Alof de Wignacourt, a magnanimous, pious French grand master
Fra Alof de Wignacourt was elected Grand Master of the Order of the Knights of Malta on February 10, 1601. As the seventh French grand master in Malta, Wignacourt invested handsomely in the security and prosperity of the island’s inhabitants. By the time he died aged 75 on September 14, 1622, almost 400 years ago this month, his legacy had enriched the Maltese islands with important memorials of his benevolence and virtue. These include the aqueduct that bears his name, and which arches its way towards Valletta; Caravaggio’s greatest oeuvre at St John’s Co-Cathedral; his set of coastal watch towers; and his promotion of St Paul’s Grotto in Rabat. It is no wonder he was one of the most popular grand masters with the Maltese of his day.
Early career
Born on July 16, 1547, Wignacourt joined the Order in 1564 and distinguished himself in the Great Siege a year later. He enrolled as a knight in the Langue of France in 1566, becoming grand prior the following year. In 1570, he was appointed captain of the new city of Valletta until the Order crossed over from Vittoriosa. In 1571, he was again engaged in battle, this time in Lepanto.
In 1586, Wignacourt was in charge of Europe’s...