Last modified: 2013-06-29 by rob raeside
Keywords: sovereign and military order of malta | pietrino del ponte | grandmaster |
Links: FOTW homepage |
search |
disclaimer and copyright |
write us |
mirrors
3:5 image by António Martins, 1 March 2000
See also:
The flag of Luqa
is identical to the arms of Grand Master Pietrino del Ponte (reigned
1534-1535), "Argent a saltire Gules":
http://www.smom-za.org/smom/grandmasters/45.htm
According to that
webpage:
"Due to the brief Grandmastership, Pietro del Ponte did not
introduce any major administrative changes to the island. "During this period,
Charles V undertook an expedition against Tunis to restore to power the
dethroned Muley Hassan and the Order was urged to help by supplying galleys and
soldiers. The victory of the Christians was complete and the Order showed that
it had not lost the military valour for which it had previously been renowned.
The possessions of the Order in Barbary were again secured to them and commerce
increased. "In 1535 there was a shortage of grain, due to the increase in the
population, which compelled the Grand Master and the Universita to import a
greater quantity of corn from Sicily. The island's requirements still were not
met, and Pietro del Ponte forced the Sicilian vessels in Maltese ports to sell
their stocks of grain, and thus a serious dispute arose between the Universita
of Malta and that of Messina. "Grand Master Pietro del Ponte died on the 18
November 1535 and was buried close to L'Isle Adam in the chapel dedicated to St.
Anne at fort St. Angelo."
Santiago Dotor, 15 March 2006