One of the uncomfortable revelations of Dr William Zammit's book, Kissing the Gallows, is that public executions used to be a lot of fun. In fact, they were so much fun, you'd probably go on an execution picnic. Human nature has not changed much, which is why the public is invited to hear all about crime, torture and punishment under the knights next week. It's not an execution, but it's the next best thing.
What sort of crimes were committed in Malta during the period 1600 to 1798? How did the justice system actually work? Why and when was torture resorted to? What was the role of the public during execution rituals?
Hear stories such as those of Felice Spiteri in 1749, the young man who was found guilty of drowning his pregnant wife. He ended his days hanged at Senglea Point, the same spot where the lifeless body of his hapless wife was found floating.
Perhaps even more cruel was the fate of Saverio Galea, a young man from Zebbug, accused of stealing a silver crucifix from his village parish church in 1763. Probably meant as a joke, Saverio's youthful prank earned him a sentence of rowing on the galleys for the rest of his life. Considering that punishment as being too lenient, Grand Master Pinto ordered the unfortunate's execution, which was carried out notwithstanding the pleadings of the Zebbug archpriest on behalf of the youth.
Contents:
1. Crime, Torture and Punishment under the Knights
2. To be a Knight of Malta – Identity, Then and Now (A REPEAT NOW ON 25TH)
3. Final Dark Tour of Valletta
CRIME, TORTURE AND PUNISHMENT UNDER THE KNIGHTS
Venue: Malta Society of Arts, Palazzo de la Salle
Date: 23/03/2017
Time: 19:00 – 20:00
Price: Talk Ticket 23rd March €5.00
When attending this event, kindly say that you saw it mentioned in www.maltababyandkids.com