The title Barone di Djar il-Bniet et Bucana forms part of the Maltese Nobility. The title has a two-fold origin, one in a very old noble fief called “Djar il-Bniet” which was granted on the 4 January 1350, and the other in a noble fief called “Bucana” which was granted to a different family on the 11 November 1372.
The fief of “Djar il-Bniet” was united by marriage to the other noble fief of “Bucana” and in 1404, the then possessor was invested in both fiefs, hence giving rise to the joint sobriquet. The possession of the title “Barone di Djar il-Bniet et Bucana” has always been constant, uniform, and unequivocal by the holders of these fiefs, and has long been inscribed in the annals of Maltese history including the main gate to Medieval Malta’s capital city of Mdina which commemorates Antonino Inguanez’s reduction of the islands of Malta to the House of Aragon.
The Grand Master Lascaris of the Order of Saint John attempted to usurp these fiefs in 1660. This was resisted successfully.
This title enjoys the privilege of being the Premier title of the Maltese Nobility and rightly so because it precedes the rule of the Order of Saint John over the Maltese Islands by close to two centuries. Although the title of “Barone di Djar el Biet et Bucana” was not created in 1350, it is was customary in Malta to address the holder of that fief by that title. The date of 1350 is only a date attributed by a Royal Commission in 1878 but there is no doubt that this title had long been accepted by the Government of the Order of Saint John.
Some of the Barons of Djar il Biet and Bucana were never addressed as Baron during their lifetime, but are nevertheless are counted and numbered as Barons here. Other sources may not include some of the Barons listed below, and may consider the Barony to have been created more than once.
By 1442, this Barony came to be held by the Inguanez family, a Maltese family who already enjoyed nobility in Catalunia (Spain) at least since 1400.
Since 1969, succession by fief was abolished in Malta by Act 30 of 1969 dated 21 November, 1969. Provision is made in that law that nothing shall affect any title of nobility, and the laws in force concerning any such titles shall continue to have effect.
Since 1975, titles of nobility are no longer recognized in the Republic of Malta by Act 29 of 1975 dated 17 October 1975.
The title of Djar il-Bniet and Bucana represents the pre-year-1530 Nobility whose history was honourably tied to the identity of the Maltese people.
ORIGIN AND NATURE OF TITLE
The lands of ‘Djar el Bniet’, situated in the Maltese islands were first granted to Francesco Gatto and to the heirs of his body by Louis, King of Sicily (House of Aragon), on the 4th January 1350, by a privilegium given at Messina, the fief having reverted to the Crown after it had been held by Michele Bava.
The actual text reads as follows:
LODOVICUS DEI GRATIA REX SICILIAE per praesens Privilegium notum fieri volumes universes tam praesentibus, quam futuris, quod nos considerantes puram fidem et devotionem sinceram quas Ciccus Gattus Castellanus Castri Insulae Meliveti fidelis noster erga Majestatem Nostram gessit, et gerit satis fideliter et devote, nec non grata obsequia per eum Culmini nostro praestita quae praestat ad praesens et praestare poterit in futurum, Domino Concedente, dicto Cicco suisque haeredibus in perpetuum de suo corpore legitime descendentibus quoddam viridarium cum aquis aquarum cursibus spatiis terries cultis et incultis juribus tenimentis, et pertinentiis suis vocatum de Irbniet situm et positum in tenimento Civitatis Meliveti, suis finibus limitatum, quod quidem viridarium olim tenebat, et possidebat quondam Michael Bava habitator Dictae Civitatis fidelis noster, vita sibi comite, post cuius obitum, suorumque haeredum ad manus nostrae Curiae extitit ratio nobiliter devolutum, de speciali gratia, liberalitate mera, et ex certa nostra scientia duximus concedentum fidelitate nostra haeredum, et successorum nostrorum in eodem Regno nostrae Curiae et cuiuslibet alterius juribus simper salvis; in cuius rei testimonium certitudinem, et cautelam praesens Privilegium sibi ex inde fieri, et Majestatis Nostrae Sigillo pendenti jussimus communiri. Datum Messanae per Nobilem Mattheum de Palicio Comitem Nohariae et una cum Sociis Regni Siciliae Vicarium Generalem, ac ejusdem Regni Cancellarium anno Domcae Incarnationis 1350. IV Jan IV Indictionis Regni Nostri Anno Nono feliciter. Amen
The grant was afterwards confirmed in Malta on the 12th November 1372, by King Frederick, brother of the said King Louis, in favour of Lancea Gatto, son of the above-mentioned Francesco, sub militari servitio unius equi alforati curiae nostrae perinde praestando.
On the death of Lanza Gatto, he was succeeded by his own son Francesco junior. The relative investiture took place at Catania, Sicily on the 14 February 1397 whereby Francesco junior was confirmed by King Martin.
By another privilegium given at Catania on the 15th April 1404, King Martin confirmed in favour of Francesco junior, not only the possession of the fief of ‘Diar el Bniet’, but also that of the fief of ‘Bucana’ which had been granted to his wife’s grandfather by King Frederick on the 11 November 1372.
The actual text of the grant of Bucana reads as follows:
FREDERICUS REX DEI GRATIA REX SICILIAE, et Athenarum, et Neopatriae Dux Praesentis particularis scripti serie notum fieri volumus universes et futuris, quod ad humilem supplicationem Culmini Nostro factam per Guillelmum Murinam de Meliveto fidelem Nostrum considerantes puram fidem et devotionem sinceram, quas idem Guillelmus erga celsitudinem nostrum simper gessit, et gerit, ac grata, et accepta servitia per eum Majestati Nostrae collate fidelitate ferventi, et viribus indefessis, quae confert ad praesens et praestare poterit in futurum, concedente Domino gratiare eidem Guillelmo et suis haeredibus de suo corpore legitime descendentibus in perpetuum quoddam tenimentum terrarum nostrae curiae vocatum Bucanae situm, et positum in insula Meliveti prope’ tenimentum haeredum Michaelis de Bernardo, secus terras Fratris Benedicti Camenza via pubblica, et aliis confinibus, cum juribus, limitibus, redditibus, proventibus, et pertinentiis suis omnibus, suo servitio unius equi Alforati Curia nostra provide praestando; quod servitium idem Guillelmus Curiae nostrae per se, et dictos haeredes suos ipsi Curia sponte obtulit praestiturum protestans proinde fidelitatis debitum juramentum, ac faciens minibus, et ore homagium iuxta sacrarum Constitutionum Imperialum Regni nostril continentiam, et tenorem de liberalitate mera largitate munificentia, et speciali gratia, et ex certa nostra scientia duximus concedendum fidelitate nostra, haeredum et successorum nostrorum in eodem Regno nostrae concessionis futuram memoriam et robur perpetuo valiturum praesens patens scriptum fieri proinde, et sigillo pendenti maiestatis nostrae iussimus communiri. Datum in Insula Meliveti Anno Dominicae Incarnationis M.C.C.C. LXXII novembris xj Indictionis.
Guglielmo (William) Murina had an only daughter Margherita wife of Manfredo Castelli. These in turn also had an only daughter Paola who became the wife of Francesco Gatto.
Francesco junior had an only daughter Imperia wife of Antonio Desguanecks (Inguanez). In the year 1432, Antonio had accompanied King Alfonso to the Barbary as his faithful vassal. The King was triumphant and on his return home, he visited Malta where he stayed as Antonio’s and Francesco’s guest.
Francesco Gatto died in 1442. Although the Gatto family became extinct their legacy was to live on through a female line.
SUCCESSION BY THE INGUANEZ FAMILY, LATER D’AMICO FAMILY, LATER SCEBERRAS FAMILY, LATER McKEAN FAMILY, LATER CHESNEY FAMILY
The Inguanez family’s origins are Spanish but they were probably a Sicilian branch as results from the 1535 document reproduced below. By 1400 this family had already held the fief of Ortigos in Catalunia.
Antonio Inguanez’s father, Angeraldo, was sent by his Sovereign to govern the islands of Malta and Gozo.
On Antonio’s marriage to Imperia Gatto, he received by way of dowry a house in the town of Notabile with several fiefs and many other properties.
Antonio was much favoured by King Alfonso. He was appointed Governor and General of Malta and received many other fiefs and properties. In 1448, the King gave Antonio permission to have the arms of Inguanez placed on the Inner side of the Main Gate at Mdina, beneath the Royal arms, to commemorate Antonio’s havoing reduced the islands of Malta and Gozo to submit to the House of Aragon. These arms adorned the gate until 1798, when these, together with many other escutcheons, were removed by order of the French occupiers. The arms were later restored in 1886.
In addition to the latter privilege, King Alfonso authorized the placing of the united arms of Inguanez and Gatto over the Castle of St. Angelo as a mark of gratitude in testimony for the services rendered to the House of Aragon by Francesco Gatto and Antonio Inguanez.
Antonio’s descendants were consistently and successively invested in the fiefs of Djar il-Bniet and Bucana as follows.
· Angeraldo Inguanez Gatto was invested after Antonio’s death in 1458;
· Antonio Angerao Inguanez was invested in Palermo in 1472 after his father Angeraldo.
· Giacomo Angerao was invested in 1487 after his father Antonio Angerao.
· Marco Angerao Inguanez succeeded his father Giacomo Angerao
· Giacomo Angerao (junior) succeeded his father Marco Angerao
· Antonio Inguanez (junior) succeeded his brother Giacomo Angerao and was invested in 1589.
· Marco Inguanez, younger son of Antonio (junior), usurped the barony in 1608 until his death in 1612. The usurpation happened after his elder brother was absent from Malta.
· Alexander Inguanez, eldest son of Antonio (junior), was fully reintegrated in his rights and acknowledged by the then Grand Master on the 22 December 1612.
· Marco Antonio Inguanez succeeded his father Alexander and was invested on the 3 August 1660
· Marco Antonio Carlo Inguanez succeeded his father Marco Antonio. He was invested twice, once immediately after birth and a second time on attaining his majority. (Recipient if a Magistral recognition – see note below)
· Giovanni Francesco D’Amico Inguanez was after the death in 1760 of Marco Antonio Carlo Inguanez, invested in the fiefs
· Claudio Emmanuele D’Amico who succeeded his father Giovanni Francesco
· Alessandro D’Amico Inguanez who succeeded his nephew Claudio (Retained rights during French Occupation - see note below)
· Vincenzo D’Amico Inguanez who succeeded his father Alessandro (invested by Captain Ball on 5 October 1802)
Since 1969, succession by fief was abolished in Malta by Act 30 of 1969 dated 21 November, 1969. Provision is made in that law that nothing shall affect any title of nobility, and the laws in force concerning any such titles shall continue to have effect.
Since 1975, titles of nobility are no longer recognized in the Republic of Malta by Act 29 of 1975 dated 17 October 1975.
REMARKABLE EVENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE TENURE OF THE FIEFS
Especially remarkable are the following events:-
1. On the same day that he conferred the fief of Diar il Bniet in 1350, King Louis also granted to Cicco Gatto and Lanza Gatto his son and to their heirs in perpetuity, exemption from the payment of dues to the Royal Court, thereby placing them on a footing with the noble patricians of Messina. This privilege reads as follows:
Considerantes fidem puram, et devotionem sinceram, quas Chiccus Gattus Castellanus Castri Insalae Meliveti, et Lanza Gattus filius ejus, fidelis Nostri erga Majestatem Nostram gesserunt, et gerunt satis fideliter, et devote; nec non grata obsequia per eos Culmini Nostro praestita animo indefesso, et quae praestant ad praesens, et praestare poterunt in futurum, auctore Domino, gratiora quae remuneratione maxima digna sunt.
The privilege was also confirmed in 1372 and is expressed in the following words:
Notum fieri volumes universes tam praesentibus, quam futuris, quod Judex Lancae de Gatto de Melivete familiaris, et fidelis Noster praesens coram Nostrae Majestatis aspectu consulit, et praesentavit Curiae Nostrae quoddam privilegium, etc. Serenissimi Principis Domini Ludovici dicti Regni Regis Illustris Carissimi Fratris Nostri bon memor etc.
2. Giacomo Angerao Inguanez Gatto was an avid opponent to Malta being granted to the Order of Saint John. Prior to this radical change, Giacomo Angerao enjoyed a number of privileges including the Governorship of Malta as well as Ambassador Extraordinary. However seeing that this had come to an end in 1530, he applied for permission to the King of Spain so that he may emigrate from Malta without incurring any penalties from the new rulers of Malta. Permission was in fact given by the King on the 21 March 1536 by a letter which reads as follows:-
DON CARLO BY THE DIVINE MERCY EMPEROR OF THE ROMANS, always August King of Germany, Donna Giovanna His Mother, and the same Don Carlo, by the Grace of God, Sovereign of Castile and Arragon, of the two Sicilies, of Jerusalem, of Hungary, of Toledo, of Valencia, of Galizia, of Mallorca, of Seville, of Sardinia, of Cordova, of Corsica, of Murcia, of Jaen, of the Algarvi, of Algesira, of Gibraltar, of the Canary Island, and lands of the Oceanic Sea, Archdukes of Austria, Dukes of Burgundy and of Brabant, Counts of Barcellona, of Flanders, and of the Tyrol, Lordsof Biscaglia, of Molina, and Dukes of Athens and of Neupatria, Counts of Rosiglione and of Cerdagna, Marquises of Orestagni and Gariano.
To the Most Reverend the Grand Master of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, of the Cerco of Rhodes, our very dear and well beloved friend, health and every good wish.
The Mag. co. Giacomo Angrao Inguanez of that city of Malta, having by means of his son Marco Inguanez, sent to petition that he being a gentleman, and person who prompted by good and just reasons, no longer wishes to live in that island, but to go over with all his property, he and his children, and several relations, to live in our Kingdom of Sicily, from whence those of his family derive their extraction. We decide that he is to be given permission to do this, without incurring thereby any punishment or disobedience whatsoever; and should he leave any of his fiefs, or possessions, they are not to be seized or prejudiced; and We in consideration of the services that he, and those of his house, rendered to the most Serene Kings of Arragon, our predecessors, and afterwards to ourselves, it is our wish that so it should be, to such effect we beg you, and we recommend to you affectionately, that should it be the wish of the aforesaid Giacomo Angerao Inguanez, and his children and relations, with all their property and family, to go over and live in our Kingdom of Sicily, you are not to give him, or to allow him, to be given trouble or anxiety, or to oppose any hindrance or difficulty whatsoever; and should they wish to sell their property, you will allow them to do so, and should they leave any fief or other property to be sold, you will see that they enjoy the same, treating them in all their affairs, well and favourably as our good and legal servants, and that every thing done by you for them, We shall receive from you with special favour. And so be it, very Reverend Grand Master of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, our very dear and beloved friend. God our Lord have you in his keeping and protection.
From Naples the XXI day of the month of March, of the year of the birth of our Lord 1536.
Giacomo Angerao Inguanez never emigrated. However, his son Marco Angerao died at Catania in 1577.
3. Marco Antonio (1660) was challenged by Grand Master Lascaris. A judgment dispossessed Marco Antonio of the fiefs. His appeal was upheld by the Viceroy of Sicily who immediately reminded the Grand Master that he too was a servant of the Crown as subject to the Royal authority of the Court of Sicily. Lascaris died and his successor Grand Master Redin revoked the former judgment declaring that Marco Antonio ws the lawful holder of the fiefs.
4. Marco Antonio Carlo Inguanez witnessed the first creations of title of nobility by the Grand Masters of the Order of Saint John. Unlike these new families (with the exception of the Testaferrata family which had already long been in possession of nobility) which all required innovative legislation to attain nobility, the Barone Inguanez saw no need for a new title.
It would have been most untactful, albeit desirable, of the Grand Masters to grant a new title of nobility to Malta’s principal feudatory. Instead the Grand Masters opted to keep on recognizing Baron Marco Antonio for what he was, namely a nobleman enjoying a descent of the greatest antiquity.
For example, when in 1725, the titles of “Illustrissimo” and “Nobile” were being abused so much that Grand Master Vilhena decided to criminalize the attribution of either title to anyone in any writing, contract and public acts, the first persons to be exempted by the very same Barone Marc’ Antonio Carlo Inguanez and his wife the Baronessa, and their descendants. That is to say they could continue being called “Nobile” or “Illustrissimo” or both. Similarly, Marc’ Antonio Carlo was moreover thirty-four times between the years 1705 and 1760, appointed Capitano della Verga, and always designated as Barone Inguanez.
According to the 1878 Report described below, the aforesaid enactment of 1725 and appointments were tantamount to the Government of the Order of Saint John accepting the title of Barone di Djar il-Bniet et Bucana as one of the titles forming part of the Nobility in Malta.
5. After the death in 1760 of the Barone Marco Antonio Carlo Inguanez, the fiefs were invested in favour of the descendants of Ersilea Fiott-Farrugia Inguanez and Pietro D'Amico-Castelletti who are the descendants of the Barone Alessandro Inguanez. This succession was confirmed by judgments of the Supremo Magistrato di Giustizia di Malta one of the 4 November 1761 in favour of Gio Francesco D’Amico Inguanez, and another of the 22 November 1782 in favour of Alessandro D’Amico Inguanez.
6. Notwithstanding the French abolition of nobiliary titles ordering the destruction of the relative grants (see below) the Barone Alessandro D’Amico requested that he be exempted from destroying the original grants of the two fiefs as results from the following order
Liberta’ Equalita’
REPUBBLICA FRANCESE
Municipalita’ dell ‘Ovest della Citta’ di Malta
Ci fu presentata dal Cittadino Alessandro Damico una carta contenente il suo possesso di due fondi rustici ai quali era annesso il titolo di Baronia abolito colli altri tutti dichiarandosi pronto di esibire le carte di semplice titolo per abbruciarsi nel di festivo delli 16 Messidor (14 Luglio scorso) a motivo pero’ dell interesse che in quella si contiene, ha bramato sapere se poteva ritenerla come documento, onde provare in futuro la proprieta’ di pred. due feudi denominati Bucana, e Diar el Biniet; noi la assicurammo che tale carta era simile in tutte le sue parti a quella contenente l’egual possesso di due consimili feudi rustici denominati Gariexem e Tabia spettanti alal Cittadina Chiara Cassia esibitaci dal Cittadino Gio. Francesco Sant suo marito attuale Tesoriere Generale della Commissione di Governo e come quella meritare conservarsi per conforme coutela e future pacifico possesso, a tenore dell’ ordine e facolta’ concessa dal Governo delli B. Messidor sud. In piedi del memoriale da esso fatto a nome della D. Citadina Chiara sua moglie, in cui dopo avere Egli esposto di riternerla, o di essere contracambiata, con altro equivalente Documento, ordinossi col seguente Decreto -----Si aderisce alla domanda di ritenere la sudetta carta relattiva a suoi interressi Bosredon Ransijat Presidente – e per memoria del vero ad istanza del riferito Cittadino Damico abbiamo formato questa dichiarazione da noi sottoscrita.Il Presidt LIBRERIIl Segretario Amabile Vella
Si presente, si registri, e si restituisca alla parte.
Gregorio Bonici Presidente della Municipalita’ della Citta’ Vecchia
Salvatore Bernard Municipale della Citta’ Vecchia
Lorenzo Pullicino, altro Municipale di dta. Citta’
Romualdo Barbaro, altro Municipale di detta Citta’
Giuseppe Bonici altro Municipale di essa Citta. A di 13 Thermidor anno 6 della Republica Francese 31 Luglio 1798.
‘E stata presentata la presente petizione dal Cittadino Alessandro Damico prop. Et ne. nell’ officio della Municipalita’ della Citta’ Vecchia, e ricevuto la quale fuq registrata nel Libro delle petizioni fo. 3 e 4 conservato in dett’ officio, e registrato poscia a detta parte presentante a tenor del decreto di detta Municipalita’. Onde
Il Segretario
Gaetano Vitale
PRECEDENCE ENJOYED BY THE HOLDER OF THE TITLE OF BARONE DI DJAR Il-BNIET ET BUCANA
In 1739, the then Grand Master Depuig introduced the concept of according a form of precedence to a holder of a title of nobility. The relative law is reproduced hereunder:-
Hosplis Mgr et Hierlem Sti. Sepulchri. - Per togliere le differenze di precedenze tra le persone che saranno promosse alla giurazie dell’ Universita’ della Notabile e della Valletta, vogliamo, ordiniamo e comandiamo che tutte siano precedue dagli infrascritti, e che fra queti si regoli la precedena call’ ordine seguente cioe’: Primieramente, chi fu Capitano della Verga della Sudetta Citta’ Notabile e nostra Isola di Malta.; Secondo. Il Titolato che ha un titolo fondato sopra un feudo in realta’ esistente qui, benche’ non lo possegga.; Terzo. Il titolato che non ha un titolo fondato sopra fondo realmente esistente nel nostro Dominio, registrato che sia il titolo nella Cancelleria nella nostra Religione e nella Gran Corte della nostra Castellania, e pagato per i rispettivi registramenti il diritto di scudi cento sedici di questa moneta, da dividersi per meta’ tra la Cancelleria e la Castellania sudetta.; Quarto. Il discendente per linea mascolina da chi fu Capitano della Verga, se vive colle proprie rendite, e se i di lui ascendente intermedie vissero pure colle proprie rendite.; Quinto. Il discendente per linea mascolina da un titolo con titolo fondato sopra un feudo qui realmente esistente, se vive colle proprie rendite, e se i suoi ascendenti intermedie cosi vissero; Sesto. Chi fu primo Giurato della Notabile; Settimo. Chi fu primo Giurato della Valletta; Ottavo. Il piu’ anziani di Giurazia di quella Universita’ della quale sara’ creato giurato.; Nono. Chi fu Giudice d’Appello Criminale o Civile della Gran Corte della Castellania e della Corte Capitanale e Governatoriale; Diecimo. Il Dottore di Leggi ed il Dottore di Medicina.: - Dichiariamo che fra le persone d’un stesso grado si deve attendere l’anzianita’ del titolo primordiale e che chiunque fu Giurato, se sara’ fatto Console di Mare, fra i quali s’attendera l’anzianita d’ufficio. Dat. In Palatio, die xvi. Septembris 1739 (f. Despuig)
On the basis of this enactment it follows that having been a Capitano della Verga for many years, the Barone Marco Antonio Carlo Inguanez was entitled to precedence over every one else. Moreover as possessor of a noble fief he was entitled to a precedence. However, this enactment put the Barone in a prejudiced position because any title of a higher rank (namely a Count or a Marquis) even if originating outside Malta, would be granted greater precedence. This anomaly was finally rectified in 1795 by Grand Master Rohan as follows
Hosplis Magr. Hierlem. Sti. Sepulchri, et Ordinis Sti Antonii, Viennensis Essendo una massima universalmente ricevuto, che il maggior lustro della Nobilta’ principalmente dipende dalla sua maggiore antichita’, niente che il piu’ giusto e ragionevole che il piu’ antico Nobile preceda il piu’ moderno. Siamo pertanto venuti nella determinazione di Ordinare che nel regolarsi la precedenza tra le persone Nobile di questo nostro Dominio, cosi’ primogeniti che cadetti indistintamente, si abbioa ad avere unicamente riguardo alla maggiore o minore antichita’ del titolo che nobilito le loro famiglie, e cio tanto se il titolo sara’ stato concesso da Noi o Nostri predecessori, che se lo avessero ottenuto da Principi esteri, purche’ pero sara’ stato questo debitamente registrato nella Nostra Cancelleria e Gran Corte della Castellania; nel consorso pero’ di ugual data quello nella di cui persona concorreranno piu’ titoli dovra’ essere preferito, all’ altro che ne avesse meno, secondo la graduazione stabilita nel Chirografo Magisteriale del Nostro Predecessore Gran Maestro Despuig di Gl. Em. Del 16 Sept 1739, quale in quelle parti che non contradicono la questa nostra disposizione intendiamo di pienamente confermare. Datum in Palatio die xvii Martii 1795 (f.) Rohan
In view of the latter enactment the Barone di Djar il-Bniet et Bucana and his male-to-male descendants were to rank before the holder of any title created after that date and respective descendants. Therefore, it follows that the Barone di Djar il-Bniet et Bucana ranks before all the Counts and Marquises which were created much later, even though all the latter titles purport a higher rank. The same position holds in regard to the respective male-to-male descendants. Conversely, the Barone di Djar il-Bniet et Bucana ranks after the older (if any) noble fiefs.
Grand Master Rohan is also credited with codifying various laws in Malta. Amongst these, we find in the Code enacted in 1783 which states that the determining criteria of primogeniture in Malta operate in the following order:- Line (the first line excluding all the others), Degree (the closer degree of relationship excluding the remoter) Sex (the male sex being preferred to the female), and Age (the elder being preferred to the younger).
THE ROYAL COMMISSION APPOINTED TO ENQUIRE INTO THE CLAIMS OF THE MALTESE NOBILITY
After the Capitulation of the Order of Saint John the new French Rulers formally abolished all titles of nobility. (General Napoleon Bonaparte issued two orders dated 13 and 16 June 1798 prohibiting the use of any title “Ordre (1) Quartier General de malte, le 25 Prairal, an VI (13 Juin 1798): Le General en Chef ordonne……(Article 2.)… Toutes les armoires seront abbatues dans l’ espace de 24 heures. Il est defendu de porter dest livrees, ni aucune marque et titre distinctif de noblesse. Ordre (2) Au Quartier General de malte, le 28 Prairal, an VI (16 Juin 1798): Bonaparte Membre de l’Istitut National, General-en-Chef ordonne…(Article Cinquieme)….Dix jours apres la publication du present ordre, il est defendu d’avoir des armoires soit dans l’interieur, soit a l’exterieur des maisons, de cacheter des lettres avec des armoires, ou de prendre des titres feodaux. ……(Article Douzieme)….Tous les contrevenants aux articles cidessous, seront condamnes pour la premier fois, a une amende du tiers de leurs revenus; pour la seconde fois, a trois mois de prison; pour la troisieme fois a un an de prison; pour la quatrieme fois, a la deportation de l’ile de Malte, et a la confiscation de la moitie de leurs biens. Il devra toujours y avoir 10 jours d’intervalle entre la recidive.”
Another Order was issued by Bosredon Ransijat, President of the Commission du Gouvernement dated 18 Messidor Year 6 (6 July 1798), where it was enacted that all honorary titles should be burnt on the 14th of that month and that every holder of a title should carry his patent at the Arbre de la Liberté.
The French in turn lost Malta in 1800 to a contingent raised by Captain Ball and Admiral Nelson. Malta later became a British Protectorate after the Treaty of Paris of 1814.
In time, the use of nobiliary titles was resumed. However, it appears that this use was unregulated.
In 1870 the Marchese Giorgio Crispo Barbaro published a compendium of the “Maltese Nobility and the Maltese Gentry holding Foreign Titles”. In that publication Giorgio Crispo Barbaro describes Teresa Damico Inguanez as a Maltese Lady holding the foreign title of “Bucana and Diar el Bniet” created on the 13 November 1372 by King Ferdinand of Sicily. - See full text of the Crispo Barbaro’s book at http://www.saidvassallo.com/SME/1870%20barbaro.pdf
In 1876, the British Secretary of State for the Colonies commissioned a report on those titles alleged to have been conferred to Maltese families before the annexation of Malta to the British Dominions, namely 1800. The Commissioners’ Report and Supplemental Report were published in 1878 together with relative correspondence. See full text of the 1878 reports at www.saidvassallo.com/SME/maltesenobility1878.htm )
UNSUCCESSFUL CLAIM OF ALESSANDRO SCEBERRAS. TITLE CONFIRMED IN FAVOUR OF MARIA TERESA DAMICO
In 1878 the title of barone of the two fiefs of ‘Djar el Bniet’ and of ‘Bucana’ was claimed not by Teresa D’Amico but by her nephew Alessandro Sceberras.
The Commissioners explained that although the Barone Alessandro Sceberras proved his descent from the before-mentioned Francesco Gatto; they could not accept his claim because he was not the then possessor of the two fiefs in question.
The Commissioners noted that in fact the two fiefs were actually held by Baronessa Maria Teresa Damico.
The Royal Commission therefore concluded that to Maria Teresa Damico belongs the title of “Baronessa di Diar el Bniet” and “Bucana”, and that Alessandro Sceberras, her nephew, cannot at present claim this title.
In regard to the fact that the title of “Barone” does not appear to have been expressly granted in the Privilegia given in 1350 and in 1372, the Royal Commission held that there are sufficient grounds for holding that at a later period that title was conferred or recognized. In particular the Royal Commissioners held that the aforesaid enactment of 1725 proved that the holder of the two fiefs in question, and his descendants were recognized as barons.
The Commission concluded that the date of creation of the title is title stated to be the 4th January 1350.
CONTROVERSIES
The foregoing reasoning of the Royal Commission implies that any claim to this title could only be made if based on the tenure of the fiefs of “Diar el Bniet” and “Bucana” (together). This view is further reinforced by the fact that unlike what is stated in the report, Marc’Antonio Inguanez died without issue in 1760 and the fiefs were succeeded by his kinsmen the D’Amico Inguanezes who came to enjoy the title of “barone”.
However, it now appears that in Malta the holding of properties in fief, was subsequently revoked by the 1969 law. Provision is made in that law in the sense that nothing therein ‘affects any title of nobility’, thereby ensuring a statutory exception to the automatic extinction of a nobiliary title in the event of an extinction of the fief to which the title refers. Thus although the fiefs of “Diar el Bniet” and “Bucana” were extinguished in 1969 and therafter held like any other property, the title remained protected.
The controversy is whether this title should descend according to the rule of primogeniture, or whether the title should “follow” the ownership of both of the said properties or either one of them.
OTHER ENTITLEMENTS
For the purposes of precedence amongst the Nobility in Malta, this title ranks according to antiquity of creation. According to the 1878 Report, the title of Barone di Djar el Bniet et Bucana was considered to have been granted as a title in 1350. Therefore this title ranks before all other titles.
As from the year 1886, the holder of this title of Nobility became entitled to be styled “The Most Noble”. (See: History of “The Most Noble” at http://www.saidvassallo.com/SME/maltesenobility.htm
The presumed successor of this title is by custom entitled to be styled Baroncino di Djar el Bniet et Bucana. (See: Value of the Maltese usage of “Marchesino, Contino and Baroncino” at www.saidvassallo.com/SME/deimarchesino.htm
Other descendants of the various holders of this title are by custom entitled to be styled dei Baroni di Djar el Bniet et Bucana. (See Value of the Maltese usage of “dei Marchesi, dei Conti and dei Baroni” at www.saidvassallo.com/SME/deicontiebaroni.htm
PRESENT DAY
Since 1969, succession by fief was abolished in Malta by Act 30 of 1969 dated 21 November, 1969. Provision is made in that law that nothing shall affect any title of nobility, and the laws in force concerning any such titles shall continue to have effect.
Since 1975, titles of nobility are no longer recognized in the Republic of Malta by Act 29 of 1975 dated 17 October 1975.
GENEALOGY
The genealogy of the Barons of Djar el Bniet et Bucana is as follows:
Following date of 1350 as determined by 1878 Report
· Cicco Gatto, 1st
· Lancea Gatto, 2nd
· Francesco Gatto, 3rd,
· Antonio Inguanez , 4th
· Angeraldo Inguanez Gatto, 5th
· Antonio Angerao Inguanez, 6th
· Giacomo Angerao, 7th
· Marco Angerao Inguanez, 8th
· Giacomo Angerao (junior), 9th
· Antonio Inguanez (junior), 10th
· Marco Inguanez, 11th (USURPER)
· Alexander Inguanez, 12th
· Marco Antonio Inguanez, 13th
· Marco Antonio Carlo Inguanez, 14th
· Giovanni Francesco D’Amico Inguanez, 15th
· Claudio Emmanuele D’Amico, 16th
· Alessandro D’Amico Inguanez, 17th
· Vincenzo D’Amico Inguanez, 18th
· Maria Teresa D’Amico Inguanez, 19th
· Maria Francesca Sceberras D’Amico Inguanez, 20th
· Alexander Ian Chesney Sceberras D’Amico Inguanez, 21st
· Frances Chesney Sceberras D’Amico Inguanez, who succeeded her brother Alexander Ian, 22nd
· Carmel Apap Bologna Sceberras D’Amico Inguanez, who succeeded his relative, Frances Chesney, 23rd
For full Genealogy of the Barons of Djar el Bniet et Bucana please see http://www.maltagenealogy.com/libro%20d'Oro/djarilbniet.html and http://www.maltagenealogy.com/libro%20d'Oro/djarilbniet1.html
PRIMARY REFERENCES (GRANT/S):
1. Grant of lands of ‘Djar el Bniet’, situated in the Maltese islands to Francesco Gatto and to the heirs of his body by Louis, King of Sicily (House of Aragon), on the 4th January 1350, by a privilegium given at Messina.
2. Confirmation of Grant dated 12th November 1372, by King Frederick, brother of the said King Louis, in favour of Lancea Gatto, son of the above-mentioned Francesco, sub militari servitio unius equi alforati curiae nostrae perinde praestando.
3. Investiture by King Martin of Francesco Gatto in the lands of “Djar el Bniet’ on the 14 February 1397 in favour of Francesco Gatto (junior)
4. Privilegium given at Catania on the 15th April 1404, whereby King Martin confirmed in favour of Francesco junior, not only the possession of the fief of ‘Diar el Bniet’, but also that of the fief of ‘Bucana’ which had been granted to his wife’s grandfather by King Frederick on the 11 November 1372.
5. Grant of lands of ‘Bucana’, situated in the Maltese islands to Guglielmo Murina and to the heirs of his body by King Frederick on the 11 November 1372
SECONDARY REFERENCES (HISTORY):
(1) Correspondence and Report of the Commission appointed to enquire into the claims and grievances of the Maltese Nobility, May 1878, presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty (C.-2033.): (See: Full text at www.saidvassallo.com/SME/maltesenobility1878.htm
(2) Report of the Committee of Privileges of the Maltese Nobility on the claims of certain members of that body with the Secretary of State’s Reply, August 1883, presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty (C-3812) (See: Full text at www.saidvassallo.com/SME/maltesenobility1878.htm
(3) Copies or Extracts of Correspondence with reference to the Maltese Nobility (In continuation of C3812, August 1883), presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty May 1886 (C-4628a) (See: Full text at www.saidvassallo.com/SME/maltesenobility1878.htm
(4) John Montalto, “The Nobles of Malta 1530-1800” (Midsea Books, Malta, 1980)
(5) Anon “The Family of Inguanez” (Malta, 1888) - reprinted in 1979 to form part of Marcel DINGLI ATTARD, “The Family of Inguanez”(Interprint Malta, 1979)
TERTIARY REFERENCES (PUBLISHED GENEALOGY):
(1) Crispo Barbaro "The Nobles of Malta, and The Maltese Gentry holding Foreign Titles as at present existing by Geo. G.C.’A. Crispo Barbaro Marquis of St. George” Malta:- A.D. MDCCCLXX (The Anglo-Maltese Press, Malta, 1870)" (See: Full text at http://www.saidvassallo.com/SME/maltesenobility1870.htm
(2) Charles Gauci "The Genealogy and Heraldry of the Noble Families of Malta" (Gulf Publishing, Malta, 1981)"
(3) Charles Gauci A Guide to the Maltese Nobility" (PEG Publications, Malta, 1986)
(4) Charles Gauci "The Genealogy and Heraldry of the Noble Families of Malta VOLUME TWO " (PEG Publications, Malta, 1992)
(5) Charles Gauci "The Genealogy and Heraldry of the Noble Families of Malta VOLUME ONE " (PEG Publications, Malta, 2002)
OTHER:
1. TABULAR VIEW OF PUBLISHED INCONSISTENCIES RELATING TO THE ORIGIN OF NOBILIARY TITLES CONNECTED TO MALTA http://www.saidvassallo.com/SME/maltesenobilityoverview.htm
2. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE SEE:- Said Vassallo, C.M.,Charles Said-Vassallo's Research site and Maltese Nobility web site http://www.maltagenealogy.com