HMML Lectures

Document Type

Presentation

Publication Date

11-17-2011

Abstract

Historians struggle for impartiality, but the simple choice of words can betray an unconscious bias. For example, are the insurgents "traitors" or "patriots"? "Rebels" or "freedom fighters"? When it comes to the Hospitallers of the 15th and 16th centuries, is their navy composed of "corsairs" or "pirates"? "Pirate," like "traitor" and "rebel," is a word we usually apply to our enemies. It is revelatory that most western European historians use the word "corsair" to describe the navy of the Order of St. John. The word confers legitimacy upon the Order's actions, and supports the claim that the Order's navy was simply pursuing the crusades against the Muslims in another guise. In comparison, scholars who study the Ottoman empire do not hesitate to use the word "pirate" to describe the Order's unprovoked raids upon shipping and coastal towns.

Come sail the Mediterranean seas and visit two islands that some modern historians call "hotbeds" of piratical activity - the sunny isles of Rhodes and Malta. Your guide will be Dr. Theresa Vann, the Joseph S. Micallef Curator of the Malta Study Center, who has more than once navigated these treacherous waters.

Comments

Full text of the event flyer image: This image is an event flyer for a public lecture sponsored by the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library. Event title: “Catholic Pirates: A Revisionist Look at the Hospitallers of Rhodes and Malta” Speaker: Dr. Theresa Vann, Joseph S. Micallef Curator of the Malta Study Center at the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library Event date and schedule: Thursday, November 17, 2011 3:30pm – 4:00pm — Reception, Lower Alcuin Lobby 4:00pm – 5:00pm — Lecture, Alcuin Library in AV2 Additional note: “All are welcome!” Lecture description: Historians struggle for impartiality, but the simple choice of words can betray an unconscious bias. For example, are the insurgents “traitors” or “patriots”? “Rebels” or “freedom fighters”? When it comes to the Hospitallers of the 15th and 16th centuries, is their navy composed of “corsairs” or “pirates”? “Pirate,” like “traitor” and “rebel,” is a word we usually apply to our enemies. It is revelatory that most western European historians use the word “corsair” to describe the navy of the Order of St. John. The word confers legitimacy upon the Order’s actions, and supports the claim that the Order’s navy was simply pursuing the crusades against the Muslims in another guise. In comparison, scholars who study the Ottoman empire do not hesitate to use the word “pirate” to describe the Order’s unprovoked raids upon shipping and coastal towns. Come sail the Mediterranean seas and visit two islands that some modern historians call “hotbeds” of piratical activity — the sunny isles of Rhodes and Malta. Your guide will be Dr. Theresa Vann, the Joseph S. Micallef Curator of the Malta Study Center, who has more than once navigated these treacherous waters. Image content: The flyer includes a photograph showing two people standing beside a table with archival materials and equipment used for handling or digitizing historical documents. Shelving with stored archival materials appears in the background. A caption identifies them as Theresa Vann and Charles Farrugia, Director of the National Archives of Malta. Visual layout: The flyer is vertically arranged with a black header, a white title section, a two-column middle section with text on the left and an image on the right, and a red section highlighting the event date and time. The name “The Hill Museum & Manuscript Library” appears at the top and bottom of the flyer.

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