Counts of Catena

The Counts of Catena are a noble house of Malta. Henry Hornyold Strickland is the 8th Count of Catena. His son Hugo is heir, titled as the Contino di Catena.

The Title of ‘Count of Catena’ may be inherited not only by the first count’s descendants but also by any stranger in blood who may come to own the Catena estates.

Inheritance to this title was also closely linked to the inheritance of the primogeniture Bologna.

Origin and succession

The title was granted to Pietro Gaetano Perdicomati-Bologna, a Syracusean Patrician by Grand Master Pinto de Fonseca in 1745, with remainder to his descendants and successors to the Catena estates in perpetuity. Succession in the Perdicomati-Bologna’s family came to an end after the death of the 4th Countess Maria Angelica Perdicomati-Bologna.

Sir Nicola Sceberras-Bologna, became the 5th Count, though dying without an heir in 1875.

Upon Sir Nicola's death a protracted law suit ensued between Felicissmo Apap-Bologna and Luisa Bonici-Mompalao for and on behalf of her son. The title of Count of Catena was tied to the Bologna estates “primogeniture” and as Felicissmo was the first born male he claimed the estates and title. His claim was upheld twice by the Maltese Courts but this decision was overruled by the privy Council on 6 February 1882 who awarded to Luisa’s son Gerald Strickland GCMG, the 6th Count of Catena.

His successor, Thomas Henry Hornyold-Strickland, 7th Count of Catena, was his grandson. He died in 1983 and was succeeded by his son, the present Holder of the title.

• Pietro Gaetano Perdicomati-Bologna, 1st Count of Catena
• 2nd Count of Catena
• 3rd Count of Catena
• Maria Angelica Perdicomati-Bologna, 4th Countess of Catena
• Sir Nicola Sceberras-Bologna, 5th Count of Catena
• Gerald Strickland, 6th Count of Catena
• Thomas Henry Hornyold-Strickland, 7th Count of Catena
• Henry Hornyold Strickland, 8th Count of Catena
  • Heir-apparent: Hugo Hornyold Strickland, Contino di Catena

References

• Said Vassallo, C.M., Unpublished research papers.
• Said Vassallo, C.M.,Charles Said-Vassallo's Research site and Maltese Nobility web site.
• Montalto, J., "The Nobles of Malta-1530-1800", Midsea Books Ltd, Malta, 1980.
• Burkes Peerage, Baronetage and Knightage of the UK.- 1914 ed.
• Cassar Desain, Marchese L.A., " Genealogia della famiglia Testaferrata di Malta." Malta, 1880.
• Gauci,C.A.," The Genealogy and Heraldry of the Noble Families of Malta", Gulf Publishing Ltd, Malta, 1981.
• Gauci,C.A.," The Genealogy and Heraldry of the Noble Families of Malta, * Volume Two", Publishers Enterprises Group (PEG) Ltd, 1992.
• Gauci,C.A and Mallet, P.,"The Palaeologos Family- A Genealogical Review" ,Publishers Enterprises Group (PEG) Ltd, 1985
• Gauci, C.A.," A Guide to the Maltese Nobility", Publishers Enterprise Group (PEG) Ltd, Malta, 1986.
• Giles Ash, S., "The Nobility of Malta", Publishers Enterprises Group (PEG) Ltd, 1988.