The Barons of San Giovanni are titles of Maltese nobility. This title can be nominated to any descendant.
- Titled: Francis Chapelle as the 7th Baron of San Giovanni.
- (Direct)(only child) Heir: Francesca Chapelle, as Baronessina di San Giovanni.
- (Nominated Heir) (His sister's son) N.N.Kind Lanzon Chapelle, as the Baroncino di San Giovanni.
History
The fief of San Giovanni was first created in 1657 at Messinato Dr. Vincenzo Abela LL.D by King Philip IV of Spain, as King of Sicily with remainder to his heirs of his body, each holder having the right to nominate his or her successor.
The third Barony di San Giovanni was presented in 1657 at Messina to Vincenzo Abela, whose family had, one hundred years earlier, emigrated to Sicily from Malta. Abela's descendants subsequently returned to Malta, but apparently the title was never officially claimed untill 117 years later by Count Serafino Ciantar.
This fief is situated in Sicily, and the title became extinct in 1746 but was revived by Ferdinand I, King of Two Sicilies in favour of Serafino Ciantar, 3rd Count Ciantar-Paleologo, a kinsman of Vincenzo Abela. The re-grant which was made in Palermo in 1677 was registered at the chancellory of the Order and for matters of precedence in Malta, the title is taken as having been created in 1777.
Baron Frans Chappelle Paleologo's brother Roger Chappelle with his son Roger and his daughters Lucy Parnis, Giorgina de Giorgio (mother of Chev. Roger de Giorgio KT) and Lily Pecramenos.
Excerpt from a letter sent on 20 October 2000, from Raphael Camilleri Parlato who put this picture right:
I have seen the site on the Barons of San Giovanni. I am afraid that the same mistake was made as in the Book Costumes in Malta. The picture captioned "Baron Chappelle and his daughters" is wrong completely. That was the Baron's brother, Roger. The baron was married to Arrigo and his daughters were Countess Lola Preziozi, Luiga Vadala Chapelle and Joseph Chappelle, the present Baron's father. That picture is not the Baron, but his brother Roger Chappelle, with his daughters Giorgina de Giorgio, Lucy Parnis, and Lily Pecromenos. They are cousins of my wife.
Upon the death of the 3rd Baron, also 5th Count Ciantar-Paleologo, the Barony was bequeathing to his nephew ex sorore Alessandro Chapelle, brother also to the future 7th Count Ciantar-Paleologo (see Ciantar-Paleologo).
Sir Alexandro Chapelle Kt, LL.D succeeded as the 4th Baron, and the title passed to the present holder from father to son.
The present holder, Francis Chapelle, 7th Baron di San Giovanni, succeeded to the title in 1962, and his heir is his eldest daughter, Francesca Chapelle.
References
This research was done by Charles Said-Vassallo
(Text originally based on that of a website by Charles Said Vassallo, by permission.)
