History of the Maltese Falcon Even though the book may have garnered more fame, the Maltese Falcon has a major place in the country’s history.  In the early 1500’s the King of Spain gave the island to the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem and because of that a yearly non monetary tax would be due to the King.  The Knights then each year sent along a Peregrine Falcon, or a Maltese Falcon.  The tradition of falconry itself goes even further with evidence dating back to 2,000 BC in Mesopotamia the use of hunting birds evolved into a sport for the wealthy nobles during Medieval Times.  The…