Rising of the Priests

Quick Facts: Who was Rising of the Priests?

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Rising of the Priests

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A 1775 Maltese uprising against the ruling Knights Hospitaller.

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Origins & Early Life

The Rising of the Priests (Maltese: Ir-Rewwixta tal-Qassisin), also known as the September 1775 Rebellion, was an uprising against the Knights Hospitaller which broke out in Valletta, Hospitaller Malta in September 1775. It came about after an extended period of political and economic tension following the death of Grand Master Manuel Pinto da Fonseca in 1773. The magistracy of his successor, Francisco Ximénez de Tejada, was characterised by largely unsuccessful attempts to alleviate economic problems and disputes between the Hospitallers and Bishop of Malta Giovanni Carmine Pellerano. These tensions led to an open revolt by a small group of Maltese clergy and laymen under the leadership of the priest Don Gaetano Mannarino on 8 September 1775. The rebels took control of Fort Saint Elmo and Saint James Cavalier – two key locations within the fortifications of Valletta – but their actions failed to instigate a wider Maltese uprising.

Career & Major Achievements

The Hospitallers quickly assaulted and recaptured the Cavalier, and the rebels surrendered the fort by 11 September after a series of negotiations. Two individuals, a Hospitaller knight and a priest, were killed and some others were wounded during the uprising. 64 people were arrested and imprisoned by the Hospitallers for their role in the revolt; three of them were executed while the rest were exiled or imprisoned, many of them for life. Mannarino was among those imprisoned; he was ultimately released over two decades later in 1798, when Hospitaller rule ended with the French occupation of Malta. During the 18th century, the Knights Hospitaller ruled Malta and had de facto sovereignty over the islands.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

By the later years of Grand Master Manuel Pinto da Fonseca's magistracy, Hospitaller power and prestige was declining on the international stage and this was exacerbated by decadence and financial mismanagement on Pinto's part, which led to the bankruptcy of the Università. Around the time of Pinto's death in early 1773, there was already a sense of unrest and general discontent on Malta, creating conditions for a potential uprising. Francisco Ximénez de Tejada succeeded Pinto as Grand Master on 28 January 1773. Ximénez, who had previously been a financial administrator, attempted to reform the Order's finances and had to deal with a wheat shortage days after his election to the magistracy. He increased the price of grain in an attempt to revive cash flow to the Massa Frumentaria and he cut government spending; these measures made him unpopular, and an increase in crime was recorded during his tenure.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1773: 1773 Milestone — It came about after an extended period of political and economic tension following the death of Grand Master Manuel Pinto da Fonseca in 1773.
2. 1775: 1775 Milestone — The Rising of the Priests (Maltese: Ir-Rewwixta tal-Qassisin), also known as the September 1775 Rebellion, was an uprising against the Knights Hospitaller which broke out in Valletta, Hospitaller Malta in September 1775.
3. 1798: 1798 Milestone — Mannarino was among those imprisoned; he was ultimately released over two decades later in 1798, when Hospitaller rule ended with the French occupation of Malta.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Rising of the Priests

True or False: “The Rising of the Priests was a spontaneous, unplanned outburst fueled only by general peasant discontent.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While popular discontent existed, the uprising was specifically organized and led by key figures like Don Gaetano Mannarino among the clergy and laymen.

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