Maltagenealogy.com presents
Looking for More Data Here.
The
Roman Patricanship of Testaferrata
Asciak and Cassar
Desain. The
dignity of Patrician of Rome (Testaferrata Asciack (??) Cassar Desain
(??), origins unknown,
1674)
Footnote: Another “Dignity
of Roman Patrician” appears to have been granted in 1674.
In 1878, this dignity was
claimed by Emmanuel Testaferrata Asciack and Lorenzo Cassar
Desain. However, it appears
that neither claimant produced any proof.
The Royal Commissioners
dismissed both claims because, the same Commissioners decided not only that the
claimants did not provide any proof whatsoever BUT ALSO because the same
Commissioners held that this dignity was a mere municipal honour
and not one emanating from a foreign sovereign, or fons honorum. (“Correspondence
and Report of the Commission appointed to enquire into the claims and grievances
of the Maltese Nobility”, May 1878, presented to both Houses of
Parliament by Command of Her Majesty (C.-2033.) (See Report Para. 240)).
Thus, as far as the
Commissioners were concerned, once they regarded this dignity as a municipal
honour, it did not fall within the remit of the Commission because the
Commissioners were of the opinion that once it is a municipal honour it does
not qualify to be registered in accordance with the rules of 1739 and 1795 as
enacted by Grand Masters Despuig
and Rohan.
The actual report says the
following:
“Two similar diplomas of Roman Patricians are mentioned in
the Committee list, dated respectively the 6th July 1674 and the 4th July 1744,
the former grant being claimed by Emmanuel Testaferrata
Asciack and by Lorenzo Cassar Desain”.
No proof or document whatever having been produced concerning these grants,
such claims cannot be consequently allowed.
However, upon a more detailed
analysis about the nature of this dignity, it appears that contrary to what was
held by the Commissioners, that the 1674 dignity (if proven) is in fact a
conferral of nobility because the city of Rome acted as a fons honorum (fountain of honour). See also http://cilialacorte.com/Patriciates.htm.
Sadly, from a reading of the Report, there is no indication as to who
was the original grantee of the 1674 dignity.
Updated January 2007