Valletta-born, she settled in the then-growing seaside town of Sliema to avoid the overcrowding in the capital city.
She is one of my paternal great-grandmothers.
Susanna Xuereb
France
William of Toulouse
William was the fourth count of Toulouse. Like many other French noblemen, he donated money and land to religious institutions.
He is my 24th great-grandfather.
Charlotte of Bourbon
As Queen of Cyprus, Charlotte introduced a cultural revival on the island, based on her education and French upbringing.
She is one of my maternal 14 x great-grandmothers.
The bishop’s political machinations
In 1136, amidst religious and political tensions in Antioch, Bishop Ralph used his influence and deceptive tactics to marry young Princess Constance to Raymond of Poitiers, securing political alliances and reinforcing Latin church dominance over Byzantine objections.
Enguerrand
Enguerrand, an obscure potential Count, may have come from modern Belgium. He’s my 33 x great-grandfather
Charlemagne
Carlos Magnus, Charlemagne, or the ‘Father of Europe’, was the first western Holy Roman Emperor after the collapse of the Roman Empire.
He is my 33 x great-grandfather.
Gauslin of Maine
At the limits of documented history, Gauslin of Maine is my 32nd x great-grand-father. Information is sparse because few records still exist.
Count Berengar’s wife
There is almost no information about Count Berengar’s wife. She is simply known as someone’s daughter and someone else’s wife.
Otto, Count of Maçon
Otto was the son of the King of Italy, yet lived in France. Kidnapped and saved, he warred with the King of France, inherited other titles and made a nuisance of himself.
Theobald I of Blois
Theobald I, known as the Trickster, was a vassal of 10th Century West Frankish King Lothair. He is one of my maternal 27 x great-grandfathers.