When Gozo threw out Napoleon
Hello dear friends!
Well, this week I’m finally making good on my promise to tell you a little about Gozo’s history. In fact, I think you’re going to be surprised!
“The year is 50 BC, and all of Gaul or Armorica is divided into three parts. No, four — for one small village of indomitable Gauls still holds out against the Roman invaders.” Thus begins the story, not of Gozo, but of Asterix. Throughout the fifty years of the popular cartoons’ existence the little village has given the Romans a real hard time.
In my younger days I was a big fan of Asterix and Obelix. Perhaps that’s why I’m always reminded of those brave Gauls’ stories when I think of Napoleon’s defeat by the Gozitans…
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These happenings date back 212 years. The mighty General Napoleon Bonaparte was planning on becoming mightier yet: conquering Egypt was on his agenda, as was the plan to vanquish India and the British Empire’s colonies in the Far East. The prospect of pocketing Malta on his way – ever so conveniently located and boasting of fortresses and natural harbours – probably tickled him pink.
At that point in time the Knights of Saint John had ruled the Maltese islands for 267 years. However, undermined by a few disloyal knights and Maltese, who had shrewdly crossed over to Napoleon’s side, it took just one lousy week for them to unceremoniously hand over Malta to the French troupes. Even Napoleon, who stayed in Malta only for 6 days, was taken aback by the ease of it! The island of Gozo submitted to the troupes of General Reynier, after he had promised to do them no harm.
The French rule brought with it revolutionary changes, such as the abolition of nobility and introduction of education for all classes. Even the trial by jury – until then unheard of in royal Europe – found its way into Malta’s judicial system!
Probably nothing much would have happened if they had not started to loot the churches to be able to pay their army. Huge mistake in a country as Catholic as Malta! In September 1798, only three months into the French reign, the Maltese and Gozitans rose against their oppressors.
On 2nd September four Gozitans took it upon themselves to create an emergency government: Archpriest Saverio Cassar, who was unanimously chosen leader, the doctor Salvatore Fenech, lawyer Giuseppe Grima and Martino Hasciach, a merchant.
Under their leadership, the Gozitans beat their Maltese brethren to ridding their island from the French. They besieged the French garrison in the citadel, and with the help of the Portuguese and British navies finally drove the French to capitulation.
On 29th October 1798 the island of Gozo became an independent nation, and for the following 22 months, the Nation of Gozo was recognised and respected by the Courts of Naples and London! Gozo was independent to all intents and purposes, its government taking responsibility, for example, of raising finances for the local troops and importing food from neighbouring Sicily.
Another Gozitan, Liberato Grech from Xaghra, who as head of the Gozo armed forces had been instrumental in beating the French into retreat, built a chapel as a gesture of thanksgiving for the Gozitan victory. Erected in 1835, it was blessed by Canon Saviour Grech, Liberato’s son, in 1837. However, the two belfries were not added until 1958.
Sadly, the end of this little story is less glorious. When two years later the British finally succeeded in ridding the main island Malta of the French for good, they brusquely relieved Saverio Cassar of his duties and forced Gozo back into the fold. Who knows what the island would be like today if that hadn’t happened?
Unfortunately many websites, including Wikipedia, insist on telling that Napoleon “granted” Gozo autonomy after he conquered Malta. However, the way I see it is that he didn’t have much of a choice, did he? Other sources don’t even mention Gozo in the context of the French occupation. Well, now you know the glorious truth of little Gozo standing up to France like David to Goliath! 
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Various internet sources have been of help with this article, but special thanks must go to Rev Dr Joseph Bezzina and his book “Gozo’s Government”, published in 2005 by the Local Councils Association (Gozo)
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