Memories about the way of making lime. Production and distribution in Malta under the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem

This contribution sheds light on the production and distribution of lime in Malta under the rule of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem during the early modern period. By examining key documents from the Historical Archive of Masino Castle and the National Library of Valletta, we aim to reconstruct the lime production process in Malta, which was heavily regulated by the presence of the Order of Saint John since their establishment in the Maltese archipelago after Emperor Charles V's donation in 1530. Freshwater, scarce on an island like Malta, was crucial for construction and highly valued. Its supply was necessary for lime processing, mortar mixing, plaster and finish production, as well as stone slab and block cutting. The entire process was meticulously regulated by the knights, who leased out the kilns rather than paying laborers, as the Common Treasury invested heavily in lime preparation. Additionally, the Hospitallers oversaw each stage of the formation process to minimize waste, ensuring high-quality products, which knights could verify themselves.