In 1801 the French were driven from the
islands at great cost in blood by the bravery
of the Maltese population supported
by the British fleet, and it was taken
under British protection. In 1964, after
many years of British occupation, the
islands of the Maltese archipelago
became independent, and in 1974
they became a Republic.
But the 268 years of rule by the
Order left an indelible mark on
the Islands of Malta, on their
population, and on their culture.
There remains a very strong
mutual attraction between
Malta and the Order of Malta.
The Order has no desire to
reinstitute its rule, but it
has a natural longing to
maintain close ties. And it
HYLAND
