Interview with a Maltese Noble or of Noble Descent.

 

Comte Emmanuele Muscat d’Angely

 

We hope you can be as detailed as possible in this questionnaire. We aim to publish about once a month with a photograph of each interview upon publication. Ensure that you can send a photograph. The aim of providing a standard questionnaire associated to the Maltese nobility, which will form part of our living history. Use as much space as possible and ensure it is not highlighted. Thank you

 

 

                                                  

Date: 16th October  2005.

 

Link: Barons of Benwarrad

 

Name (Include titles, knighthoods, styles): Emmanuele Muscat, Comte d’Angely

 

Age                            65, married to Yolanda Rossel, with two sons and a daughter.

 

Do you live in Malta?   Yes a few times as we had property in Malta which was given to us by our distant relatives which we had collected rent from. Though this bond with the lessee was nearly  one hundred years from generation to generation until we sold it to them finally.

 

Your profession?        Technical Manager for Manufacturing company in Paris

 

Your association to the Maltese Nobility?    Really our only association was with the late Baroness of Benwarred whom we had met several times in and out of Malta, though we have laid claim to the French title of Comte d’Angely which is in process at present with the French Noble Association.

 

Do you consider your noble connections of any essence today?  Is yes, why?         Totally has an effect with those in your social or work circles, as the common people do not realise that the nobility are simply normal with an expectation of a few super rich families. In France, the nobility do carry some weight regarding the heritage basis and being a descendant of a Famous person (even though illegitimately) does help with being invited to many functions and celebrations relating to the old days.

 

Today, do your noble connections prove to be a hinder or a benefit?          Benefits are numerous at times and sometimes people expect a big tip assuming you’re extremely rich.

 

Do you know your family history, its rise to nobility and thereafter?           Yes, very much so.

 

Do you believe that under the Republic of Malta, the nobility were considered as high-class trash?  When did life improve?   Not at all as the rich had an advantage being above the common class whom suffered at the hands of their elected leaders.

 

Do you believe in a class system today? Its part of life, there will always be the rich and the poor. Nothing can change that. Thankfully we are all not the same, as some spend, some save.

 

Do you believe Malta should pride itself in our glorious past? Yes and be aware of what society as a whole needs to understand where Malta had come from.

 

If not why?

 

For our future, do you consider the Nobility in Malta to become an essential tool to our heritage, especially under EU? Can the Nobility as a whole serve any purpose?  I believe the nobility should serve as a historic and heritage basis only.

 

In your view, generally-speaking, how are the Nobility accepted by the general population? In France they are purely a social aspect, so there isn’t a connection with the general population. Though most are either curious or couldn’t care less.

 

Do the Maltese politicians respect the Nobility? No need to respect, but if elected to the government, then one should be able to use his or her titles.

 

Should the Nobility be given similar rights to the pre-republic times?  I don’t agree to the pre republic times, though usage of titles perhaps on passports similar to the UK.

 

Do you pride yourself in your families past? Naturally it makes good conversation at a dinner table or at a restaurant with family or friends.

 

Do you ensure that your family are aware of its past? Yes I managed to put together a history of our family and genealogy for the future as an heirloom.

 

Do you have any family heirlooms which associate with the glorious past? Actually, we do have some items from the Comte d’Angely but nothing from our Maltese noble connection.

 

Any interesting stories of your family that you can recite here?  (Laughing), Of course being a descendant of a French General and a Maltese Baroness is a story within it self. There is so much data regarding this affair in France and in Malta.

 

Any other details you like to add? How can I succeed to the Maltese Barony of Benwarred as being the senior descendant would give me some aspect of inheriting such a title and all of its properties associating it.

 

Best Regards,

Comte d’Angely

 

 

Thank you for taking the time.

Best Regards

Charles Said-Vassallo

www.maltagenealogy.com

 

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