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Benwarrad)
The Barony of Benwarrad is a title of Maltese nobility.
- Titled: Dr Michael Kitson as the 9th Baron.
- Heir: His son, Paul Kitson as the Baroncino di Benwarrad
History
The Barony of Benwarrad was created 18 August 1737 by Grandmaster Ramon Despuig.
The Fief of Benwarrad (originally Benuarrat) was granted to the Attardo, d’Alagona families before 1360, Pellegrino 1361; Vaccaro 1398; Nava 1472; Bordino 1510; d’Armenia 1514; Surdo 1559, and the present holders in 1737, the Gatto family.
Fiefs were often bought, sold, or became extinct and regranted by a Sovereign of Malta and Sicily.
Saverio Gatto was created a Baron di Benwarrad on 18 August 1737 by Grand Master Despuig, with remainder of "his descendants in perpetuity, each having the right to nominate a successor, in default of nomination to the first born male descendant, and in absence of male issue, then to the first born female descendant. Members of the clergy are precluded from succession by primogeniture.
The Barony of Benwarrad has an interesting history, passing thru several families, from Gatto, Moscati, Montalto de Ribera to the present holders of Attard-Montalto.
There were many heiresses who succeeded to this title such Paola Gatto, the 2nd Baroness, who married to Emanuele Moscati-Cassia, Antonia Moscati-Gatto, the 3rd Baroness, who married twice, firstly to Count Sir Paolo Parisio G.C.M.G., and secondly to Sir Guiseppe Maria de Piro G.C.M.G., 5th Baron di Budaq, both marriages failing to produce an heir. Though it is noted that Baroness Antonia deserted her husband whom she married when she was fourteen years old. She remained in Valletta where she settled down with a French officer with whom she had a child. Much later she married Sir Giuseppe Maria de Piro, G.C.M.G, the 4th Baron di Budaq in 1842
The title moved to Antonia's first cousin, Paolo Montalto de Ribera, who was also Baron di San Paolino. Baron Paolo was succeeded by his daughter, Maria Antonia.
Maria Antonia, the 5th Baroness, married Dr. Guiseppe Ivo Attard M.D. in 1831.
The Attard-Montalto held many important posts in Malta, and still currently hold key positions today.
The present holder is Maria Angela Attard-Montalto, the 8th Baroness, who married in 1948 to Lt. Frank Kitson R.N, and have three children.
Once again the title will pass into another family, this time the English family of Kitson. Slowly the Maltese surnames will phase out, becoming reminders of the past.
References
This research was done by Charles Said-Vassallo
(Text originally based on that of a website by Charles Said Vassallo, by permission.)
