Barony of Benwarrad
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The Barony of Benwarrad is a title of Maltese nobility. Malta had, in 1479, become part of the Spanish Empire; and in 1530 became the home of the Knights of St John. Many of the Knights were of noble blood.
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[edit] Creation of the Barony
The Fief of Benwarrad (originally Benuarrat) had been granted to the Attardo, d’Alagona families before 1360; it then passed through the families of Pellegrino (1361); Vaccaro (1398); Nava (1472); Bordino (1510); d’Armenia (1514; Surdo (1559); and finally, in 1737 to the Gatto family. It should be noted that such fiefs were often bought, sold, or became extinct and regranted by a Sovereign of Malta and Sicily.
The Barony of Benwarrad was created 18 August 1737 by Grandmaster Fra Ramon Despuig: Saverio Gatto was named as 1st Baron. The act of creation stated that it was to be for "his descendants in perpetuity, each having the right to nominate a successor, in default of nomination to the first born male descendant, and in absence of male issue, then to the first born female descendant. Members of the clergy are precluded from succession by primogeniture".
[edit] History of the Barony
The Barony of Benwarrad has an interesting history, passing through several families, from Gatto, through Moscati, Montalto de Ribera to the present holders of Attard Montalto.
[edit] Heiresses
Among the heiresses who succeeded to the title were:
- Paola Gatto, the 2nd Baroness, who married Emanuele Moscati-Cassia
- Antonia Moscati-Gatto, the 3rd Baroness, who married twice, firstly to Count Sir Paolo Parisio G.C.M.G., and secondly to Sir Giuseppe Maria de Piro G.C.M.G., 5th Baron di Budaq, both marriages failing to produce an heir; although the Baroness deserted her first husband whom she married when she was fourteen years old. She did, however, remain in Valletta where she settled down with a French officer with whom she had a child. She later married Sir Giuseppe Maria de Piro in 1842. The title moved to Antonia's first cousin, Paolo Montalto de Ribera, who was also Baron di San Paolino. Baron Paolo was succeeded by his daughter, Maria Antonia.
- Maria Antonia, the 5th Baroness, married Dr. Giuseppe Ivo Attard M.D. in 1831. The Attard Montalto held many important posts in Malta, and still currently hold key positions today.
- The present holder is Maria Angela Attard-Montalto, the 8th Baroness, who married in 1948 to Lt. Frank Kitson R.N, and have three children:
- Titled: Dr Michael Kitson as the 9th Baron.
- Heir: His son, Paul Kitson as the Baroncino di Benwarrad. As a result the title will pass into another family, this time the English family of Kitson: part of process of Maltese surnames phasing out, and becoming reminders of the past.
[edit] External link
[edit] References
- Said Vassallo, C.M., Charles Said-Vassallo's Research site and Maltese Nobility web site.
- Burkes Peerage, Baronetage and Knightage of the UK.- 1914 Ed..
- Cassar Desain, Marchese L.A., " Genealogia della famiglia Testaferrata di Malta." Malta, 1880.
- Gauci,C.A.," The Genealogy and Heraldry of the Noble Families of Malta", Gulf Publishing Ltd, Malta, 1981.
- Gauci,C.A.," The Genealogy and Heraldry of the Noble Families of Malta, Volume Two", Publishers Enterprises Group (PEG) Ltd, 1992.
- Gauci,C.A and Mallet, P.,"The Palaeologos Family- A Genealogical Review" ,Publishers Enterprises Group (PEG) Ltd, 1985
- Gauci, C.A.," A Guide to the Maltese Nobility", Publishers Enterprise Group (PEG) Ltd, Malta, 1986.
- Giles Ash, S., "The Nobility of Malta", Publishers Enterprises Group (PEG) Ltd, 1988.
