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Title: Baron
Title in succession: 9th
Date created: 1716
Grant by: Grandmaster Jean Paul Lascaris de Castellar
Granted To: Dr. Gio Pio De Piro
Rep: De Piro D'Amico Inguanez
Remainder to: his descendants in perpetuity each holder having
the right to nominate a successor; in default of nomination to the
first
born son and in the absence of male issue, to the first born female
issue.
Present Holder:
Nicholas de Piro D’Amico-Inguanez
Extinct Magisterial Titles: Baron of Budach 1644
Other related titles: De Piro
Antonio Felicissimo de Piro,(1806)
1st Baroncino di Budaq and
Marchesino de Piro.
The fief of Budaq (originally Budacco)
had been granted or sold numerous times in its interesting history as a
fief.
The Barba family were granted this fief in 1397, following
the Gatto family in 1398, Aulesa also in 1398, following the Inguanez in
1408, the Cilia family in 1644, the Fiteni’s in 1646, following the
Passalaqua in 1646.
Francesco Cilia had purchased the fief of
Budaq from Baron Antonio Inguanez on 16th May 1590. For some reason
neither father or son ever paid homage to the Grand Master as an
acknowledgement of Fealty and were consequently never styled Baron.
Niccolo was in danger of having his fief confiscated by the order. However
he successfully petitioned the Grand Master to be formally recognised as
the Baron di Budaq. Cilia died in 1646, leaving no successor, where upon
the fief devolved to the Order to be regranted a few months
later.
The first Protomedico to be ennobled was Niccolo Cilia, who
in 1633 had been appointed to this office. He probably also awarded the 'Croce
d'Oro' on his appointment. Cilia, however had been aware that he
possessed the fief of Budach. His father , Francesco, had bought the lands
from Baron Antonio Inguanez for the sum of 2280 onze. The sale had been
made on the 16 May 1590, and was registered in the acts of Notary Enrico
Zarb. When the Protomedico realised that he held feudal territory he
wanted to be invested in order to acquire the title and hold a legitimate
claim for his fief. Grand Master Lascaris acceded to Cilia's request and
concluded a transaction with his protomedico, but only over a part of the
fief. On the 18 February 1644, the council of the Order had given the
Grand Master permission of the said transaction. After eight days, Cilia
was created Baron di Budaq, only two years before his death in 1646. There
is no evidence that Cilia had been ennobled because of service to the
Order, but his appointment as Protomedico probably had considerable
influence in his investiture as Baron, since Lascaris could have claimed
this fief in virtue of Cilia's omission to pay homage.
This
time the fief, went to Cesare Passalacqua , to his daughter and her
husband Silvestro Fiteni.
Silvestro Fiteni was Capitano della Verga
1644-52, and created a Knight of the Order of St John in
1656.
Fiteni left no legitimate heir and so the title became
extinct with his death.
The Barony was regranted to Gio Pio de Piro
and his wife Anna Gourgion by the Grand Master Perollos on 23rd of April
1716, with the required tribute of two muskets on St. Barbara.
The
Barony de Budaq was given to the de Piro's and his legitimate heirs, males
and females, procreatis vel procreandis.
The Baron de Piro
could not attend his first Investiture since he was in Sicily and his
father paid homage instead. Only three years after de Piro was ennobled
he neglected to present his two muskets-to grave concern of his
father. Not only Gio Pio's successors was ever invested, but their
rights to the Barony was never queried. It may be argued that when a
nobleman did not pay homage and present tribute he was in breach of the
original oath, which was similar to that taken, in 1644, by the feudatory
of Budach, who declared:
" I Niccolo Cilia swear and
promise fidelity, reverence and observance to your Highness and to Your
Holy Religion, recognising you as the true and rightful Lords of the fief
of Budach which you and your Holy Convent have honoured me with and to
present every year at Easter of the Resurrection a bunch of Roses as
rightful recognition in the said fief "
(Reference: John
Monalto., "The Nobles of Malta 1530-1800" Midsea Books Ltd, Malta
1979.,pp35)
The de Piro family hold this fief to this
day.
Note of Interest -
The remainder of the
Barony to the de Piro family, stated “ His descendants in perpetuity ,
each holder of the title having the right to nominate a successor, in
default of nomination to the first born male descendant and in absence of
male issue, to the first born female descendant. Members of the clergy are
precluded from succession by primogeniture”.
Wealth therefore
becomes an influencing factor in the choice of a prospective 'Secreto'.
The fourteen thousand scudi which Baron Gio Pio de Piro paid out during
1720-21 in his official capacity as Zondadari's administration was less
than the private income for the same period of the de Piro-Gourgion
family.
The only two sons of Marquis Vincenzo de Piro to marry,
disregarded the wish of their parents and married partners of their own
choosing. The eldest Antonio, married Teresa de Re, a person of his own
'nationality but not of equal rank', from whom-it was rumoured, had an
illegitmate child. This enraged his father who not only disinherited him,
but also his innocent descendants. Five years later, in 1795 Antonio left
with his family to live in Rome. The second son, Giuseppe, was nominated ,
within the space of three years, the future heir to the lucrative Gourgion
and the de Piro entails. Rather surprisingly he was not disinherited in
spite of the fact that he married Generosa Borg, below his
rank.
The title passed from father to son, until the 4th holder,
where it was succeeded by his sister, who died in 1877, and nominated her
cousin Mgr. Don Salvatore Grech-Delicata to succeed her. But the Court of
Appeal overruled this decision in favour of Guiseppe de Piro-Gourgion, the
holder of the Primogeniture .
Though , the senior branch of the de
Piro’s were excluded from succession due to Vincenzo de Piro being born
outside of wedlock to the 3rd Baron and his wife Teresa della
Re.
On 5th December 1807, in a lengthy judgment, the Courts of
Malta upheld the primogenital and fede-commessary right due to Vincenzo
and his descendants as members of the de Piro family.
Just
recently, a descendant of Vincenzo de Piro, claimed the Spanish Title of
Marquisate di San Vincente en Castilla, ( Marquis Anthony Buttiegieg de
Piro ).
Today, the Junior branch still carried the titles
of Baron di Budaq and Marquis de Piro (Maltese recognised title), with
Nicholas de Piro D’Amico-Inguanez, as the 8th Marquis de Piro, and 9th
Baron di Budaq, (See de Piro for history).
Short
version of the family tree of the Barons de
Budaq
Jerome de Piro D'Amico Inguanez, (1914-96) 8th
Baron di Budaq, 7th Marquis de Piro, married 1938 to Phyllis Cassar
Torreggiani
1. Nicholas de Piro D'Amico Inguanez (1941- , 9th Baron
di Budaq, 8th Marquis de Piro, married 1970 to Frances Wilson
1.1 Cosmo
de Piro D'Amico Inguanez (1971-, Marchesino de Piro, married with
issue
1.2. Clement de Piro D'Amico Inguanez (1972- , Baroncino di
Budaq
1.3. Anton de Piro D'Amico Inguanez (1985-
1.4. Mary Louisa de
Piro D'Amico Inguanez (1974-
2. Rosemary de Piro D'Amico Inguanez
(1943-, married Dr John O'Connell M.R.C.P, with issue
3. Mary Theresa
de Piro D'Amico Inguanez (1946-, married Simon Bailey, with issue
4.
Mary Elisabeth de Piro D'Amico Inguanez (1950-, married Ralph Bianchi,
with issue
5. Mary Margaret de Piro D'Amico Inguanez (1951-, married
Architect Paul Bianchi B.E., A.&C.E. with
issue.
A full account of genealogy is
herewith:
A genealogical account of the Marquis's de
Piro
Vincenzo de Piro, 2nd Baron di Budaq, 2nd Marquis di Castilla
(de Piro), died 1799., married 1757 to Maria Teresa dei Baroni
Testaferrata Abela
1. Antonio de Piro, 3rd Baron di Budaq, 3rd
Marquis di Castilla (1758-1806), married 1790 to Teresa della Re.
1.1.
Vincenzo de Piro (1785-1840), married 1810 to Loreta Mallia
1.1.1.
Guiseppe de Piro, married 1845 to Maria Antonia Mizzi
1.1.1.1. Antonio
de Piro, married firstly to Louisa Borg, with issue, Married secondy to
Florence Cowley, with further issue.
1.1.1.2. Fortunato de Piro,
married 1893 to Ersilea Leone Ganado
1.1.1.2.1. Joseph de Piro, married
1930 to Antonia Caruana Dingli dei Marchesi del Fiddien, and dsp.
1.1.1.2.2. Jane de
Piro, married 1928 to Joseph
Buttigieg
1.1.1.2.2.1. Anthony Buttigieg de Piro, Marquis Buttigieg de
Piro, "Marquis di Castillo" (1932- , married 1959 to Alice
Pace.
1.1.1.2.2.2. Capt Joseph dei Marchese Buttigieg de Piro (1934- ,
married 1969 to Corinne Eminyan
1.1.1.2.2.2.1. David dei Marchese
Buttigieg de Piro (1974-
1.1.1.2.2.2.2. Victoria dei Marchese Buttigieg
de Piro (1971-
1.1.1.2.2.3. Cecil dei Marchese Buttigieg de Piro
(1936-
1.1.1.2.3. Victoria de Piro, married Paul Fenech Gasan, with
issue
1.1.1.3. Loreto de Piro, married Annette Mizzi, with
issue.
1.1.2. Antonia de Piro, married to Gio Batta Mamo Mompalao, with
issue
1.2. Sir Giuseppe Maria de Piro C.M.G., (1794-1870), 4th Baron di
Budaq, married Antonia Moscati Gatto, 3rd Baroness di Benwarrad, and dsp.
1.3. Francesca de Piro (died 1877), 5th Baroness di Budaq
2.
Giuseppe de Piro Gourgion, C.M.G (died 1852), married 1810 to Gaetana Borg
Madiona
2.1. Adriano de Piro Gourgion (1817-66) Styled Marquis de Piro,
dunm.
2.2. Dr Carmelo dei Marchese de Piro-Gourgion, married 1844 to
Gerolama dei Baroni Sceberras d'Amico-Inguanez
2.2.1. Guiseppe de
Piro-Gourgion (c 1845-1916), 6th Barone di Budaq, dunm.
2.2.2.
Alessandro de Piro-Gourgion (c 1849-98), married 1868 to Ursola
Aguis-Caruana
2.2.2.1. Dr Carmelo de Piro, MD. (c 1871-1912), married
1908 to Dolores Dyer-Lister
2.2.2.1.1. Maria Pilar de Piro (c 1911-44),
married Alexander Apap-Bologna dei Marchese di Gnien is Sultan, with
issue
2.2.2.2. Maria Teresa de Piro (c 1869-1920), married 1899 to
Paolo Apap Bologna, 5th Marchese di Gnien is Sultan
2.2.2.3. Rev
Santo de Piro (c 1873-1929) dunm.
2.2.2.4. Igino de Piro d'Amico
Inguanez (c 1874-1942), 7th Baron di Budaq, married Nicolina Apap
Bologna
2.2.2.4.1. Jerome de Piro d'Amcio Inguanez (c 1914-9?), 8th
Baron di Budaq, 7th Marquis de Piro , married 1938 to Philomena
Cassar-Torreggiani
2.2.2.4.1.1. Nicholas de Piro d'Amico Inguanez (c
1941- , 9th Baron di Budaq, 8th Marquia de Piro , married 1970 to Frances
Wilson
2.2.2.4.1.1.1. Cosimo de Piro d'Amico Inguanez (c 1971-,
Marchesino de Piro
2.2.2.4.1.1.2. Clement de Piro d'Amcio Inguanez (c
1972-, Baroncino di Budaq
2.2.2.4.1.1.3. Anton de Piro (c
1985-
2.2.2.4.1.1.4. Mary Louise de Piro (c 1974-
2.2.2.4.1.2.
Madeleine de Piro (c 1943-., married 1974 to Dr John
O'Connell
2.2.2.4.1.2.1. Thomas O'Connell (c
1975-
2.2.2.4.1.2.2. James O'Connell (c 1976-
2.2.2.4.1.2.3.
Victoria O'Conell (c1978-
2.2.2.4.1.3. Mary Therese de Piro (c 1946-,
married 1974 Simon Bailey
2.2.2.4.1.3.1. Sebastian Bailey (c
1977-
2.2.2.4.1.3.2. Paul Bailey (c 1977-
2.2.2.4.1.4. Mary
Elizabeth de Piro (c 1950-, married 1977 to Ralph
Bianchi
2.2.2.4.1.4.1. Mark Bianchi (c 1980-
2.2.2.4.1.4.2. Guilia
Bianchi (c 1978-
2.2.2.4.1.4.3. Philippa Bianchi (c
1982-
2.2.2.4.1.5. Mary Margaret de Piro (c 1951-, married Paul
Bianchi
2.2.2.4.1.5.1. Alexandra Bianchi (c 1982-
2.2.2.4.1.5.2.
Catherine Bianchi (c 1979-
2.2.2.4.2. Marie de Piro (c 1902-.,
married Niclino Trapani Galea Feriol, 9th Baron di San
Marciano
2.2.2.4.3. Cecilia de Piro (c 1904-, married firstly 1924 to
Count Nazzareno Zimmermann Barbaro, 5th Count von Zimmermann, married
secondly to Professor John Pick.
2.2.2.4.4. Monica de Piro (c 1909- ),
married Col.John Toole Nelson.
2.2.2.5. Alberto de Piro (c 1877-99)
dunm
2.2.2.6. Mgr Alberto de Piro (c 1877-1933) dunm.
2.2.2.7. Maria
de Piro (c 1872-1907), married Dr Alfredo Stilon MD
2.2.2.8. Dr Guido
de Piro (c 1879-., married Betta Capone....
2.2.2.9. Gio Pio de Piro (c
1881-..., married Emma Gauci-Tramblett
2.2.2.9.1. Dr Alessandro de Piro
Gourgion LLD (C 1917-
2.3. Francesco Saverio de Piro, C.M.G (1824-94),
4th Marquis di Castillo, married 1856 to Adelaide dei Marchese Cassar
Desain
2.3.1. Guiseppe Lorenzo de Piro, C.M.G, (1858-1911), 5th Marquis
di Castillo, married 1891 to Georgina Galea-Naudi
2.3.1.1. Adelina de
Piro (1892-1962), 6th Marchioness di Castillo, married to Kenneth
MacPherson, dsp.
(IF THERE ARE ANY UPDATES TO ANY TREES,
PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL TO 'bibinomagno@hotmail.com' 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 a member of the 'Triple Alliance Site-
Maltese Nobiliy'.
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