The Marquis of Taflia is a title of Maltese nobility.
Current Marquis
- Titled: Joseph Sammut Testaferrata Alessi, as the 7th Marquis.
- Heir: (his only child) Cheryl Sammut Testaferrata Alessi as Marchesina.
History
The title of Marquis of Taflia was first granted to Giovanni Battista Mompalao by the Grand Master de Rohan-Polduc as a life title, becoming extinct on his death in 1787.
In the year 1790, Grand Master de Rohan-Polduc regranted the title to Saverio Alessi with remainder to his legitimate and natural descendants in perpetuity (Jure Longobardum) to all descendants egually.
Saverio Alessi was a jurat of Valletta and Notabile, member of the Maltese Chambers of Commerce, Lieutenant of Militia and secreto to Grand Master von Hompesch, dying in 1816, succeeded by his son Vincenzo who died unmarried in 1842 succeeding by his brother sons.
The title followed further successions to Saverio (a Francescian Friar) and Bernardo Alessi, both died unmarried.
The next holder of the title was a son of the sister of Saverio and Bernardo, Frederick Sedley-Alessi as the 5th Marquis. Frederick served in the British Army, served in the China war and retired in 1880 with the rank of Lieut. Col. And died in 1921, Succeeded by his only child.
Ethel Maud succeeded as the 6th Marchioness and in 1916 married James Williamson-Wearing, J.P, though childless, died in 1953 and the title went into abeyance.
Ethel Maud’s first cousin Sydney Cornwall-Legh-Alessi was the de jure Marquis of Taflia for only several months died in 1953.
As the direct line had became extinct, the next of kin was from the first Marquis’s other son, with further descendants with further de jure Marquis, with Dr. Guiseppe Borg-Falzon-Alessi M.D dying in 1978.
Dr. Guiseppe was succeeded as de jure by his first cousin, Joseph Sammut Testaferrata Alessi. The Committee of Privileges of the Maltese Nobility called out the title from abeyance in 1982, with Joseph becoming the 7th and present Marquis.
His daughter and only child is his heir.
References
This Research was done by Charles Said-Vassallo
(Text originally based on that of a website by Charles Said Vassallo, by permission.)
