Emmanuel de Rohan de Polduc, Grand Master of the Order of Malta, 1775 - 1797
- Grand Master De Rohan convened the first Chapter General in 145 years.
- His tenure coincided with the French Revolution, resulting in the loss of the Order's possessions in France.
- During his reign, Tsar Paul I of Russia became Protector of the Order.
- A Russian priory was established and incorporated into the Anglo-Bavarian Langue.
- He was the last Grand Master to die in Malta.
François-Marie des Neiges Emmanuel de Rohan de Polduc was born in La Mancha, Spain, on April 18, 1725.
As a young man, he entered the service of the King of Spain and later moved to Paris, where he joined the Order of St. John as a Knight of Justice.
He gained a fine reputation in Malta, where he was appointed Bailiff, and in 1775, became Captain General of the Galleys.
De Rohan's qualities, noble conduct, and discontent with the previous Grand Master, Ximenes, made him the ideal leader for the Order. He was proclaimed Grand Master on November 12, 1775, to the acclaim of both knights and the Maltese, who held him in high regard.
In 1776, he convened the first Chapter General in 145 years.
Painting of Emmanuel de Rohan de Polduc
His magistry was marked by significant projects and achievements. De Rohan established the Polish priory, which included the properties of the Duchy of Ostrog, and published a new Code of Laws in 1782, in line with the habits and customs of the Maltese people.
He also introduced several reforms and set up the Anglo-Bavarian Langue, incorporating properties from the Bavarian electorate.
During his reign, the French Order of St. Antoine de Viennois was incorporated into the Order of St. John.
He implemented measures to benefit the Maltese, including lowering wheat prices, reducing taxes on imported goods, and reforming the Mint and Postal Service.
Chapel of Anglo-Bavarian Langue in the St. John's Co-Cathedral
Under de Rohan, Tsar Paul I of Russia became Protector of the Order.
De Rohan's magistry coincided with the French Revolution, which led to the loss of the Order's possessions in France.
In 1795, he sent Count Giulio Litta, an Italian diplomat and military commander, to St. Petersburg to train the Russian fleet. Count Litta played a significant role in strengthening the connection between the Order and Russia.
Painting of Count Giulio Litta
Painting of the Russian fleet in the 1700s
Painting of Tsar Paul I of Russia
Meanwhile, Tsar Paul I became interested in the Order and, at de Rohan's invitation, assumed the position of Protector of the Order. A Russian priory was established and incorporated into the Anglo-Bavarian Langue.
In 1796, the building next to the Palace, designed to house the Bibliotheca Publica, was completed.
Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan died on July 13, 1797, at 72 years old, leaving behind a legacy of kindness and benevolence.
He was the last Grand Master to die in Malta, and was buried in the Chapel of France in the Conventual Church of St John (St. John’s Co-Cathedral).
Chapel of Anglo-Bavarian Langue in the St. John's Co-Cathedral