History books give the impression that during the Great Siege life in Malta was at a standstill and that all Maltese people were on the coast fighting the Turks.

However, recently-restored documents at the Notarial Archives show that life carried on and people were still busy having sex before marriage and signing contracts of betrothal.

“One such document dates to September 4, 1565, four days before the Great Siege came to an end,” historian Joan Abela points out.

There was, till that day, still a question mark as to whether help was on the way for the Knights of St John but it did not stop Simone Attardo, from Ħal Farruġ, to declare in writing that his daughter had had “a carnal relationship” with John Psaila, from Żebbuġ, and, therefore, was giving his consent for marriage.

The contract, in Latin, is signed in Vittoriosa, although notary Angelo Bartolo had, in previous years, been based in Mdina. It notes that the notary had moved to Vittoriosa “because of the ongoing Ottoman siege”.

As the Turks had based themselves in Mġarr, many felt that Mdina would be their first attack point and, therefore, throughout the duration of the siege the old city was emptied.

Another contract reflecting the custom of premarital sex was by notary Placido Abela. It states that the betrothed couple, Imeria Callus, from Żurrieq, and Giuliano Canqui, from Ħal Kbir, had already “consummated the marriage” prior to formally legalising their union. In the contract, the bride’s father gave his consent to this union.

According to Dr Abela, these documents show that daily life went on as usual during the 1565 siege. “We have records of sales and transactions going on during the Great Siege. It is people who make history and that is why the Notarial Archives are an important treasure for Malta,” he said.