Lords, Barons and Princes of Biscari

The title, Prince of Biscari, was created by the grant of a Letters Patent from King Philip IV of Spain on 21 June 1633, which was bestowed upon the Baron of Biscari, Agatino Paternó Castello. [http://www.mocterranordica.org/DellaSicNobEng.pdf "Of Noble Sicily"] , second part, book one.]

He is known chiefly for having raised the fief of Biscari out of the marshy valleys subject to deadly malaria [http://www.regione.sicilia.it/turismo/web_turismo/sicilia/uk/localita/storia.asp?id=100 History of Acate] ] and for marrying the daughter of the Baron Vincenzo Paternó Castello.

Agatino did not succeed to the title of baron or prince. He married the heiress of Vincenzo Paternó Castello, named Maria la Restia, and accordingly for their culture and times, assumed the rank and style of the first Prince of Biscari.

Their great-grandson, named Vincenzo, would become known for having restored the town, and especially the castle, after severe earthquake damage in 1693. [http://www.ibla.net/acate/introing.asp]

In 1938, the town of Biscari changed its name to Acate. The current prince of Biscari still lives in the "Palazzo Biscari" in Catania in Sicily.A family tree and history are available See [http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patern%C3%B2_(famiglia)] [here] .

Coat of arms and heraldry

The coat of arms of the princes of Biscari depicted their two-towered castle supported by two dragons. [ [http://www.sicilyhotels.com/castles_in_sicily.htm Castles in Sicily ] ]

Lords of Biscari

* Matteo Mazzone - 1408 (creation)
* Bernardo Caprera - 1410
* Antonio del Castello - 1416
* Corrado - 1453
* Gutierrez - 1465
* Guglielmo - 1479
* Giovanello (grandson of) - 1528
* Vincenzo - 1555
* Ferdinando - 1566
* Orazio Paternó Castello (son of Giovanello and Francesca del Castello) - 1578

Barons of Biscari

* Francesco Paternó Castello - 1604
* Vincenzo Paternó Castello (brother of) - 1609

Princes of Biscari

"Years are indicating the time of investiture."

* Agatino Paternó Castello - 1633 - (married Maria la Restia)
* Vincenzo Paternó Castello e la Restia - (married Felice Gravina Cruyllas)
* Ignazio Paternó Castello e Gravina - 1676 - (married Lionora Paternó e Tornambene)
* Vincenzo II Paternó Castello e Paternó - 1700 - (married Anna Scamacca e Bonajuto)
* Ignazio II Paternó Castello e Scamacca - 1750 - (married Anna Maria Morso e Bonanni)

The descendents of this dynasty hold many other titles, most prominently among them Duke of Carcaci.

Footnotes