The medieval history of Malta is shaped by a series of rulers who left their mark on the island’s identity. One such pivotal period was the Aragonese control of Malta, which began in the 13th century and linked the island to the growing power of the Crown of Aragon in the western Mediterranean. Though Malta remained a small and strategic territory, its role in regional politics became increasingly significant under Aragonese influence.
The Aragonese control of Malta
From the Swabians to the Aragonese
When the Hohenstaufen dynasty collapsed, Malta’s political fate quickly changed. In 1283, control passed to the Crown of Aragon. This happened during the War of the Sicilian Vespers, a major turning point in Mediterranean power. Aragonese forces defeated the Angevin rulers of Sicily. As a result, Malta closely linked to Sicily shifted hands as well. Even though it was small, the island followed Sicily’s path and joined the growing Aragonese realm.
Malta as a Feudal Holding
Under Aragonese rule, Malta was administered as a fief, often granted to noble families or military leaders. Although the island was considered a secondary holding within the Crown’s vast territories, its harbors and location remained valuable. The Aragonese period saw limited direct governance from the crown, but local administration and the Catholic Church continued to shape daily life.
The most notable figure of this era was Gonsalvo Monroy, a Catalan nobleman whose rule sparked rebellion due to heavy taxation. The Maltese Revolt of 1425–1428 is one of the clearest examples of local resistance during Aragonese control.
Laying Foundations for the Knights
Although the Aragonese control of Malta eventually gave way to Spanish unification and later the rule of the Knights of St. John, this period set the stage for Malta’s future as a fortified island. Aragon’s presence linked Malta more closely to Iberian politics and shaped its feudal and ecclesiastical structures for centuries to come.
A Forgotten but Formative Era
While often overshadowed by later rulers, the Aragonese left a lasting imprint. Their rule over Malta was part of a broader struggle for dominance in the Mediterranean—and a chapter that helped shape the island’s path into the early modern world.