Bailli of the Principality of Achaea

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The bailli, bailie, or bailiff was the administrative representative of the Princes of Achaea, ruling the Principality of Achaea in the Prince's absence. The early princes, who belonged to the founding Villehardouin dynasty, resided in the principality, and governed it directly. In 1278, Achaea passed to Charles of Anjou, the King of Naples. Charles, and many of his successors, ruled the principality through their baillis, and never visited it in person. Originally, the baillis were Angevin officials, but the post was often given to powerful feudatories from Achaea and the rest of Frankish Greece.

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The administration of other Angevin possessions in Greece, such as Lepanto and the County palatine of Cephalonia and Zakynthos, was also united in the hands of the bailli of Achaea. [1]

List of baillis

BailliOffice/RankTenurePrinceCommentsRef
Geoffrey of Villehardouin Baron of Kalamata and Arcadia 1208 – 1209 William of Champlitte One of the original conquerors of the Morea, he was appointed by Prince William when the latter left to claim his inheritance in Burgundy, until his nephew Hugh arrived to become Prince. When William died en route, followed soon after by Hugh, Geoffrey, supported by the other barons, took power. He was confirmed as Prince of Achaea at the Parliament of Ravennika in May 1209. [2] [3]
Direct rule by Prince Geoffrey I of Villehardouin, 1209–1229
Direct rule by Prince Geoffrey II of Villehardouin, 1229–1246
Direct rule by Prince William of Villehardouin, 1246–1278
John Chauderon Baron of Estamira and Grand Constable of Achaeaearly 1278 Charles I of Anjou Appointed provisional bailli by the dying Prince William, until Charles I could make his own arrangements. [4]
Galeran of Ivry Seneschal of SicilyAugust 1278 – August 1280Had troubled relations with the local barons due to his centralizing policies and the unruly behaviour of the Angevin troops. [5] [6]
Philip of Lagonesse Marshal of SicilyAugust 1280 – October 1282Reverted many of his predecessor's policies to conciliate the barons, was recalled upon the outbreak of the War of the Sicilian Vespers. [7] [8]
Narjot de Toucy Admiral of SicilyOctober–November 1282Nominated to succeed Lagonesse, but his duties as admiral prevented him from effectively taking up the office. [9]
Guy of Dramelay Baron of Chalandritsa November 1282 – 1285First local baron to be assigned as bailli to keep order while the Angevins were focused on the War of the Sicilian Vespers. [10] [9]
William I de la Roche Duke of Athens 1285–1287 Charles II of Anjou Most powerful of the Latin lords in Greece, held office until his death. [10] [9]
Nicholas II of Saint Omer Lord of half of Thebes 1287 – July 1289At the time the second-most powerful lord after the underage Duke of Athens, Guy II de la Roche. [10] [9]
Guy of Charpigny Baron of Vostitsa July – September 1289 [10] [9]
Direct rule of Princess Isabella of Villehardouin and Florent of Hainaut, September 1289 – January 1297 [11]
Richard Orsini Count Palatine of Cephalonia and Zakynthos January 1297 – spring 1300 Isabella
(with Philip of Savoy from 1301)
An elderly and experienced man, he was father-in-law to three of the most important barons of Achaea. He was named bailli after the death of Prince Florent and the withdrawal of Isabella to Kalamata. [12]
Nicholas III of Saint Omer Lord of Thebes, Akova, and Marshal of Achaeaspring 1300 – 1302
Direct rule of Prince Philip of Savoy, 1302–1305
Nicholas III of Saint Omer Lord of Thebes, Akova, and Marshal of Achaea1305–1307 Isabella with Philip of Savoy
Guy II de la Roche Duke of Athens 1307–1308 Philip II of Taranto
Bertin Visconte
Gilles de la Plainche 1311
Nicholas III of Saint Omer Lord of Thebes, Akova, and Marshal of Achaea1311–1314?
Matilda of Hainaut
(with Louis of Burgundy until 1316)
Nicholas le Maure Lord of Saint-Sauveur1314–1315/6
Eustachio Pagano de Nocera
Frederick Trogisio 1318–1321
Louis ΙΙ of Bourbon
Ligorio Guindazzo 1321–1322 John of Gravina
Perronet de Villamastray 1322–1323
Nicolas de Joinville 1323–1325
Pierre de Sus 1326–1327
Francesco de la Monaca 1327–1329
William Frangipani Latin Archbishop of Patras 1329–1331 [13] [14]
Gerardo d'Anguilara 1331–1332
Gaudino Romano de Scalea April–August 1333 Catherine of Valois
(as regent for Robert of Taranto)
[1]
Pietro de San Severo August 1333 – July 1336 [1]
Bertrand of Les Baux Lord of Courthezon. He also received the title of Marshal of Achaea.July 1336 – summer 1338 [15]
Direct rule of Princess Catherine of Valois, 1338–1341 [16]
Bertrand of Les Baux February/July 1341 – before July 1344 Robert of Taranto
(with Catherine of Valois until 1346)
[17]
Adam "Visconte de Tremblay"1346?Attested only in the Aragonese version of the Chronicle of the Morea . Likely identical with Adam Visconte, an associate of Niccolò Acciaioli. First tenure. [18]
Menillo Acrimeno of NaplesAttested only in the Aragonese version of the Chronicle of the Morea. [18]
Nicolas Bocuto of NaplesAttested only in the Aragonese version of the Chronicle of the Morea as serving before John Delbuy. [18]
John Delbuy Knightc.July 1348A French knight, he was chosen by Robert's wife, Marie de Bourbon, during Prince Robert's captivity at the hands of Louis I of Hungary. Died shortly after arriving in Achaea. [19]
Philip of Jonvelle Baron of Vostitsa Elected by the barons of Achaea to replace Delbuy after his death. [19]
Bertrand Archbishop of Salerno Chosen by Marie de Bourbon. [19]
Galeoto del GotoKnightc.1352An Apulian knight, he is attested only in the Aragonese version of the Chronicle of the Morea. [18]
Adam "Visconte de Tremblay"unknownSecond tenure, according to the Chronicle of the Morea, which records him after Galeoto del Goto. [18]
Walter of LorKnightunknownA French knight, he is attested only in the Aragonese version of the Chronicle of the Morea, which records him after the second tenure of Adam "Visconte de Tremblay". [18]
Pietro Minutolo c.June/October 1355Attested in two letters by Robert of Taranto, but not in the Chronicle of the Morea. [19]
Philip of San BlasKnightunknownAn Apulian knight, he is attested only in the Aragonese version of the Chronicle of the Morea, which records him after Walter of Lor. [19]
Perroto ArrimenounknownPossibly a brother or relative of Menillo Acrimeno, he is attested only in the Aragonese version of the Chronicle of the Morea, which records him after Philip of San Blas. He died in office. [18]
Nicholas BallenaChancellor of AchaeaunknownAccording to the Aragonese version of the Chronicle of the Morea, he was chosen by the barons on Arrimeno's death. His name is otherwise attested in 1354 and 1362. [18]
Adam "Visconte de Tremblay"unknownThird tenure, according to the Chronicle of the Morea, following Ballena. [18]
CarreselloKnightunknownA Neapolitan knight, possibly a member of the Caracciollo family, attested only in the Aragonese version of the Chronicle of the Morea. [18]
Francisco de Massa Latin Archbishop of Corinth unknownAttested in contemporary documents, but not in the Chronicle of the Morea. [19]
Alexander Brancaccio Imbriaco Marshal of Sicily and of AchaeaunknownAttested in contemporary documents, but not in the Chronicle of the Morea. [19]
Louis, Count of Enghien 1370–1371 Philip III of Taranto
Balthasar de Sorba 1371–1373
Centurione I Zaccaria Baron of Damala, Chalandritsa, Estamira, and Grand Constable of Achaea ?–1376/7 Joanna of Naples
Paolo Foscari Latin Archbishop of Patras 1376/7
Daniel del Caretto 1377–1378Achaea leased to the Knights Hospitaller under Juan Fernández de Heredia, 1377–1381
Dominic de Alamania 1380
Mahiot de Coquerel 1381–? James of Baux
Interregnum: De facto rule by the Navarrese Company, multiple claimants to the princely title, 1383–1396
Angelo II Acciaioli Cardinal1394–? Ladislaus of Naples Appointed as Latin Archbishop of Patras at the same time as bailli. [20]
Direct rule by Prince Pedro de San Superano, 1396–1402
Direct rule by Princess Maria II Zaccaria, 1402–1404
Direct rule by Prince Centurione II Zaccaria , 1404–1432

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Bon 1969, p. 208.
  2. Fine 1994, pp. 71–72.
  3. Longnon 1969, p. 239.
  4. Bon 1969, pp. 139, 152.
  5. Longnon 1969, p. 259.
  6. Bon 1969, pp. 153–155.
  7. Longnon 1969, pp. 259, 261.
  8. Bon 1969, pp. 153, 155, 159.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 Bon 1969, p. 159.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Longnon 1969, p. 261.
  11. Bon 1969, pp. 164–170.
  12. Bon 1969, pp. 170–173.
  13. Bon 1969, p. 451.
  14. Topping 1975a, p. 123.
  15. Bon 1969, pp. 208–209.
  16. Bon 1969, pp. 208, 209, 212.
  17. Bon 1969, pp. 212–213, esp. note 7.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Bon 1969, pp. 215–216.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Bon 1969, p. 215.
  20. Bon 1969, p. 269.

Sources