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Title:
Count
Title in succession:
9th
Date created:
8th July1720
Grant by: Francis
I Farnese, Reigning Duca di Parma
Granted To:
Dr. Bernardo Piscop Macedonia LL.D
Rep: Manduca
Azopardi Piscopo Macedonia
Remainder to: his
successors in perpetuity
(both in Nomination and Primogenito see Note 4)
Present Holder:
Alfred Manduca
Piscopo Macedonia
Note (details):
Title went into abeyance in 1775, and in 1776 the title would
only qualify as a 'foreign title'.
This title was regranted in 1883
Correspondence and Report of the Commission,
in 1992 at the death of Bernardo who
died without an heir, this title went
into abeyance once again. Was later brought out of abeyance by
the COP in favour of
Alfred, the present title
holder.
The title of Mont’Alto was
granted to Dr Bernardo Piscopo-Macedonia LL.D, a jurat of
Notabile in 1720 at Piacenza by Francis I Farnese, Reigning
Duca di Parma.
Bernardo, being without issue
petitioned for permission to nominate one of his grand-nephews
as his successor to the title , the further descent being to
the male issue of his successor according to primogeniture. He
also asked for permission to found a primogeniture based on
the fief. The Duke of Parma gave his assent on 1724 and 1725.
The feudatory of the old and noble
fief of Mont'Alto in the Duchy of Parma, given to Bernardo
Piscopo and his direct descendants were also entrusted with
this prerogative. Although, in practice, a Titolato had to
register his title in both the cancelleria and in the
Castellania and pay a fee of 116 scudi, the absence of such a
registration did not necessarily invalidate the act of
ennoblement.
The petition of the first Count of
Mont'Alto was not only accepted, but the Italian Grand Master
Zondadari issued a special decree to that affect.
The owners of a large number of owners
were prosperous, prominent persons who were to become
ancestors of the new nobility created in the eighteenth
century. Bernardo Macedonia the Capomaestro of the Gozitian
artillary and the ancestor of Count Piscopo Macedonia built,
in 1613, the tower of Sant Cilia on the outskirts of Mgarr in
Gozo. In 1628, Grand Master de Paule granted a special
privilege to all those who lived on Macedonia's lands
exempting them from all
guardie.
Bernardo nominated his eldest grand
nephew , Felice Manduca-Piscopo.
Felice ,the 2nd Count of Mont’Alto
died in 1775, leaving no male issue, where upon his brother,
Salvatore Manduca-Piscopo petitioned Ferdinand I, Duke of
Parma for permission to inherit the title. This request was
granted on the 28th of December 1776. Since then , the title
has descended thru the male line according to primogeniture.
For matters of precedence in Malta, the title is considered to
have been granted in 1776. The holder of the primogeniture is
obliged to used the Name and Arms of Piscopo-Macedonia.
During the last years of the Order of
Malta, Hompesch appointed three Counts (Manduca, Barbaro and
Teuma Castelletti) and one Marquis ( Mallia-Tabone) as Jurats
of Notabile.
Under the French occupation, the
parents had to pay 800 livres for their sons' board and
lodging, and 600 livres for their passage on board French
warships. The chosen studnets had to waer 'blue trousers and
waistcoats, red cuffs, and facing and white pipings'. Those
families who refused to send their sons to France were to be
fined 1000
scudi. Among those who were intially chosen were the young
Count Fontani, the three sons of Count Sant, and four other
boys whose fathers were respectively Baron
Galea, Marquis Mallia, Count Manduca, and Marquis
Testaferrata.
Salvatore, the 3rd Count was succeeded
by his son in 1800, Sir Vincenzo Manduca-Piscopo-Macedonia
K.C.M.G, 4th Count was a member of the Malta council of
Government and married the daughter of the Baron di San
Marciano, though died without any children.
His successor was his nephew , Rev.
Mgr. Salvatore Manduca-Piscopo-Macedonia, Domestic Prelate to
H.H The Pope and Apostolic Pronotary.
Died unmarried in 1885, succeeded by
his nephew , Francesco Manduca-Piscopo-Macedonia, as the 6th
Count.
Francesco married twice, firstly to
Nicolina Azzopardi dei Baroni di Buleben , without issue, and
secondly to her sister Angiolina, with issue.
Francesco , died in 1916 and succeeded
by his eldest son , Bernardo, who died in 1972, unmarried.
Bernardo’s successor was his nephew,
Francis, who was also Baron di Buleben.
Francis was the first in his family to
hold both titles of Count of Mont’Alto and Baron di Buleben,
untill his death, when the titles were split between his sons.
Alfred Manduca, the successor and
present holder to the title of Count of Mont'Alto, married to
Marika Anne (Muccia) nee' Vassallo with issue.
1.1. Luisa Manduca-Piscopo-Macedonia,
(1981-.
1.2. Michela
Manduca-Piscopo-Macedonia, (1992-.
1.3. Sarah Rose
Manduca-Piscopo-Macedonia, (1994-.
1.4. Nicola Manduca-Piscopo-Macedonia,
(1996-.
A short version of the Barons of
Buleben and the Counts of Montalto
Francesco Manduca Piscopo Macedonia
Azopardi (1851-1916) 6th Count of Montalto,
married firstly to Nicolina dei Baroni Azopardi-Zammit,
without issue, and married secondly her sister in 1889
Angiolina dei Baroni Azzopardi Zammit, with issue.
1. Bernardo Manduca Piscopo Macedonia
(1891-1971), 7th Count of Montalto, dunm.
2. Joseph Manduca Piscopo Macedonia
Azopardi Zammit (1893-1964), 7th Baron di Buleben, married
1942 to Lucy Muscat Fenech
2.1. Francis Manduca Piscopo Macedonia
Azopardi Zammit (1926- ??) , 8th Count of Montalto and 8th
Baron di Buleben. Married 1957 to Margaret Gatt
2.1.1. Alfred Joseph Manduca Piscopo
Macedonia (1958- 9th Count of Monalto, married with issue
2.1.2. Joseph Bernard Manduca Piscopo
Macedonia Azopardi (1959-, 9th Baron di Buleben, married 1985
to Angela Marich, with issue
3. Maria Manduca Piscopo Macedonia
(1890-1913/4), married 1910 Francis Sant Cassia, 6th Count
Sant, 11th Baron di Ghariexem e Tabia, with issue
4. Concetta Manduca Piscopo Macedonia
(1896-, married 1915 Francis Sant Cassia, 6th Count Sant, 11th
Baron di Ghariexem e Tabia, with issue
5. Carmelina Manduca Piscopo Macedonia
(1898-1964) , married Joseph A. Borg with issue
5.1. John Francis Borg Manduca (1934-,
married 1961 to Josephine Camilleri
5.2. Angele Borg Manduca (1931- ,
married 1957 to Lawrence Cachia Zammit, with issue
5.3. Myriam Borg Manduca (1939-,
married 1962 to Architect Richard England Sant Fournier, with
issue
A detailed family tree and notes reproduced with the
kind permission of Conte Charles Said Vassallo:
* Felice Manduca Piscopo
Macedonia, (died 1775), 2nd Count of Mont'Alto
Succeeded his great uncle in the title of Conte di Mont’ Alto
and the fief of the that name by virtue of the rescript dated
9 March 1725: see Note 4), married to Bulbina Bonici, with
issue.
1. Anna Manduca, dunm.
2. Maria Manduca, married Pietro Paolo
Testaferrata Abela (See Gomerino), and dsp.
3. Felicita Manduca, married Ignazio
Bonici, and dsp.
* Salvatore Manduca Piscopo
Macedonia, (Died 1800), ‘3rd Conte di Mont'Alto’
1st (?) Conte Manduca (Cr. 1776?), Married 1783 toElena
Portughes, with issue
1. Sir Vincenzo
Manduca-Piscopo-Macedonia K.C.M.G. died 1865, 4th (recte 2nd)
Conte di Mont’ Alto (recte: Conte Manduca, Cr. 1776(?))- See
Below.
2. Paolo Manduca-Piscopo-Macedonia,
married Antonia Gauci Bonici (See Gauci) with issue
* Sir Vincenzo
Manduca-Piscopo-Macedonia K.C.M.G. died 1865, ‘4th Conte di
Mont'Alto’, 2nd
Conte Manduca (Cr. 1776?), married Madalena Galea Feriol dei
Baroni della San Marciano, and dsp.
1. (illegitimate from Anna Ebejer)
Giuseppe Manduca, married 1808 Valletta to Felicity Dingli.,
with issue.
* Rev. Mgr Salvatore
Manduca-Piscopo-Macedonia, ‘5th Conte di Mont'Alto’, 3rd (?)
Conte Manduca (Cr. 1776?), dunm 1885.
[Note: it appears Monsignor Manduca
managed to substantiate his claim sometime between 1878 and
1883 because his name appears as one of the five titolati who
were appointed to form a Committee in 1883 as results from the
document 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).
However, this in itself does not satisfactorily indicate the
enumeration of the holders of this title nor does it shed any
light on the relative remainder. The only clue of a remainder
was the Monsignor’s claim that it extended to his
grandfather’s ‘male issue’]
* Francesco
Manduca-Piscopo-Macedonia, ‘6th Conte di Mont'Alto’, 4th (?)
Conte Manduca (Cr. 1776?), (c 1851-1916),
married firstly 1882 to Nicolina
Azopardi dei Baroni Buleben, and dsp
married secondly 1889 to Angiolina
Azopardi dei Baroni di Buleben, with issue
1. Bernardo Manduca-Piscopo-Macedonia
(c 1891-1972), 7th Count-See Below.
2. Joseph Manduca Azopardi (c
1892-1972) 8th Barone di Buleben, married 1923 to Lucy Muscat
Fenech, with issue
2.1. Francis
Manduca-Piscopo-Macedonia-Azopardi (c 1926- died) 8th
Count-See Below.
2.2. Mary Rose
Manduca-Piscopo-Macedonia-Azopardi (c 1924-, married 1967 to
Anthony dei Conti Sant Cassia., dsp.
3. Maria Manduca-Piscopo-Macedonia (c
1890-1914)., married 1910 to Francis Sant Cassia, 11th Barone
di Ghariexem e Tabia, 6th Count Sant, with issue
4. Concetta Manduca-Piscopo-Macedonia
(c 1896-, married 1915 to Francis Sant Cassia, 11th Barone di
Ghariexem e Tabia, 6th Count Sant, with further issue
5. Carmelina Manduca-Piscopo-Macedonia
(c 1898-1964), married 1930 to Joseph A. Borg, with issue.
5.1. John Francis Borg Manduca,
(1934-, married 1961 to Josephine Camilleri, with issue
5.1.1. Juan Borg Manduca, married to
Roberta Delia, with issue.
5.1.1.1. Nicholas Borg Manduca.
5.1.1.2. Alexia Borg Manduca.
5.1.1.3. Emma Borg Manduca, (2006-.
5.1.2. Stefan Borg Manduca, married to
Johanna Parnis England, with issue.
5.1.2.1. Andrew Borg Manduca.
5.1.2.2. Amanda Borg Manduca.
5.1.2.3. Stephanie Borg Manduca.
5.2. Angele Borg Manduca, (1931-,
married 1957 to Lawrence Cachia Zammit.
5.3. Myriam Borg Manduca, (1939-,
married 1962 to Richard England Sant Fournier, with issue
* Bernardo
Manduca-Piscopo-Macedonia (c 1891-1972), ‘7th Conte di
Mont'Alto’, 5th (?) Conte Manduca (Cr. 1776?), dunm.
* Francis
Manduca-Piscopo-Macedonia-Azopardi (c 1926- 1993) ‘8th Conte
di Mont'Alto’, 6th (?) Conte Manduca (Cr. 1776?), Barone di
Buleben, married 1957 to Margarett Gatt, with issue
1. Alfred
Manduca-Piscopo-Macedonia (1958-, Acknowledged by the COP as
‘the 9th Count of Mont Alto’ married 1990 to Marika Ann
Vassallo (Daughter of Dr Louis Vassallo), with issue.
1.1. Luisa Manduca-Piscopo-Macedonia,
(1991-.
1.2. Michela
Manduca-Piscopo-Macedonia, (1992-.
1.3. Sarah Rose
Manduca-Piscopo-Macedonia, (1994-.
1.4. Nicola Manduca-Piscopo-Macedonia,
(1996-.
2. Joseph Bernard
Manduca-Piscopo-Macedonia-Azopardi (c 1959-, Baron of
Buleben, married 1985 to Angela Marich, with one son and one
daughter (see title of Buleben).
2.1. Nobile Christian Manduca
Azopardi, Baroncino di Buleben, (1987-.
2.2. Nobile Francesca Manduca
Azopardi, (1991-.
Some notes: (1) As seen above the
title of Conte di Mont’ Alto as extended in
1724, and became extinct in 1775. However at the time of the
1878 Commission, Monsignor Salvatore Manduca Piscopo
Macedonia, claimed that same grant was again ‘extended’, this
time by another rescript dated 28 December 1776, in favour of
Salvatore Manduca, his grand-father, and of the grantee’s male
issue. (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.) (Para. 188)) . Unfortunately
for the Monsignor, his representative failed to produce an
authentic documentation and the Commissioners, feeling pressed
to get on with their work, did not think it advisable to delay
further the presentation of their Report.
(2) It should be recalled that at Maltese Law this title
‘granted’ in 1776 would only qualify as a foreign title and, as
such, it can be considered for the purposes of precedence in
Malta only if registration or Magistral recognition
has been achieved in accordance with the rules of 1739 and 1795
as enacted by Grand Masters Despuig and Rohan. In this case,
this title supposedly granted or extended in favour of Salvatore
Manduca was never registered in Malta, nor does it appear to
have received direct recognition for the Grand Masters who ruled
Malta. (See:- 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.). This consideration does not
render the title invalid (assuming the claim is substantiated)
but in accordance with the rule cited above, it does not
enjoy precedence in Malta.
(3) It appears Monsignor Manduca managed to substantiate his
claim sometime between 1878 and 1883 because his name appears as
one of the five titolati who
were appointed to form a Committee in 1883 as results from the
document (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)).
(4) Bernardo moreover asked that should the Duke grant him
the power of disposing of the said fief as requested, then
that the person so nominated be declared as having been
invested with the said fief of Monte Alto and with a title
of Conte, as if the person so nominated had been within the
original vocation of the grant. Bernardo made a third
demand, namely that the Duke allows him to create on that
fief a regular and lineal Primogenitura,
in favour of the legitimate and natural first-born
descendants in
infinitum of
the person so nominated. On the foregoing petition, the Duke
issued the following rescript: Concedimus
investimus, mandamus, declaramus, approbamus, et derogamus
in omnibus et per omnia ut petit. Et non obstantibus [We
grant invest, we order, we declare, we approve, in all
things and in all things, as I have requested, and
derogate. And this not withstanding] (Dat. Comitii, die 19
Mensis 7 bris anni 1724, Franciscus Dux. It
appears that in his solemn testament received in the acts of
Notary Tommaso Vella, on the 9th March 1725, Bernardo
nominated his grand nephew Felice Manduca.
There seems to be a disagreement amongst the Committee whether
this title was granted to all heirs in perpetuity to all
Primogenito as declared in note 1 to 'all
of the grantee’s male issue'and note 4 whereby he declares
'lineal Primogenitura,
in favour of the legitimate and natural first-born
descendants in
infinitum of
the person so nominated' or again as per
same request in note 4 by nomination?.
Personal note : Nontheless the Committee of Privileges at the
time the title was brought out of abeyance probably used a
dice and a few notes scribbled on some scrap paper with a
conclusion based on some 'careless' decision. Once again, this
title shall be at the mercy of the new Committee in future
years, due to the fact that all heirs to the titleholder are
female. Should this title continue by Nomination or by
Primogenito, begs the question ?
(IF THERE ARE ANY UPDATES TO ANY
TREES, PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL TO '[email protected]
' stating site you seen the genealogical tree and updates.)
References:
1) Gauci,C.A.," The Genealogy and Heraldry of the Noble
Families of Malta", Gulf Publishing Ltd, Malta, 1981.
2) Gauci,C.A.," The Genealogy and
Heraldry of the Noble Families of Malta, Volume Two",
Publishers Enterprises Group (PEG) Ltd, 1992.
3) Gauci,C.A and Mallet, P.,"The
Palaeologos Family- A Genealogical Review" ,Publishers
Enterprises Group (PEG) Ltd, 1985
4) Gauci, C.A.," A Guide to the
Maltese Nobility", Publishers Enterprise Group (PEG) Ltd,
Malta, 1986.
5) Montalto, J., "The Nobles of
Malta-1530-1800", Midsea Books Ltd, Malta, 1980.
6) De Piro, N., "Casa Rocco Piccola",
The Conde' Nast Publications 1999.'
Http://www.vol.net.mt/casarocca '
7) Giles Ash, S., "The Nobility of
Malta", Publishers Enterprises Group (PEG) Ltd, 1988.
8) Said Vassallo, C.M., Unpublished
research papers.
9) Said
Vassallo, C.M., Maltagenealogy.com Research site.
10)
Correspondence and Report of the Commission appointed to
enquire into the claims and grievances of the Maltese
Nobility, May 1878 to 1883, presented to both Houses of
Parliament by Command of Her Majesty (C.-2033.)
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