Marchese’s Mattei, 1899.
The 1899 title of Marchese Mattei was obviously granted after the conclusion of the 1878 Commission. Therefore there can be no reference to that title in the 1878 report. It should be remembered that the purpose of that report (as the report reads) was to identify those titles which were granted or recognized by the sovereign authorities of Malta during the Government of the Knights of Saint John. Some may argue that this title is not one of those titles ?recognised by the British Monarch?. That argument is flawed because the purpose of the 1878 Commission was not to ‘recognize’ but to ‘identify’ those titles which had already been granted or recognized during the Government of the Order (1530-1798). This is better explained by the terms of reference to the Commissioners that ?the Secretary of State for the colonies decided that the heads of the families who, before the annexation of Malta to the British Dominions, obtained tiles of nobility, should in accordance with a precedent during the administration of the late Governor, Sir Henry K. Storks, have precedence of the Chamber of Commerce, and in order to ascertain (etc)?. In this case, the title of Marchese Mattei is simply not one of those titles that were obtained during the Government of the Order. See: 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 letter of Chief Secretary to Government to Commissioners dated March 8, 1877 (page 52).
Last update: 30-12-2021.
Granted to: Conte Senator Dr Alfredo Mattei, LLD.
By: Pope Leo XIII.
On: 1899 at Rome, Papal States
With Remainder to: Ad personam, 1906, Pope Pius X extended it Singularly to all his descendants in the male primogenial line born in lawful wedlock and not seperated from the catholic religion.
List of Title holders:
1. Conte Senator Dr Alfredo Mattei, LLD, (d. 1930), 1st Marchese, succeeded by his son.
2. Conte Anthony Mattei, 2nd Marchese, succeeded by his nephew.
3. Conte Lt Col John Bagshawe Mattei RA, (d. 2014), 3rd Marchese, succeeded by his son.
4. Conte Joseph Mattei, (1977-, 4th Marchese.
Heir: Nil.
Articles relating to this title: