What a Tombstone in Honour of a Knight Reveals About the Story of the Cotoner Family

Someone recently shared this intriguing photo of a tombstone in St. John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta. It marks the final resting place of Michael John Cotoner, whose ashes lie beneath. He was the brother of Nicolás and Rafael Cotoner, both of whom served as Grand Masters of the Order of Saint John. Interestingly, the tombstone’s family name is Cotoner, not Cottoner.

Michael John died during one of the Order’s galley expeditions against the Barbary Coast of North Africa in April 1630. This indicates that he perished during the first campaign the Order undertook against those lands that year. The corsairing season in the Mediterranean traditionally began around mid-April, when sailing conditions became favourable, and concluded around mid-September, after which the sea was often deemed too unpredictable for galley operations. Michael John was born in 1610, meaning that

Below is my English translation of the Latin text inscribed on this funerary monument.

A Noble Brother by the Gift of God

Michael John Cotoner of Majorca

Died on the 20th of April, 1630, at the age of 20

He faithfully followed the call to arms in the Barbary lands,

but soon fell under the power of death.

At the fragile edge between war and mortality,

his life was cut short by the thinnest thread.

His ashes are preserved in an urn

by the devoted care of the Brothers of the Order.

It would not have been fitting

to leave without a memorial

the brother of two Grand Masters of the Order.

The Most Eminent and Most Illustrious Lord

Don Nicolás Cotoner,

Founder of the City of Cottonera

placed this here (in honour of his true brother)

on the 3rd of January, 1673.

N. D. D. F.

(Nobilis Dei Dono Frater)

MICHAEL IO. COTONER MAIORICEN.

AN. 1630 DIE 20. APRIL AET. AN. 20.

MARTIS SIGNA IN BARBARO P. FIDE SECVTVS

MORTIS ILLICO CONCESSIT IMPERIO

MARTISQ[UE] MORTIS

DISCRIMINI TENVISSIMA VITAE LINEA EXPERT.

CINERES COM. FF. ORD. URNA SERVAT.

OVID. NI DECEBAT

DVORVM M. MAG. ORD. FRATRE

CENOTAPHIVM.

E. M. M. H. H.

“Eminentissimus Magnificus Magister Humillimus Humillime”

D. D. E. (Don Domino Eminentissimo) NICOLA. COTONER

COTONERAE. CONDIOR VRB

POSVIT. 3. IANVARII

1673

Notably, this tombstone is described in Latin as a cenotaph. This term is derived from the Greek kenos (empty) and taphos (tomb), meaning “empty tomb.” This indicates that Michael John Cotoner’s remains are not interred beneath this marker; instead, the marble slab serves as a symbolic grave honouring him, while his actual remains lie elsewhere. The inscription mentions that his ashes were kept in an urn, suggesting that the urn was not buried under the tombstone. During that era, it was common for knights and sailors who perished at sea to be buried at sea, as preserving bodies during long voyages was impractical.

In some cases, especially for prominent individuals, their hearts were placed in urns and returned to their families—in this instance, to his brothers Nicolás and Rafael Cotoner. Given that Michael John was born around 1610, he was younger than Rafael, born in 1601 in Palma de Mallorca and who became the 60th Grand Master of the Order, and Nicolás, born in 1608, who served as the 61st Grand Master. Therefore, at the time of Michael John’s death, his brothers were already members of the Order of Saint John.

Rafael Cotoner y de Oleza joined the Order of Malta at the age of seven and ascended through its ranks to become the 60th Grand Master in 1660. He held this position until his death on October 20, 1663. He was succeeded by his brother, Nicolás Cotoner y Chacón (often anglicised as Nicola Cotoner), who became the 61st Grand Master of the Order of Saint John later that same year. Nicola served in this role until he died in 1680. His lengthy tenure is particularly noteworthy for military reforms and extensive fortification projects that significantly strengthened Valletta’s defences.

The tombstone honouring Michael John Cotoner (Michele Giovanni in Italian) was commissioned and installed during Nicola Cotoner’s magistracy. Thus, the monument stands not only as a personal tribute but also as part of the legacy of a family that played a prominent role in the history of the Order of Saint John.

The acronym E.M.M.H.H. stands for Eminentissimus Magnificus Magister Humillimus Humillime, translating to “The Most Eminent, Most Magnificent, and Most Humble Grand Master.” This elaborate title reflects the early modern tradition of combining grandeur with declarations of humility, especially in religious-military orders. Notably, the Order of Saint John bestowed upon Valletta the title Città Umilissima, meaning “Most Humble City.” By adopting the attribute of humility in his own title, the Grand Master symbolically aligned his persona with the city of Valletta, reinforcing the unity between his leadership and the capital where his seat of power resided.

Nicola Cotoner, as Grand Master of the Order of Malta, was honoured with various ecclesiastical titles. The abbreviation D.D.E. preceding his name likely stands for Don Domino Eminentissimo, meaning “To the Most Eminent Lord.” This address was customary in formal inscriptions and correspondences, particularly when referring to individuals of high rank or nobility, such as a Grand Master of the Order of Malta.

Therefore, D.D.E. serves as another honorific prefix, addressing Nicola Cotoner with the utmost respect and acknowledging his eminent position within the Order. Through these Latin honorifics, an educated reader would immediately recognise that this tombstone was commissioned and funded by the Grand Master himself.

Towards the end of the inscription, Grand Master Nicolás Cotoner sought to commemorate his achievements by referring to himself as the founder of the city of Cottonera. The Latin phrase “Cotonerae Conditor VRB” translates to “Founder of the City of Cottonera.” This designation highlights Cotoner’s instrumental role in transforming Bormla into a de facto city. At the time, urban status was often associated with being enclosed by defensive walls, and the construction of the Cottonera Lines elevated Bormla’s standing to that of a fortified city. Cotoner took pride in this accomplishment, ensuring his legacy as the Grand Master who fortified and elevated Bormla.

Between 1663 and 1680, Grand Master Cotoner initiated the construction of an extensive network of fortifications to protect the towns surrounding Malta’s Grand Harbour. These fortifications, collectively known as the Cottonera Lines, encompass the areas of Senglea, Cospicua, and Vittoriosa. The primary objective of this ambitious project was to bolster the island’s defences against potential Ottoman invasions.

The title “Cotonerae Conditor VRB” inscribed on this monument underscores Cotoner’s pivotal role in developing and fortifying this strategically significant region. This phrase honours his contributions and immortalises his legacy as the founder and protector of the area that bears his name. Notably, the project aimed to defend the inhabitants of Bormla by transforming their locality into a well-fortified town akin to Senglea, Valletta, and Birgu. The fortifications effectively unified these enclaves into a single fortified entity, a concept I explored extensively in one of my academic papers.

As a final note, the Latin expression “Cotonerae Conditor VRB” explains the origin of the Maltese term “Il-Kottonera,” which refers to the area comprising Senglea, Birgu, and Bormla. When these cities are mentioned collectively, they are called Il-Kottonera. Therefore, this designation originates from Nicolás Cotoner, who envisioned this enclave of cities to be recognized collectively as a single entity named Cottonera.

While Grand Master Nicola Cotoner initially envisioned fortifying Bormla (Cospicua), which already had defensive walls, the local populace extended this association to include the neighbouring cities of Senglea (Isla) and Birgu (Vittoriosa). This collective perception led to the area being regarded as a single, expansive city, collectively honouring Nicola Cotoner and aligning with his vision for posterity.