Notes

1. ATL p.44; CAG p.8; GAV p.90  Back to Text

2. Concubines often came from within the circles in which royalty moved, the nobility, and were not only acknowledged as such by the king but also subsequently provided for financially. See Grant of pension approved by the Secrezia on 9.4.1413 (RC 49 p.43v) and 12.1.1417 (RC 52 p.59) to Madonna Tarsia, mistress of Martin the Younger. M. Tarsia was mother of Federico, Martin’s son.    Back to Text

3. The two most important posts granted to prominent Maltese during the Aragonese period was that of Hakem and Castellan. The Castellan controlled the fortress (St Angelo) at the tip of Birgu in the Grand Harbour. The Hakem or Capitano della Verga (Captain of the Rod) had a threefold function. He was Governor of Mdina, then the capital city, he was head of the militia and High Judge with jurisdiction over all courts on the island of Malta apart from Birgu which was the Castellan’s province.      Back to Text

4. RC 1365: Royal grant by Federico III dated 7.4.1365 to Giacomo de Pellegrino in which he is referred to as the husband of Margarita d’Aragona.     Back to Text

5. CAN - Misc. 209. ff 29-38 She made her will on 5.6.1418 which was opened on 14.6.1418 indicating that she died between those two dates.      Back to Text

6. GFA Libro IV p.421           Back to Text

7. RC 6 p. 210 (olim 191) See Appendix II for full text.    Back to Text

8. GFA p.449 GAV p. 96              Back to Text

9. Will in the acts of Not. Antonio Azzopardo dated 5.6.1418. Cathedral Archives, Notabile, Malta - Misc. 209 pp. 29-38. See Appendix II for original text.              Back to Text

10. A number of fiefs owned by Margarita d’Aragona were the source of existing titles of the Maltese nobility, i.e. Count of Bahrija, Baron of Djar il-Bniet, Marquis of Fiddien, Baron of Gheriexem, Baron of Qlejjgha              Back to Text

11. CAG p. 212            Back to Text

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