Tribute of the Maltese Falcon facts for kids
The Knights Hospitaller, also known as the Order of St John of Jerusalem, were a powerful group of knights. They needed a new home after losing their lands. In 1530, the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and his mother, Queen Joanna of Castile, who ruled Sicily, gave the Knights a special gift. They granted them the islands of Malta and Gozo, along with the city of Tripoli.
This gift came with an important condition: the Knights had to pay a yearly "tribute." A tribute is like a payment or gift to show loyalty. This payment was not money, but a single peregrine falcon. They had to deliver this falcon every year on All Saints' Day (November 1st). This agreement was made on March 23, 1530. It showed that the Knights held these lands from the Emperor as their ruler.
The Agreement: What the Grant Said
The official document that gave Malta to the Knights was very detailed. It said that the Emperor was generously giving the cities, castles, and islands of Tripoli, Malta, and Gozo to the Grand Master of the Order. This gift was "in feudal perpetuity," meaning it was theirs forever, like a long-term lease.
The Knights would have full control over these places. This included the power to make laws and govern the people living there. They also had the right to collect money and enjoy other benefits. The most important part was that they would hold these lands from the King of Sicily. The only payment required was the annual falcon. Once this falcon was given, the Knights would be free from all other demands or services.
Important Rules for the Knights
The agreement came with several important rules and conditions that the Knights had to follow:
- Renewing the Agreement: Every time a new Grand Master took charge, the agreement had to be officially renewed.
- No Attacks on Sicily: The Knights promised not to attack the Kingdom of Sicily, which was ruled by the Emperor.
- No Hiding Criminals: They could not offer safety to people who were running from justice in Sicily.
- Choosing the Bishop: The Knights had a say in choosing the bishop of Malta.
- Bishop's Role: The bishop of Malta would become a high-ranking member of the Order and join its main council.
- Italian Admiral: The Knights were asked to prefer appointing an Italian person as the Admiral of their fleet.
- No Selling the Land: The Knights were not allowed to sell or give away the lands they had been granted.
- Solving Problems: If there were any disagreements, they had to be settled through a fair process called arbitration.
- Respecting Local Laws: The Knights had to respect the existing laws and traditions of the people already living in Malta and Gozo.
The Knights Hospitaller continued to pay this annual falcon tribute for many years. They kept up this tradition until 1798. In that year, the French army, led by Napoleon Bonaparte, took over the Maltese islands. The Order was then forced to leave Malta, and the tribute of the falcon ended.
See also
In Spanish: Tributo del Halcón Maltés para niños
