List of grand masters of the Knights Hospitaller

Contents

This is a list of grand masters of the Knights Hospitaller, including its continuation as the Sovereign Military Order of Malta after 1798. It also includes unrecognized "anti-grand masters" and lieutenants or stewards during vacancies.

In lists of the heads of the Order, the title "grand master" is often applied retrospectively to the early heads of the Order. The medieval heads of the Order used the title of custos (guardian) of the hospital. The title magister (master) is used on coins minted in Rhodes, beginning with Foulques de Villaret. The first to use the title grandis magister (grand master) was Jean de Lastic (reigned 1437–1454).[1] Later grand masters in Rhodes used magnus magister (grand master).

In 1607 Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II created the grand master a prince of the Holy Roman Empire (Reichsfürst). This grant was renewed by Emperor Ferdinand II on July 16, 1620.[2][3] On March 20, 1607, Pope Paul V granted the grand master the style of His Eminence and precedence at the Court of Rome immediately after the cardinals.[2]

In 1880 the title of Fürst (prince) was recognised in Austria by the Emperor Franz Joseph I.[4]

On February 2, 1929, the title of principe (prince) and the style of Altezza Eminentissima (Most Eminent Highness) were recognised in Italy by King Victor Emmanuel III.[5]

The style currently used by the grand master is:

Numbered lists of the heads of the Order were published beginning in the early 17th century, with updated editions appearing throughout the 18th century.[6] The numbering of masters and grand masters published in the 1719 Statutes of the Order lists Blessed Gerard as founder without number, Raymond du Puy as 1st Master, and Ramón Perellós (the incumbent as of 1719) as 63rd grand master.[7] The numbering currently used by the Sovereign Military Order of Malta lists Blessed Gerard as 1st master, Raymond du Puy as 2nd master, Ramón Perellós y Rocafull as 64th grand master, and Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto as 80th grand master.[8]

Knights Hospitaller (1099–1310)

No.TitleNameTenureNotes
1[9]Founder and RectorGerardo Sasso1099/1113–1118/20Order established in 1099 and given papal recognition by Paschal II in his bull Pie postulatio voluntatis in 1113.
2[9]GuardianRaymond du Puy1118/20–1158/60Succeeded Gerardo Sasso after Pierre de Barcelona and Boyant Roger served in ad interim capacity. Began the use of the Hospitallers as a military force in the Holy Land and codified rules of conduct for the Order. Introduced the Order's Great Seal.[10]
3[9]Auger de Balben1158/60–1162/63
4[9]Arnaud de Compsc. 1162–1163Historicity uncertain. Arnaud de Comps is today considered by some as a master who never existed, his name having appeared in the chronological lists placed at the top of the statutes, but his rank is still maintained in the lists of the grand masters.
5[9]Gilbert of Assailly1163–1169Supported Amalric of Jerusalem in the Crusader invasions of Egypt.
6[9]Gastone de Murolsc. 1170–1172
7[9]Jobert of Syriac. 1172–1177Acted as regent for king Amalric of Jerusalem in 1172. In 1174, opposed Miles of Plancy in favour of Raymond III of Tripoli.
8[9]Roger de Moulins1177–1187Killed at the Battle of Cresson. Commander William Borrel was appointed grand master ad interim, and he was killed at the Battle of Hattin, 3 months later.
9[9]ProvisorArmengol de Aspa1187–1190Grand master ad interim during the loss of Jerusalem in 1187, headquarters moved to Acre. Included in the canonical list of grand masters compiled in the early modern period. After the capture of Acre and the consolidation of the order, Armengol abdicated, and Garnier de Nablus elected as grand master.
10[9]GuardianGarnier de Nablus1190–1192Supported Richard I of England in the Third Crusade.
11[9]Geoffroy de Donjon1193–1202After his death, succeeded by Pierre de Mirmande as grand master ad interim.
12[9]Afonso de Portugal1202–1206Resigned in 1206.
13[9]Geoffroy le Rat1206–1207First structured the Order by nationality, or langues.
14[9]Guérin de Montaigu1207–1228Fifth Crusade.
15[9]Bertrand de Thessy1228–1231Sixth Crusade.
16[9]Guérin Lebrun1231–1236Conflict with Bohemond IV of Antioch.
17[9]Bertrand de Comps1236–1240Barons' Crusade. Headquarters moved to Jerusalem.
18[9]Pierre de Vieille-Brioude1240–1242Battle of Gaza. Conflict with the Templars.
19[9]Guillaume de Chateauneuf1242–1258Fall of Jerusalem in 1244. Headquarters moved to Acre, Krak des Chevaliers, and Margat. Captured at La Forbie in 1244. Jean de Ronay served as grand master ad interim, dying in 1250 at Mansurah. De Chateauneuf was released by the Ayyubids on 17 October 1250.
20[9]Hugues de Revel1258–1277Loss of Krak des Chevaliers in 1271.
21[9]Nicolas Lorgne1277–1285Loss of Margat in 1285. Upon his death, Grand Commander Jacques de Taxi served as grand master ad interim until his successor Jean de Villiers arrived in the Holy Land.
22[9]Jean de Villiers1285–1294Siege of Acre.
23[9]Odon de Pins1294–1296Headquarters moved to Limisso, Cyprus.
24[9]Guillaume de Villaret1296–1305
25[9]Foulques de Villaret1305–1310Nephew of Guillaume de Villaret. Headquarters moved to Rhodes in 1310.

Knights of Rhodes (1310–1530)

No.TitlePictureNameTenureNotes
25[9]MasterFoulques de Villaret1310–1319Headquarters moved from Cyprus in 1310. Resigned at request of Pope John XXII in 1319. Died in 1327.
Anti-MasterMaurice de Pagnac1317–1319
26[9]MasterHélion de Villeneuve1319–1346
27[9]Dieudonné de Gozon1346–1353
28[9]Pierre de Corneillan1353–1355
29[9]Roger de Pins1355–1365
30[9]Raymond Berengar1365–1374
31[9]Robert de Juilly (de Juliac)1374–1376
32[9]Juan Fernández de Heredia1376–1396Appointed by Pope Gregory XI. Later supported Antipope Clement VII. Deposed by Pope Urban VI in 1382. Continued as Anti-Master at Rhodes until his death.
33[9]Riccardo Caracciolo1383–1395Appointed by Pope Urban VI in 1382.
34[9]Philibert de Naillac1396–1421
35[9]Anton Flavian de Ripa1421–1437
36[9]Grand MasterJean de Lastic1437–1454Siege of Rhodes (1444). First use of the title "Grand Master" (Grandis Magister).
37[9]Jacques de Milly1454–1461
38[9]Piero Raimondo Zacosta1461–1467
39[9]Giovanni Battista Orsini1467–1476
40[9]Pierre d'Aubusson1476–1503Siege of Rhodes (1480)
41[9]Emery d'Amboise1503–1512
42[9]Guy de Blanchefort1512–1513
43[9]Fabrizio del Carretto1513–1521
44[9]Philippe Villiers de L'Isle-Adam1521–1530Siege of Rhodes (1522). Headquarters moved to Malta in 1530.

Knights of Malta (1530–1799)

No.TitlePictureNameTenureNotes
44[9]Grand MasterPhilippe Villiers de L'Isle-Adam1530–1534Headquarters moved from Rhodes in 1530.
45[9]Piero de Ponte1534–1535
46[9]Didier de Saint-Jaille1535–1536
47[9]Juan de Homedes1536–1553Malta was attacked by an Ottoman fleet in 1551. The attack was repelled, but the Ottomans captured the island of Gozo, and later also the Order's stronghold in Tripoli. De Homedes began a program to improve the fortifications at Malta.
48[9]Claude de la Sengle1553–1557Continued the improvement of fortifications, expanding Fort Saint Michael into a major bastion and completing Fort Saint Elmo.
49[9]Jean Parisot de Valette1557–1568Most illustrious leader of the Order, commanding the resistance against the Ottomans at the Great Siege of Malta in 1565.
50[9]Pierre de Monte1568–1572Continued the construction of the new capital Valletta. Strengthened the Order's fleet and participated in the Battle of Lepanto of 7 October 1571.
51[9]Jean de la Cassière1572–1581Crisis in the wake of the Protestant Reformation. Expulsion of the Order of Saint John (Bailiwick of Brandenburg) in 1581.
LieutenantMathurin Romegas1577–1581
Anti-Grand MasterMathurin Romegas1581
52[9]Grand MasterHugues Loubenx de Verdalle1581–1595
53[9]Martín Garzés1595–1601
54[9]Prince and Grand MasterAlof de Wignacourt1601–1622Constructed the Wignacourt towers and the Wignacourt Aqueduct. Repelled the last serious Ottoman attempt at capturing Malta in 1614.
55[9]Luís Mendes de Vasconcellos1622–1623
56[9]Antoine de Paule1623–1636
57[9]Giovanni Paolo Lascaris1636–1657Hospitaller colonization of the Americas.
58[9]Martin de Redin1657–1660
59[9]Annet de Clermont-Gessant1660Died on 2 June 1660, less than four months after his election.
60[9]Rafael Cotoner1660–1663Commissioned the Italian Baroque artist Mattia Preti to start painting St John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta.
61[9]Nicolás Cotoner1663–1680Siege of Candia. Mattia Preti's work at St John's Co-Cathedral completed.
62[9]Gregorio Carafa1680–1690Renovation of Auberge d'Italie in the Baroque style. Improvement of Fort Saint Angelo and Fort Saint Elmo. Ottoman attacks were still expected, but there were no longer any notable engagements.
63[9]Adrien de Wignacourt1690–1697Instituted a widows pension for the widows of those fallen in the Ottoman wars.
64[9]Ramon Perellós1697–1720Organised the Consulato del Mare (Consulate of the Sea). Established relations with imperial Russia. Fought corruption within the Order. Engagement against Ottoman pirates.
65[9]Marc'Antonio Zondadari1720–1722
66[9]António Manoel de Vilhena1722–1736Restored the city Mdina, constructed Fort Manoel, and significantly improved the fortifications of Malta in general. Built Casa Leoni and Palazzo Parisio, and renovated Verdala Palace. Manoel Theatre (1731). Conducted peace negotiations with the Ottomans, without result. Declared neutrality in the War of the Polish Succession.
67[9]Ramón Despuig1736–1741Improved the fortifications of Mdina, modernised legislation, and renovated the Co-Cathedral of St. John. Naval engagements with Ottoman Algeria.
68[9]Manuel Pinto da Fonseca1741–1773Expelled the Jesuits from Malta. Proclaimed the sovereignty of the Order on Malta in 1753 and started a dispute with the Kingdom of Sicily under King Charles V. Normal relations were resumed the next year, with the Order retaining de facto control over Malta as a sovereign state.[11]
69[9]Francisco Ximénez de Tejada1773–1775Rising of the Priests (1775). Bankruptcy of the Order.
70[9]Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc1775–1797Instituted the Anglo-Bavarian langue and the Russian Grand Priory.
71[9]Ferdinand von Hompesch zu Bolheim1797–1799First German elected to the office. Abdicated on 6 July 1799 following the French invasion of Malta.

Timeline

Sovereign Military Order of Malta (since 1798)

No.TitlePictureNameTenureNotes
72[9]Grand Master de factoPaul I of Russia1798–1801Elected by the Priory of St. Petersburg in September 1798 (before the abdication of von Hompesch). Election not confirmed by Pope Pius VII.
Lieutenant de factoNikolai Saltykov1801–1803De facto Lieutenant in Saint Petersburg.
73[9]Prince and Grand MasterGiovanni Battista Tommasi1803–1805Appointed by Pope Pius VII. Headquarters in Messina and Catania.
LieutenantInnico Maria Guevara-Suardo1805–1814Headquarters in Catania.
Andrea Di Giovanni y Centellés1814–1821
Antoine Busca1821–1834Headquarters in Ferrara.
Carlo Candida1834–1845Headquarters moved to Palazzo Malta, Rome.
Filippo di Colloredo-Mels1845–1864
Alessandro Borgia1865–1871
Giovanni Battista Ceschi a Santa Croce1871–1879
74[9]Prince and Grand Master1879–1905Restoration of the office of Grand Master after a 75-year interregnum. Confirmed by Pope Leo XIII.
75[9]Galeas von Thun und Hohenstein1905–1931
76[9]Ludovico Chigi Albani della Rovere1931–1951
LieutenantAntonio Hercolani Fava Simonetti1951–1955
Ernesto Paternò Castello di Carcaci1955–1962Constitutional Charter approved by Apostolic Letter of Pope John XXIII, 24 June 1961.
77[9]Prince and Grand MasterAngelo de Mojana di Cologna1962–1988
Lieutenant ad interimJean Charles Pallavicini1988
78[9]Prince and Grand MasterAndrew Bertie1988–2008Constitutional Charter and Code revised by the Extraordinary Chapter General 28–30 April 1997.[12]
Lieutenant ad interimGiacomo dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto2008
79[9]Prince and Grand MasterMatthew Festing2008–2017First Grand Master elected under the new constitution of 1997. Resigned in 2017.[13]
Lieutenant ad interimLudwig Hoffmann-Rumerstein2017
Lieutenant of the Grand MasterGiacomo dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto2017–2018
80[9]Prince and Grand Master2018–2020
Lieutenant ad interimRuy Villas-Boas2020
Lieutenant of the Grand MasterMarco Luzzago2020–2022
Lieutenant ad interimRuy Villas-Boas2022
Lieutenant of the Grand MasterJohn T. Dunlap2022–2023
81[9]Prince and Grand Master2023–presentFirst Grand Master following the 2022 revision of the Order's constitution.[14][15]

References

  1. 1.Morris (1884), 17–19.
  2. 2.[2.2]Gothaisches Genealogisches Handbuch des Fürstlichen Häuser, Fürstliche Häuser Band 2 (Marburg: Verlag des Deutschen Adelsarchivs, 2018), 175.
  3. 3."Del titolo di 'Altezza' del Gran Maestro dell'Ordine Gerosolimitano", Rivista del Collegio araldico anno I (1903): 271.
  4. 4.Genealogisches Handbuch des Adels, Fürstlicher Häuser Band I (Glücksburg: C. A. Starke, 1951), 178.
  5. 5."Regio Decreto 21 gennaio 1929, n. 61", articolo 51 Gazzetta Ufficiale del Regno d'Italia, Anno 70, Numero 28 (2 febbraio 1929), 526.
  6. 6.Bibliography: Friedrich von Hellwald, Bibliographie méthodique de l'Ordre souv de St. Jean de Jérusalem (1885), 137f. Examples: Abcontrafeiung aller Großmeister des ritterlichen Johanniter-Ordens, Frankfurt 1611. Chevillard, Jacques-Louis, Les noms, qualités, armes et blasons de leurs Eminences Messieurs les Grands-Maistres de l'Ordre de Saint Jean de Jérusalem, dits de Malte, depuis leur origine jusqu'à présent, — Paris (1697, updated 1741). François Clément, Chronologie historique des grands-maîtres de l'Ordre de St. Jean de Jérusalem in: L'art de vérifier les dates, Paris (1770). Cronologia de i Gran-Maestri dello Spedale del Santo Sepolcro, ec. detti di Malta, dedicated to the then-ruling grand master, Ramon Perellos y Roccaful, printed by Domenico de' Rossi in Rome (1709). An updated version of this work was re-published with English translation in 1962. Cronologia De I Gran Maestri Dello Spedale Della Sacra Religione Militare Di S Gio Gerosolimitano E Dell’Ordine Del Santo Sepolcro Oggi Detti Di Malta. (1099 -1962) — Chronology of the Grand Masters of the Hospital of the Sacred Military Religion of St John of Jerusalem and the Order of the Holy Sepulchre now known as the Order of Malta. (1099-1962), translated by Fra John Edward Critien, photography and design by Daniel Cilia, published in collaboration with Heritage Malta (1962), reprinted in 2005, ISBN 9789993270676. Horquet, Karl, Chronologie der Grossmeister des Hospitalordens während der Kreuzzüge, Berlin (1880) The etched portraits used in the list below fictional (with attributed coats of arms) are from a French Histoire des Chevaliers Hospitaliers published in 1726: Monsignor l'Abbe de Vertot, Histoire des Chevaliers Hospitaliers de S. Jean de Jerusalem - appellez depuis les Chevaliers de Rhodes, et aujourd'hui les Chevaliers de Malthe (1726).
  7. 7.Volume che contiene gli statuti della Sacra Religione Gerosolimitana, Orden de Malta, per Antonio Scionico, 1719,1–9 (manual continuation of the chronology to Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc as 69th).
  8. 8."The Grand Masters". orderofmalta.int. Sovereign Military Order of Malta. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  9. 9.[9.2][9.3][9.4][9.5][9.6][9.7][9.8][9.9][9.10][9.11][9.12][9.13][9.14][9.15][9.16][9.17][9.18][9.19][9.20][9.21][9.22][9.23][9.24][9.25][9.26][9.27][9.28][9.29][9.30][9.31][9.32][9.33][9.34][9.35][9.36][9.37][9.38][9.39][9.40][9.41][9.42][9.43][9.44][9.45][9.46][9.47][9.48][9.49][9.50][9.51][9.52][9.53][9.54][9.55][9.56][9.57][9.58][9.59][9.60][9.61][9.62][9.63][9.64][9.65][9.66][9.67][9.68][9.69][9.70][9.71][9.72][9.73][9.74][9.75][9.76][9.77][9.78][9.79][9.80][9.81][9.82][9.83]Numbering according to the SMOM (website orderofmalta.int as of 2017) implies the recognition of Riccardo Caracciolo as 33rd Grand Master, and of Paul I of Russia as 72nd Grand Master (r. 1798–1801).
  10. 10.The Order's Great Seal, or leaden bulla, remained in use, with some modifications, from the 12th century until 1798. Until 1278, when Nicholas de Lorgne introduced a separate conventual bulla, there was no distinction between the seal of the Grand Master and that of the order. The general design of the seal featured, on the obverse, the Grand Master kneeling in prayer before the patriarchal cross. This image was usually accompanied with the sacred letters alpha and omega, which referenced the Second Coming of Christ. The central image was surrounded by a legend with the Master's name followed by the official designation CVSTOS. Barbara Packard, Seals of the Grand Masters, Museum of the Order of St John, 14 October 2015.
  11. 11.Zammit, Vincent (1992). Il-Gran Mastri - Ġabra ta' Tagħrif dwar l-Istorja ta' Malta fi Żmienhom - It-Tieni Volum 1680-1798. Valletta, Malta: Valletta Publishing & Promotion Co. Ltd. pp. 405–406.
  12. 12.Constitutional Charter and Code of the SMOM (1997).
  13. 13.Pullella, Philip (23 June 2016). "Knights of Malta head resigns after dispute with Vatican". Reuters. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  14. 14.Dunlap's election was made possible by the 2022 revisions to the Order's constitution ordered by Pope Francis, which removed the traditional requirement that the Grand Master be able to prove noble ancestry.
  15. 15."The Order of Malta's new Constitution". orderofmalta.int. Sovereign Military Order of Malta. 2022-09-03. Retrieved 2023-05-03.