When Napoleon ousted the Knights from the islands in the Mediterranean campaign of 1798, the French established garrisons in various locations in Malta, as well as the Cittadella and Fort Chambray, the main fortifications on Gozo.

The 217 French soldiers there agreed to surrender without a fight and transferred the island, its fortifications, 24 cannons, a large quantity of ammunition, and 3200 sacks of flour to the British.

King Ferdinand took advantage of Napoleon's absence in the French campaign in Egypt and Syria and of Horatio Nelson's victories and seized Rome on 29 November.

On the approach of the French, Ferdinand fled on December 23 aboard Nelson's ship HMS Vanguard to Palermo, leaving his capital in a state of anarchy.

[8] Emmanuel Vitale, another leader of the Maltese insurrection, became governor, superintendent and the health director of Gozo, a post which he held until his death fourteen months later.