Entrance of Grand Master Fra Raimundus de Perellos e Rocafull into the City of Vittoriosa

 

At the sitting of the Council held in the Magisterial Palace of Valletta on August 9, 1697, Grand Master Raymond de Perellos communicated his intention of celebrating his solemn entrance into the City of Vittoriosa the following day. Six months previously, on February 7, he had been elected to rule as Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem, a title which brought with it the dignity of absolute Prince of these Islands, in conformity with the cession of Malta to the Order of St. John by Emperor Charles V in 1530. Grand Master Raymond de Perellos was now formally taking possession of one of the main cities of his domain.

Sailing out

It was, perhaps, the intention of the newly elected Fra Raimondo de Perellos to make his solemn entry into Vittoriosa an occasion of exceptional splendour. This may have been his aim in choosing August 10 for the occasion, when the City would be celebrating the feast of St. Lawrence in the newly erected Church. According to the comment registered in the Liber Conciliorum Status (1693-99): “La funzione invero riuscì pomposa e magnifica più d’ogni altra per il passato.”

Castello St. Angelo

On the appointed day, His Eminence Fra Raimondo de Perellos came out of his palace at Valletta at about half past four in the afternoon, accompanied by almost all the Venerable Grand Crosses and Knights. At the Marina, a special gondola decked with red damask and lace of gold had been prepared for the occasion. The Grand Master and the more important Officials of the Order used this boat; the remaining Grand Crosses and Knights followed in other ferry boats, some of which were adorned with curtains and cushions.
As the gondola crossed the harbour it was saluted with salvoes of artillery from the vessels of the Order and other ships that happened to be in port. The cannons from Castello St. Angelo, Fort St. Michael and the City of Vittoriosa gave their salute to the passing Prince. The garrison of St. Angelo and that of Senglea, together with soldiers of the regiment of Casal Zejtun, lined up all along the shores of Senglea and Vittoriosa. These in their full dress with breastplates and pikes gave a brilliant salute as the Grand Master passed by.

The welcome

Fra Faimondo stepped ashore just in front of the convent of the Carmelite Friars, on a bridge adorned with carpets and tapestries. The booming of the cannons from the City and a quantity of petards gave the signal of his landing. The Grand Master then led the way towards the Convent. There, Mgr. Tommaso Ruffo, the Inquisitor, came out to welcome and express his greetings to the newly elected Prince. At the door of the Church, the Inquisitor blessed with holy water first His Eminence, then the bystanders. After a short prayer, the Master of Ceremonies informed the Grand Master that the Bishop with his Reverend Chapter and Clergy were waiting for him just outside the City.

Vittoriosa

His Eminence therefore put on his magisterial Cap and made for the City together with Mgr. Ruffo and the Venerable Officials of the Order, preceded by a great number of knights and people. Just before the Grand Master, there walked the Maestro Scudiere and the Cavallarizzo Maggiore who held aloft, raised to view, the Sword of Honour which His Majesty King Philip II of Spain had presented to Grand Master La Vallette for his victory against the common enemy of Christendom.

On coming to the gate of the City, His Eminence knelt down to kiss the Cross which the bishop, Mgr. Cocco Palmeri, who was waiting for him, presented. The “Giurato Anziano” of the Università then offered the usual bouquet and two silver Keys, one of which was gilded, to the Grand Master who received them in token of actual possession of the City. And here again were repeated the salutes of artillery and petards from the regiment of soldiers and from the City, while a procession was formed for the solemn entrance in the town.

The procession

The Clergy, the Chapter of the Cathedral and the Bishop made their way towards the Church of the City, while on both sides of the Street walked the Knights and the other officials of the Order. Just behind the Bishop, in front of His Eminence came the Maestro Scudiere and the Cavallerizzo in the manner described above. Lastly walked Fra Raimondo de Perellos beneath a rich canopy held by the Giurati themselves. The people welcomed joyously their new Prince, whose generosity was taxed on this occasion: for his Ricevitore continually threw quantities of silver coins to the applauding, happy multitude.

Vittoriosa, Church of St Lawrence

In this way, the cortege proceeded through the City, whose streets were decked with tapestry and damask. Many paintings of His Eminence and beautiful inscriptions with words of welcome, expressing the joy of the citizens could be seen hanging from balconies and windows. On arriving at the Square, the Governor of the City came forward to welcome the new Prince while the garrison of the city gave the salute. In the middle of the square, there was a superb triumphal arch with three gates. High up in the middle, the armorial bearings of the new Grand Master were placed, on each side of which there were erected four symbolical statues representing Justice, Peace, Charity and Abundance. On the two side gates there stood the Arms of the Università of the City.

The Blessing

On coming to the Church, the Bishop blessed His Eminence and the congregation with holy water and afterwards they proceeded to the High Altar. After the intoning of the “Te Deum,” the Grand Master went to his magisterial throne adorned with a rich canopy on the side of the Gospel. There he knelt till the singing was over, while the Bishop and his assistants, together with the Cathedral Chapter, stood on the other side of the altar. After the “Te Deum” and the ritual prayers, the Bishop took the Holy Relics of St. Lawrence from the Altar and presented them to His Eminence who kissed them with all due reverence.
When the ceremony was over, Fra Raimondo de Perellos was conducted out of the Church by the Bishop and His Chapter. There the people were waiting to applaud again the Grand Master — and, perhaps, to receive the silver coins which the Ricevitore of His Eminence lavishly gave them.
After refreshments offered by the Governor of the City, the Grand Master and his train again embarked in the gondola to return to his palace at Valletta.

Slightly adapted from Ant. Zammit Gabaretta
From Melita Historica : Journal of the Malta Historical Society. 2 (1958)3(146-149)