ABSTRACT
The first section intends to provide a background to help identify better the motives that catapulted the city of Messina into the midst of a civil war. Then attention will focus on the priory of the Order, as this institution tried to remain afloat in the resulting chaos. The issue of the Order's pre-eminence and its neutrality stance will follow. Though the events of the Messina rebellion of 1674 will be presented in chronological order, particular emphasis will be given to the involvement of the Hospitaller priory. The tug-of-war between the Sicilian viceroy and the grand master will be analyzed, and the resultant actions of the admiral of the Order in the bay of Milazzo will be appraised, as he tried to conform with the difficult instructions received from the convent in Malta. Finally, the ramifications of the revolt on the priory will be discussed.
