The news that on the occasion of Malta’s EU presidency, Grand Master de Valette’s bejewelled dagger will be brought to Malta from the Louvre and will be on display at Valletta is most welcome. The French authorities are to be thanked for this gesture.

The dagger, along with the equally beautiful ceremonial sword, were donated to de Valette for his heroic feats following the Great Siege victory.

That victory was solemnly celebrated at St Lawrence conventual church, Vittoriosa on September 8, 1565 with the Grand Master brandishing not the ceremonial sword and dagger but his battle sword.

Vittoriosa is proud to possess that very same battle sword, permanently hanging in a baroque purpose-build niche by Grand Master De Rohan at St Joseph Oratory Museum.

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