Norman invasion of Malta

Norman invasion of Malta

The Norman invasion of Malta was an attack on the island of Malta in 1091. At that time, most people on Malta were Muslims. The attack was led by Roger I from the Norman County of Sicily. His forces tried to take over the main town, called Medina, which is today Mdina.

The people of Medina did not fight to the end. They made a peace deal. They let go of any Christian people they were holding, promised to be loyal to Roger, and agreed to give him a special payment every year. After this, Roger’s soldiers went to the nearby island of Gozo, where they caused damage, before returning to Sicily with the people they had freed.

Even though this attack did not change who ruled Malta right away, it was important later. It helped start the process of Malta becoming a Christian place again, which happened around the year 1127. Over many years, people told stories about this event as if it had saved Malta from Muslim rule. Some of these stories say that Roger gave the colors red and white to the Maltese people to use as their own.

Background

The Norman conquest of southern Italy began in the 11th century. By 1091, they had taken over Sicily, including the last Muslim stronghold, Noto. Because Malta is close to Sicily, the Normans wanted to take it too. Robert Guiscard made plans to attack Malta as early as 1072.

At that time, Malta was mostly home to Muslims. After an Aghlabid attack in 870 AD, Malta had fewer people, but more Muslims moved there between 1048 and 1049. By the early 11th century, Medina was a busy Muslim settlement, possibly founded around that time with its walls built then. Some of these Muslims may have been refugees from Sicily because of the Arab–Byzantine wars. The Byzantines tried to take Malta back in 1053–54, but they failed.

Invasion and aftermath

The Norman fleet led by Count Roger I left Cape Scalambri in Sicily in 1091 and arrived in Malta within two days. Roger decided to lead the attack himself. Roger’s ship arrived first, and he landed with thirteen knights. The people of Malta resisted at first, but many ran away.

The next day, Roger and his army marched to the main city, Medina, and surrounded it. The leaders of the city were worried and asked to talk to Roger. They agreed to free all Christian prisoners, give horses, weapons, and money to the Normans, promise to be loyal to Roger, and pay him every year.

The freed Christians were happy. They got on Roger’s ships and went back to Sicily. On the way, the Normans also visited the nearby island of Gozo. When they reached Sicily, Roger offered to help the freed people settle in a new village called “Villafranca,” where they wouldn’t have to pay taxes. Others were allowed to go home safely through the Straits of Messina.

Analysis

A key source about the Norman invasion of Malta was written by an 11th-century historian named Goffredo Malaterra. He praised Count Roger's actions. Over time, the story of the invasion became a popular tale in Malta.

Historians today think there were no local Christians left at that time. Some later stories added new details that aren't proven true. These stories said Roger let the local people keep their religion.

Historians now see the Norman invasion as more of a quick raid. It wasn't until a later invasion by Roger's son, Roger II, in 1127 that Christian settlers arrived and began to change the island's culture and language. The invasion is now believed to have happened in 1091, not 1090 as once thought.