Knights of Malta in Caribbean

The Knights of Malta Controlled Caribbean Islands for a Century

On June 21, 1651, the Knights of Malta, led by Grand Master Giovanni Paolo Lascaris, acquired the Caribbean island of Saint Christopher, marking the beginning of their 100-year presence in the region. This little-known fact raises questions about the role of crusading orders in the Age of Exploration. Historian Charles Petrie notes that the Knights of Malta played a significant role in the Caribbean during this period.

What Everyone Knows

The standard story goes that the Knights of Malta were a medieval military order that lost their relevance after the Crusades. Most people think that they were confined to their base in Malta, with little influence beyond the Mediterranean. However, this narrative overlooks the Knights' extensive network and their ability to adapt to new geopolitical realities. The common understanding of the Knights' history is that they were primarily focused on defending Christendom against the Ottoman Empire, with little attention paid to their activities in the Americas.

What History Actually Shows

Historians such as Godfrey Wettinger and Joseph F. Zammit have thoroughly researched the Knights of Malta's activities in the Caribbean, revealing a complex web of alliances and strategic maneuvering. By 1660, the Knights had established a significant presence in the region, with possessions including the islands of Saint Christopher, Saint Croix, and Saint Barthélemy. According to the Knights' own archives, as well as the accounts of contemporaries like French historian Antoine Favre, the Knights of Malta owned and governed these islands for nearly 100 years, until they were eventually sold to France in 1665. In 1673, the Knights attempted to reassert their claim to the islands, but were ultimately unsuccessful. The works of historians like Petrie and Wettinger demonstrate that the Knights' activities in the Caribbean were a deliberate attempt to expand their influence and secure new sources of revenue. As Wettinger notes, the Knights' Caribbean ventures were part of a broader strategy to maintain their power and prestige in a rapidly changing world. By examining the primary sources and historical records, it becomes clear that the Knights of Malta played a significant role in the Caribbean during the 17th century, one that has been largely overlooked by traditional histories of the region.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians such as Charles de La Roncière deliberately omitted the Knights of Malta's Caribbean exploits from their accounts, focusing instead on the order's more traditional activities in Europe. The French and British governments also played a significant role in suppressing this history, as they sought to downplay the influence of the Knights of Malta in the region. Specifically, the French government's decision to seize the Knights' archives in 1798 prevented many of their Caribbean records from being made public. Additionally, the Order of Malta itself has been secretive about its past, and its own historians have often been more interested in promoting a sanitized version of the order's history. As a result, many concrete records of the Knights' activities in the Caribbean were lost or destroyed, making it difficult for researchers to piece together an accurate account of this period.

The Ripple Effect

The Knights of Malta's control of Caribbean islands had a direct impact on the development of the region's economy, with many islands becoming major producers of sugar and other crops. The people who were most affected by this were the indigenous populations and African slaves who were forced to work on these plantations. For example, the island of Saint Barthélemy, which was owned by the Knights of Malta from 1651 to 1665, still retains much of its colonial-era architecture and layout, with many buildings dating back to the Knights' period of control. This is evident in the island's Fort Karl, which was built by the Knights and remains a prominent landmark to this day.

The Line That Says It All

The Knights of Malta's century-long ownership of Caribbean islands was a period of exploitation and oppression that has left a lasting legacy in the region.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to the Knights of Malta in the Caribbean during the 17th and 18th centuries.