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Title: Count
Title in succession: 8th
Date created: 1745
Grant by: Grand Master Pinto
de Fonseca
Granted To: Pietro Gaetano Perdicomati-Bologna
Rep: Hornold-Strickland
Remainder to: his descendants and successors to the Catena Estates in
perpetuity
Present Holder: Henry Charles Hornyold-Strickland (UK)
Note: Count of Catena was annexed to the grantee's estates, where this
title may not only be inherited by the
Counts first son, but also by a stranger who may come to own the Catena
Estates.
Pietro Gaetano Perdicomati Bologna 1st Count della Catena
aged 22
The title of ‘Count of Catena’ was annexed to the
grantee’s estate which was raised to the dignity of a feudal
tenure. This title may be inherited not only by the first count’s
descendants but also by any stranger in blood who may come to own
the Catena estates.
Inheritance to this title was also closely
linked to the inheritance of the primogeniture
Bologna.
The title was granted to Pietro Gaetano Perdicomati-Bologna, a Syracusean Patrician by Grand Master Pinto
de Fonseca on the year of 1745, with remainder to his descendants
and successors to the Catena estates in perpetuity
During
Pinto's Grand Mastership, Niccolo Bologno, Count of Catena,
was appointed ambassador to Licata and Procurator of Wheat in
1758. In June that year, the Count and his family left for Sicily
and then returned to Malta two years later when his term of
office ended.
Nicola Bologna who in 1745 made a marriage contract
with Maria Theresia Grech, daughter of Fabritio Grech, a noted
lawyer and legal advisor to the Grand Master Pinto. Some of
Nicola's family considered a marriage to a
daughter of a lawyer
to be a mesalliance, and complained that the Grech family were no
more than upstarts who did not even have a descent residence. The
snubbed lawyer ordered the building of a magnificent residence
at
Attard, today know as Villa Bologna. Upon its completion it
was given to his daughter as a wedding present.
[* Note] Succession
in the Perdicomati-Bologna’s family, came to an end , after
the 4th Countess death.
Maria Angelica Perdicomati-Bologna, the 4th Countess , was married to
Paolo Sceberras dei Baroni Castel Cicciano, and was succeeded by
their eldest surviving son, Sir Nicola Sceberras-Bologna K.C.M.G., Becoming the 5th Count, though
who died without an heir in
1875.
Upon the 5th Counts death in 1875 a protracted law
suit ensued between Felicissmo Apap-Bologna and Luisa
Bonici-Mompalao for and behalf of her son.
The title of Count of
Catena was tied to the Bologna estates “Primogeniture” and
estates and as Felicissmo was the first born male he claimed
the primogeniture estates and title. His claim was upheld twice
by the Maltese Courts but this decision was overruled by the
privy Council on 6-2-1882 who awarded everything to Luisa’s son
Gerald.
The following text was added by Richard
d'Apice AM, President, Heraldry Australia Inc. email: eastover@ozemail.com.au,
website: http://www.heraldryaustralia.org
The
law suit was relatively swift (seven years from death until final decision of
the Privy Council) compared with the twelve years of litigation in the Roman
Rota which followed the death of the 5th Count Nicola in 1770 leaving
five daughters (but no grandsons living at his death) and a nephew by his
sister. This battle of nine hearings which was only brought to an end by order
of the Grand Master. The succession was resolved by the birth of Nicolo to the
youngest daughter Angela and he became 6th Count at birth.
The
Privy Council’s judgement is to be found in House of Lords and Privy Council
Reports Vol. VII at 156-171. The case is entitled The Marchese Felicissimo Apap
(Appellant/Defendant) and The Noble Luisa Strickland and Geraldo Strickland
(Plaintiffs/Respondents.)
The
“Appeal is from as much of a judgement of the Second Hall of the Court of
Appeal at Malta (Feb. 14, 1879) as reversed a judgement in favour of the
Appellant (Marchese Felicissimo Apap) by the Court of First Hall (Jan. 2, 1878).
The
judgement of the Privy Council was given on 21 January 1882 in terms “their
Lordships will humbly advise Her Majesty that the judgement appealed against be
affirmed, and the appeal be dismissed, with costs.”
The
judgement makes no specific reference to the title or to the land referring only
to “certain land in Malta.” The judgement is concerned exclusively with the
construction of a Deed settling the descent of that “certain land.”
By
a Deed dated 23 October 1673 Canon D. Alessandro Bolonga gave all his property
to his nephew Pietro Perdicomati Bolonga reserving a right to establish in
relation to the “bona stabilia” a “primogeniture” which he did by a
further Deed dated 11 May 1686. It is said that the title of Count della Catena
was granted by Grand Master Pinto de Fonsca in 1745 to Pietro Gaetano
Perdicomati-Bolonga with remainder to his descendants and successors to the
Catanea Estates in perpetuity (although I have not send the text of the document
which made this concession.)
As
far as I can see from the Privy Council judgement there was a judgement of the
Court of the First Hall in Malta in favour of Marchese Felicissmo Apap which was
overturned by the Second Hall of the Court of Appeal in Malta in favour of
Gerald Strickland and that second Maltese judgement was upheld by the Privy
Council.
Suggested
that the section quoted above be amended to delete the first sentence and alter
the rest to read:
Nicola, the 2nd Count, left five daughters (but no grandsons living
at his death) and left a nephew by his sister. Twelve years of litigation with
nine hearings in the Roman Rota was only brought to an end by order of the Grand
Master.
Maria
Angelica Perdicomati-Bologna, the youngest daughter of the 2nd Count
and herself the 4th Countess in succession to her elder sister Maria Giovanna,
married Paolo Sceberras dei Baroni Castel Cicciano, and was succeeded and
displaced by their eldest son, (later Sir) Nicola Sceberras-Bologna, who
became the 5th Count on his birth. He died without issue in 1875.
Upon
the 5th Counts death a law suit ensued between Marchese Felicissmo Apap, a
nephew of Sir Nicolo by his 8th and youngest sister Maria, and Gerald
Strickland a grand-nephew then aged 14 who was represented by his mother Luisa
Strickland (a niece of Sir Nicolo by his 4th sister Maria Teresa.)
Marchese
Felicissmo’s claim was upheld by the Maltese Court of first
instance but this decision was overruled by the Maltese Court of Appeal whose
decision was upheld by the Privy Council on 21 January 1882.
The
Privy Council held that, in the absence of issue of Sir Nicolo, the “Bolonga
Primogenitura” of 1686 and the title attached to it in 1745 had passed to the
grandson of an elder sister rather than to a son of a younger sister.”
Thank you, Richard D'Apice AM. webmaster
Sir Gerald Strickland G.C.M.G, the 6th Count of
Catena, who succeeded by decision of H.M Privy Council on the 6th
of February 1882, was a Barrister at Law at Inner Temple, a Major
in the Royal Malta Militia, Chief secretary to the Governor of
Malta 1889-1902, Governor of Leeward Islands 1902-04, of Tasmania 1904-09, of Western Australia 1909-1913,
and of New South
Wales 1913-17, Norfolk Island 1913.
Leader of the
Opposition of Government in Malta 1921-27, Head of Ministry for
Police and Justice 1927-32, member of the Senate and leader of
the opposition in Malta 1933.
Founder of the
Allied Malta Newspapers Ltd, Establised cotton and
sugar factories in the Leeward Islands, Created C.M.G 1889,
K.C.M.G 1897, G.C.M.G 1913 and raised to the peerage of the
United Kingdom as Baron Strickland of
Sizergh
1928.
Lord Gerald Strickland Gerald Strickland, Conte della
Catania, the son of Walter Strickland and Louisa Bonnici Mompalao, was
born in Valletta in 1861 and pursued his studies in Malta, England and
Italy. In 1887 was elected to the Council of Government, and in the
following year he was appointed Chief Secretary, a post which he held
till 1902 when he was nominated Governor of the Leeward Island (1902 -
1904). He was also Governor of Tasmania, Western Australia
and New
South Wales.
In 1917 Count Strickland returned to Malta and after the
grant of Self Government, formed the Anglo-Maltese Party, which soon
afterward amalgamated with the Maltese Constitutional and became the
Constitutional Party under his leadership. As such , Strickland was the
leader of the Opposition between 1921 - 1927.
After the 1927
elections, Strickland, whose party together with the Labour Party had a
majority in the Legislative Assembly, became Head of Ministry.
The most
important events of his administration were without any doubt his clash
with the Senate, which led to the issue of Letters Patent which
curtailed its powers, and his concurrent clash with the Ecclesiastical
Authorities which
led to the suspension of the Constitution in
1930.
Between July 1932 and November 1933, Lord Strickland was again
the leader of the Opposition, and was again the leader of the
Opposition, and after the grant of a new Constitution in1939, he became
the leader of the
elected majority in the Council of
Government.
Lord Strickland died at his residence at Casa Attard on 22
August 1940 and was buried in the family chapel at the Cathedral Church
at Mdina.
Married firstly to Lady Edeline Sackville-West, the
daughter of the 7th Earl de la Warr, and had surviving issues ,
with no sons.
Married secondly to Margaret Hulton, with no issue
from this marriage.
Lord Strickland, becoming the only Maltese
to be created a Title in the United Kingdom, though the title
becoming Extinct on his death in 1940.
Lord Strickland was a man of
great Honour and much loved by all, who
he served.
His successor was his grandson, from
Lord Gerald’s eldest daughter, Hon Mary Constance Strickland and
Henry dei Marchese Hornyold-Gandolfi.
Thomas Henry Hornyold-Strickland , succeeded as the 7th Count of Catena, dying
in 1983, succeeded by his son, the present Holder of the
title.
Henry Charles Hornyold-Strickland , the 8th Count lives in
England, and is a Consultant Manager , and has two
sons.
FOR
MORE INFO SEE ROYAL COMMISSION AND TITLE OF DELLA MORI, OR DELLA CATENA here
A short Family tree of the Counts of
Catena.
1. Sir Nicola Sceberras Bologna KCMG (died 1875),
5th Count of Catena,
married 1830 to Maria Antonia Montalto de
Riberia, and dsp.
2. Maria Teresa Sceberras Bologna , married 1830 to Chev. P.P. Bonici
Mompalao
2.1. Luisa Bonici Mompalao (c
1833-1907), married 1858 to Cmdr Walter
Strickland
2.1.1. Sir
Gerald Strickland GCMG (c 1861-1940) 6th Count of Catena,
Baron
Strickland of Sizergh, married firstly 1890 to Lady Edeline
Sackville West,
married secondly 1926 to Margaret Hulton
DBE
2.1.1.1. (first marriage) Hon Mary Constance Strickland (c
1896-1970),
married 1920 to Henry dei Marchese Hornyold
Gandoldi
2.1.1.1.1. Henry Hornyold Strickland (c 1921-83), 7th Count of
Catena,
married 1951 to Angela Englehart
2.1.1.1.1.1. Henry
Hornyold Strickland (c 1951-, 8th Count of Catena,
married 1979
to Claudine Poumirau
2.1.1.1.1.1.1. Hugo Hornyold Strickland, Contino
della Catena (c 1979-
2.1.1.1.1.1.2. Thomas Hornyold Strickland (c
1985-
2.1.1.1.1.2. Robert Hornyold Strickland (c 1954-, married 1983 to
Teresa
Fawcett
2.1.1.1.1.2.1. Francis Hornyold Strickland (c
1986-
2.1.1.1.1.2.2. Rollo Michael Hornyold Strickland (c
1988-
2.1.1.1.1.2.3. Zoe Clementina Hornyold Strickland (c
1991-
2.1.1.1.1.3. John Hornyold Strickland (c 1956-
2.1.1.1.1.4.
Edward Hornyold Strickland (c 1960-
2.1.1.1.1.5. Clare Hornyold
Strickland (c 1953-, married 1981 to
Anthony
Prince
2.1.1.1.1.6. Alice Hornyold Strickland (c
1959-, married 1988 to Charles
Loftie
2.1.1.1.1.6.1. William
Loftie (c 1991-
2.1.1.1.1.6.2. Eleanor Loftie (c 1992-
2.1.1.1.2.
Edeline Hornyold Strickland (c 1922-81), married Norman
Coppock
2.1.1.1.2.1 Michael Coppock (c 1949-, married 1975 to Susan
Davies
2.1.1.1.2.1.1.. David Coppock (c 1978-
2.1.1.1.2.1.2. Andrew
Coppock (c 1983-
2.1.1.1.2.1.3. Sarah Coppock (c 1976-
2.1.1.2. Hon
Cecilia Strickland (c 1897-1982), married 1927 to Capt Edmund
de
Trafford
2.1.1.2.1. Gerald de Trafford (c 1929-, married 1971 to
Charlotte Hallo
2.1.1.2.1.1. Jasper Peter de Trafford (c
1975-
2.1.1.2.1.2. Aloisea Cecilia de Trafford (c 1973-
2.1.1.2.2.
Anthony de Trafford (c 1935-, married 1966 to Gabrielle
Boome
2.1.1.2.3. Hubert de Trafford (c 1937-93), married Firstly 1966
to Christine
Sydney Adams, secondly 1975 to Mary
Willis
2.1.1.2.3.1. (first marriage) Rachel de Trafford (c 1967-,
married 1991 to
Bengt Sjobert
2.1.1.2.3.1.1. Rebecca Sjobert
(c 1993-
2.1.1.2.3.2. Martha de Trafford (c 1969-
2.1.1.2.3.3.
(second marriage) John de Trafford (c 1976-
2.1.1.2.3.4. George de
Trafford (c 1980-
2.1.1.2.3.5. Fleur Cecilia de Trafford (c
1978-
2.1.1.2.4. Margaret de Trafford (c 1928-, married 1952 to Cdr
William
Faulkner
2.1.1.2.4.1. Hugh Faulkner (c 1953-, married
1992 to Hon Sarah Wedderburn
2.1.1.2.4.1.1. Lucy Faulkner
(c1993-
2.1.1.2.4.2. Mark Faulkner (c 1955-, married 1979 to Hon
Deborah MacAndrew
2.1.1.2.4.2.1. James Faulkner
(c1983-
2.1.1.2.4.2.2. Alexander Faulkner (c1987-
2.1.1.2.4.2.3.
Patrick Faulkner (c 1992-
2.1.1.2.4.3. Rosalind Faulkner (c 1959-,
married 1986 Francis Willis
2.1.1.2.4.3.1. Francis Willis (c
1989-
2.1.1.2.4.3.2. Robert Willis (c 1991-
2.1.1.2.4.3.3. Matthew
Willis (c 1993-
2.1.1.2.4.4. Catherine Faulkner (c 1961-, married 1984
to Andrew Scott
2.1.1.2.4.4.1. Rory David Scott (c
1993-
2.1.1.2.4.4.2. Alice Scott (c 1989-
2.1.1.3. Hon Mabel
Strickland OBE (c 1899-1988), dunm.
2.1.1.4. Hon Dr Constance
Strickland LMSSA (c 1912-79), dunm.
2.1.1.5. Hon Henrietta Strickland
(c 1903-, married 1922 to Cmdr Robert
Bower RN
2.1.1.5.1.
Marianna Laetita Bower , married 1950 to Gilbert Monkton CB, OBE,
MC, 2nd Viscount Monckton of Brenchley
2.1.1.5.1.1. Hon
Christopher Monckton MA, (c 1952-, married 1990 to Juliet
Mary
Jenson
2.1.1.5.1.2. Hon Timothy Monckton (c 1955-, married 1984 to
Jennifer Carmody
2.1.1.5.1.2.1. Dominic Monckton (c
1985-
2.1.1.5.1.2.2. James Monckton (c 1988-
2.1.1.5.1.2.3. William
Monckton (c 1992-
2.1.1.5.1.3. Hon Jonathan Monckton (c 1955-, married
Carinda Therese Beeson
2.1.1.5.1.4. Hon Anthony Monkton (c 1960-,
married 1985 Philippa Wingsfield
2.1.1.5.1.4.1. Edward Monckton (c
1988-
2.1.1.5.1.4.2. Camilla Monckton (c 1989-
2.1.1.5.1.5. Hon
Rosalind Monckton (c 1953-, married Hon Dominic Lawson
2.1.1.5.1.5.1.
Savannah Lawson (c 1992-
2.1.1.5.1.5.2. Domenica Lawson (c 1995-
(God-daughter of the Late HRH,
Princess Diane, Princess of
Wales)
2.1.1.5.2. Paul Bower
2.1.1.5.3. Veronica Bower
2.1.2.
Rev. Joseph Strickland (c 1864-92)
2.1.3. Charles Strickland Bologna (c
1867-, married Caroline Naudis
2.1.3.1. Roger Strickland Bologna MP,
married and Melita Amato, and dsp.
2.1.3.2. Gerald Strickland Bologna,
married
2.1.3.2.1. Capt. Adrian Strickland Bologna, married Jacqueline
Micallef
2.1.3.1.1.1. Lara Strickland Bologna, married Julien Bugeja
Viani dei
Baroni di Tabria
2.1.3.1.1.2. Gerald Strickland
Bologna
2.1.3.1.1.3. Daughter.
2.1.3.1.2. Roger Strickland Bologna,
married NN Micelo Demajo
2.1.3.1.2.1. Roger Strickland Bologna,
(1977-
2.1.3.1.2.2. Daughter
2.1.3.1.3. Gerald Strickland,
married
2.1.3.1.3.1. Daughter
2.1.3.2. Kitty Strickland Bologna,
married George Jackson, with issue
2.1.3.3. Mary Strickland Bologna,
married NN di Rienzo, with issue
2.1.4. Paul Strickland ( 1862-
3.
Maria Sceberras Bologna , married 1829 to Dr Filippo Apap LLD,
3rd
Marchese di Gnien is Sultan (see descendants in Table
4)
4. Aloisea Sceberras Bologna , married 1826 to Gilbert Testaferrata
Viani,
5th Baron di Tabria (see descendants in Table
5)
(IF THERE ARE ANY UPDATES TO ANY TREES, PLEASE SEND
AN EMAIL TO
'bibinomagno@hotmail.com
or doverville@orbit.net.mt '
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., http://www.maltagenealogy.com/
Research site.
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