Emmanuele Vitale facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Emmanuele Vitale
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| Born | 30 April 1758 Rabat, Hospitaller Malta |
| Died | 8 October 1802 (aged 44) Gozo, Malta Protectorate |
| Allegiance | .svg){kind=small} National Congress Battalions |
| Years of service | 1798–1800 |
| Rank | Generale Commandante |
| Unit | National Congress Battalions |
| Battles/wars | Siege of Malta (1798–1800) |
Emmanuele Vitale (born April 30, 1758 – died October 8, 1802) was a brave Maltese leader. He was a notary (someone who deals with legal documents), a military commander, and a statesman (a skilled political leader). During a big fight called the Siege of Malta, he led about 10,000 Maltese soldiers who weren't part of the regular army.
Contents
Who Was Emmanuele Vitale?
His Early Life and Education
Emmanuele Vitale was born in a town called Rabat on April 30, 1758. His father, Saverio Vitale, was also a notary. Emmanuele followed in his father's footsteps. He studied in Malta and became a notary himself.
Between 1785 and 1795, Emmanuele took over his father's important job. He became the Chancellor of the Università in Mdina. This was a special position where he helped manage the city's affairs. He was known for being very generous to the people of Mdina.
The French Take Over Malta
In 1798, the French army took control of Malta. They seized the island from the Knights of St. John. The French soldiers who stayed in Malta quickly became unpopular. They were led by General Claude-Henri Belgrand de Vaubois.
The French often stole valuable items from Malta's churches. Emmanuele Vitale bravely hid treasures from the Church of Saint Joseph in Rabat in his own home to protect them.
The Maltese Uprising Begins
One day, the French tried to steal fancy fabrics and silver from a convent in Mdina. Emmanuele Vitale worked hard to stop them. Because of his efforts, an angry crowd gathered to prevent the French from taking the items.
These protests quickly turned into a big uprising against the French. Emmanuele Vitale was chosen to be the main commander of the Maltese volunteer forces. Only the forces from Zebbug and Siggiewi chose Canon Francesco Saverio Caruana as their leader instead.
Under Vitale's command, the Maltese pushed the French out of Mdina. They used a secret passageway behind St. Paul's Cathedral, Mdina. By the next day, the Maltese had taken back Mdina. They forced the French soldiers there to surrender. The surprised French army then retreated into Valletta. They stayed there for the rest of the siege.
Forming a New Government
After taking back Mdina, Vitale and other leaders set up a temporary government. They called it the National Assembly. This assembly met at the Banca Giuratale in Mdina on September 3.
The Assembly asked for help from other countries. They sent someone to Naples to ask for support. Vitale, along with other important Maltese nobles, wrote a letter to the British Admiral Horatio Nelson. They asked him for help.
Soon, Admiral Nelson and Captain Alexander Ball arrived with more soldiers and supplies. Later, the Portuguese Marquis de Nisa also sent troops, muskets, and gunpowder.
Leadership During the Siege
There were some disagreements about who should lead the Maltese forces. Both Vitale and Caruana wanted to be in charge. To solve this, Captain Ball became the President of the Assembly.
Later, a National Congress was formed. It included leaders from different villages and some priests. Vitale was seen as a representative for Mdina in this Congress.
At first, Captain Ball was not very impressed with Vitale. He thought Vitale was too ambitious and not a good organizer. However, as the siege continued, Ball saw Vitale's strong leadership skills. His opinion changed.
On March 31, 1800, Emmanuele Vitale and about twenty other representatives signed an important letter. It stated that the Maltese people wanted to become subjects of Great Britain. The French finally gave up and left Malta on September 5, 1800.
His Later Life and Legacy
After the French left, Britain took control of Malta. They set up a Protectorate, and Captain Ball became the Civil Commissioner. Ball chose Vitale to be the luogotenente (village leader) of Senglea.
On August 21, 1801, under a new Civil Commissioner named Charles Cameron, Vitale received a great honor. He was made the Governor, Superintendent, and Health Director of Gozo.
Emmanuele Vitale passed away on October 8, 1802. He was only 44 years old.
Vitale is remembered in Malta as one of the key Maltese leaders during the uprising against the French. In 2002, he was featured on a postage stamp. However, it's not completely clear if the stamp shows Vitale or another person from the Order of Saint John's artillery regiment.
