THE 15TH CENTURY

c. 1398-1439AD

A period of turmoil in Maltese history, characterised by struggles with feudal overlords, the islands’ return to the Demanio Reale (Royal Domain), the Hafsid siege of Mdina in 1429 and the plague of 1439.

C. 1440-1470AD

A period of Trastamaran Aragonese rule, characterised by the struggle against corsair raids on Maltese shipping and on land. Notarial deeds and bandi shed light on the Maltese society of the period.

Within these two date ranges we give interpretations of the lives of both Maltese urban society and rural communities. We focus in particular on the activities of merchants and tradesmen, and primarily portray the lower classes of society, supplemented by the soldiery and public officials.

A 15th century wax candlemaker

Local townsmen of the early 15th century

Troglodytic community at the turn of the 15th century preparing a seasonal lunch

A late 14th century farmer rising early to tend to his crops

A Jewish merchant rests as his son conducts business in the streets of Mdina in the 15th century

A crossbowman’s pavise of the 15th century

Workshops - Compagnia San Michele as an informal learning tool

Pilgrim holding a candle exposing a shimmering pewter badge of Our Lady of Rocamadour

Pilgrims resting

A serviente is helped into his panoply in late 14th century Mdina

Signalling other members of the maħras (coastwatch) in the early 15th century

An aspect of rural life in 15th century Malta

A pilgrim in the early 15th century following a local rout

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