The island of Gozo, in modern-day Malta was independent for two years between 1798 and 1800. Until 10 June 1798, Malta and Gozo had been administered by the Order of Saint John. When Napoleon ousted the Knights from the islands, the French took over the Citadel and remained in Gozo for another three months. When the French garrison in Valletta surrendered on 4 September 1800, the British took the whole Maltese archipelago including Gozo under their protection to form the Malta Protectorate, which then became a colony in 1813.