during the Order’s reign in Malta is very suggestive of their authenticity. 1 The de Valette sixteenth Century Sword, retrieved on 16 November, 2013 from http://www.historicalfencingmalta.org/2013/06/de-valette-16th-century-sword/ . 2 The Magistral Hat can be seen in various Grand Master portraits such as of Cottoner (Preti), de Redin (Preti) and Ximenez (Favray). 2  Unpublished work © 2015 Franco A. Davies BSc (Hons), MA (Hosp. Studies), SRP Figure 1. Marble plaque dated 1779 found below de Valette’s sword and hat describing them as Ensis et Galerus (St. Lawrence parish museum). Considering the lack of written evidence, there are many points in favour to the authenticity of the sword particularly the marble plaque itself which seems genuine and specifically mentions the sword and the date de Valette donated it. The site in which it is placed looks untouched and makes historical sense since the chapel is near the church of St. Lawrence and a stone’s throw away from the main town square, both central locations used in the Great Siege, making the chapel a convenient site for the Grand Master to meditate and pray. De Valette had lived in Rhodes and may have felt at home praying in the Greek chapel of the famous Icon from Damascus. The Grand Master’s dedication to Our Lady is evident through his decree to commemorate the victory of the siege every 8 September in her honour 3  Unpublished work © 2015 Franco A. Davies BSc (Hons), MA (Hosp. Studies), SRP where he ‘gave’ his Philip II gift-sword to be used for this occasion, an act he may have similarly done with his personal sword inside the Greek chapel a year before. The sword itself fits in the right time period and is perfect for a Hospitaller knight in being simply decorated but of a very high quality (Figure 2). Figure 2. Close-up of the Sword found in Birgu showing the rosary engraving in the blade (Courtesy of the Malta Historical Fencing Association). Finally, the presence of numerous ex-votos in the chapel itself seem to back this theory, especially since there are three other swords on display (two French bayonets and a Japanese katana left as a war trophy) described as ex-votos in thanksgiving for surviving the Second World War.3 These reveal a tradition of ex- votos in this chapel possibly following the footsteps of de Valette. A deeper search in the Order’s archives as well as the notarial and parish archives to search for a possible contract binding the Grand Master’s donation may reveal more information, although the accumulated visual evidence and the collective local memory towards this ‘relic’ all play in favour of its authenticity. It is however very strange that such an important object was not transported to Valletta along with most of the Order’s 3 This information is based on the captions of the items on display in the St. Lawrence Parish Museum, Vittoriosa. 4  Unpublished work © 2015 Franco A. Davies BSc (Hons), MA (Hosp. Studies), SRP important possessions including the Icon of Our Lady itself. Moreover the lack of written evidence of this ex-voto will be a continuous doubting factor in its authenticity especially since the Order tended to be meticulous in its documentation. Regardless, the sword itself holds an enduring power to create a monumental collective memory to a person, who may be seen as a ‘national hero’ even if he was not Maltese. Figure 3. De Valette’s Sword and Hat in situ at the St. Lawrence Parish Museum (Courtesy of the Malta Historical Fencing Association). 5  Unpublished work © 2015 Franco A. Davies BSc (Hons), MA (Hosp. Studies), SRP In 2012, the Malta Historical Fencing Association (MHFA) embarked upon a project to create a practical replica of this sword in order to use it in its practical study of the European martial arts.4 It studied its dimensions and unique characteristics and had it recreated by a renowned Italian sword-smith.5 It is now one of the weapons in the Association’s curriculum; what is today referred to as side- sword, which is an earlier, more military form of rapier fighting most common in the mid sixteenth century. The Association publically released the sword in 2013 and it is now the official ‘club’ sword exclusive to the MHFA.6 Figure 4. Two replicas of De Valette’s sword currently used as part of the MHFA’s study curriculum (Courtesy of Christopher Cachia Zammit). 4 http://www.historicalfencingmalta.org/2013/06/de-valette-16th-century-sword/ 5 Marco Danelli: http://www.danelliarmouries.com/index.php/custom-swords/schools-models/47- mhfa-school-model-de-vallette 6 http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130620/local/Sword-carried-in-the-siege.474577 (see also: http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130617/local/Copy-of-the-real-de-Valette-sword- again-used-in-battle-.474176) 6