Last modified: 2013-06-29 by rob raeside
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by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 24 October 2008See also:
Flag of Grandmaster Manuel Pinto de Fonseca (1741-1773) (square flag)
It
is a quarterly divided square flag. The 1st and 4th quarter are showing the
white Greek cross in a red field of the Order of St. John. The 2nd and 3rd
quarter are showing the personal arms of the grandmaster. It is a silver (=
white) containing five red lying crescents ordered two above one above two. The
flags are set alternating with the orders colours on both sides of Pinto’s
galley, each flag having estimated three meters height and width.
Source:
Merian; no.42/1; p.107
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 26 October 2008
According to this webpage
http://www.smom-za.org/smom/grandmasters/68.htm:
"Grand Master
Manoel Pinto (1741-73) another Portuguese. He was not very popular and during
his reign, he made many enemies. He created new titles of nobility which was
greatly resented by the old nobles of the island and imposed unjust taxes on the
people. He offended the clergy by the expulsion of the Jesuits from Malta and,
incurred the hatred of the older Knights who had long waited for him to die and
succeed him. However, he loved the city of Valletta. The Auberge de Castille,
the stateliest and one of the most important buildings in the town, started
during the rule of de la Cassiere in 1574, was finished under his Magistracy and
his bust and arms adorn its facade. He enriched the Conventual Church and built
a number of stores at the Marina which still bear his name. When Pinto died his
body was laid in one of the most beautiful monuments of St John's which has a
striking portrait in mosaic.
(...) Pinto was the first Grand Master to use
the Imperial crown [on his arms]."
Santiago Dotor, 15 March 2006
