Count Fournier
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Counts Fournier is a title of Maltese nobility. The current count is Stephen Sant Fournier, the ninth Count. His heir is his son, Tyler Sant Fournier, styled the Contino.
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[edit] Origins of title
The Fournier family were merchants from France, having direct connections with the Avignon Papacy in the 15th century with Pope Benedict XII (Pope 1332-1342), formerly Jacques Fournier.
The Fourniers held Seignuerships in southern France, dating back to Hugh Capet in the 10th Century. Many descendants claiming lineage through this family travelled widely One such descendant, being Geronimo Fournier, a merchant, (mercante di drappi con bottega aperta sposo' marilhena), eventually settled in and made Malta a base to expand his business to Africa and later the Ottoman Empire. His son Lazzaro Fournier married Ariete de Pausier - heiress of another Merchant family in Southern France. In turn, their son, Giorgio Fournier, was sent to and educated in the Austrian Army in Tuscany.
Giorgio Fournier's career in the Austrian army flourished, ultimately acquiring ennoblement by Empress Maria Theresa of Austria to the title of Barone de Pausier on 31 March 1768. This title was granted to his legitimate male descendants in order of primogeniture.
Upon retirement and finally returning back to Malta, Giorgio Fournier was presented with the title of Count Fournier de Pausier on the 29th of January, 1770 with a remainder to his descendants in the order of primogeniture. That same year of 1770 his brother in-law, Salvatore Baldassare Sant was created Count Sant to his male descendants in the order of primogeniture for services to Her Imperial Armies of Austria.
[edit] Succession
Count Giorgio Fournier was granted permission of usage of the title of Count Fournier at the chancellery of the order of St. John on the year 1775 with full recognition.
His successor, his son Lazzaro, who held the family business in Merchant and set up an Office in Valletta, was exiled through association to the Freemasons. When the French invaded Malta, he was invited back. But during the ensuing uprising against the French, the Count Fournier had his house and goods confiscated and was banished from the city.
Eventually Lazzaro married in Malta, to the last 'Capitano della Verga'; Modesta Gauci-Azzopardi. The granddaughter of the 1st Barone di Buleben and descendant of the Ancient noble family of Cuzkeri. The Cuzkeri, an ancient spelling, are descendants to much of the Maltese-Sicilian nobility and Royalty. This connection brought an ancient noble blood to a new noble family.
Luigia Fournier, the only successor, succeeded as the 'de-jure' Countess Fournier de Pausier. She married the second son of the 2nd Count Sant (a second cousin) creating a new family: Sant-Fournier. The next holder was the son of Countess Luigia: Lazzaro Sant Fournier, 4th Barone de Pausier, 4th Count Fournier.
Alfred Sant Fournier, succeeded as the 5th Count and Barone. He was fortunate to travel to London to attend the coronation of King Edward VII in 1902, as a member of the Maltese Nobility.
Alfred had three sons Hugo, Edward and Charles. Hugo and Edward were twins. Hugo being the elder of the twins was a sickly heir apparent and at his death in 1910, his younger twin, Edward succeeded as the 6th Count. Edward died in 1951 and was succeeded by his son Alfred, as the 7th Count Fournier. Alfred died in 1973 and was succeeded by his eldest son Alfred, as the 8th Count Fournier and the 8th Baron de Pausier. In turn, he was succeeded by his eldest son Stephen; 9th Count Fournier.
[edit] The Royal Commission
Under British rule all titles were to be presented for usage in Malta. The Royal Commission started finally granted permission to the title of Count Fournier 30th of April, 1878. But the title of Barone de Pausier was not acknowledged by the Commission. (Note: Descendants still carry this title today).
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Said Vassallo, C.M., Unpublished research papers.
- Said Vassallo, C.M.,Charles Said-Vassallo's Research site and Maltese Nobility web site.
- Montalto, J., "The Nobles of Malta-1530-1800", Midsea Books Ltd, Malta, 1980.
- 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.
