Geoffrey II of Villehardouin (French: Geoffroi II de Villehardouin) (c. 1195- after May 6, 1246) was the third prince of Achaea (c. 1229-1246).[1][2] From his accession to the princely throne, he was a powerful and respected person, and even Frenchknights came to the principality to enter his service.[3] Geoffrey II emerged as the most powerful vassal of the Latin Empire of Constantinople, the person around whom the crusaders' states in modern Greece gradually regrouped themselves.[2] He came to the rescue of the imperial capital three times.[2] As a reward of his services to the Latin Empire, he was granted suzerainty over the island of Euboea by his brother-in-law, Emperor Baldwin II of Constantinople (1228–1261).[2][4] He was also a humane prince, benevolent and just, solicitous for the condition of the common people.[5]
Geoffrey was born as the eldest son of Geoffrey of Villehardouin, a French knight from Champagne and his wife, Elisabeth of Chappes.[1] His father joined the Fourth Crusade in 1199, later conquered a significant part of the Peloponnese and seized the throne of the Principality of Achaea following the death of its first prince, William I (1205–1209).[6]
The new prince summoned his wife from Champagne during the early period of his residence in the Peloponnese.[7] She came with their young son, Geoffrey and the family took up its residence in the castles of La Crémonie (now Sparta, Greece) and Kalamata.[8]
Geoffrey II succeeded his father at the age of about 35.[2] He lived in a noble style, keeping always at his court 80 knights with golden spurs, supported on his bounty.[2]
He began his reign during a very critical period in the history of the Latin Empire of Constantinople, because the fall of the Kingdom of Thessalonica in 1224 had interposed formidable enemies between the capital of the empire on the one hand and the crusaders' states in the Peloponnese on the other.[3][9] But the defeat of Emperor Theodore Komnenos Doukas of Thessalonica (c. 1225-1230) by Tzar Ivan Asen II of Bulgaria (1218–1241) at Klokotnitza in April, 1230 freed them from the dangers inherent in the great concentration of power in the hand of Theodore Komnenos Doukas.[3][10]
Living on good terms with his Greek neighbors, Geoffrey II assured the peace and prosperity of his principality.[5][11] He frequently sent investigators to the courts of the barons to inform him of their way of life and of the manner in which they treated their vassals.[5]
His resources permitted him to send financial aid to his liege lord Emperor John I of Constantinople (1231–1237).[4][5] In 1236 he intervened in person to succor Constantinople, besieged by the forces of the Greek Emperor John III Vatatzes of Nicaea (1222–1254).[5][12] With a fleet manned by 100 knights, 300 crossbow-men, and 500 archers, he forced the blockade and then, in conjunction with the Venetians, Pisans, and Genoese, repulsed the Greek fleet and delivered the capital.[5] In the same year, Count Maio I Orsini of Cephalonia (1194–1238) placed himself under Geoffrey II's suzerainty.[13] In July 1237 he gave the Teutonic Knights a hospital in Andravida.[citation needed]
In 1238, uniting his ships with those of Venice, he again came to the rescue of Constantinople, once more besieged by the emperor of Nicaea.[5] In the following year, Geoffrey II wished to take part in the crusade of his overlord of France, Count Theobald IV of Champagne (1201–1253), but Pope Gregory IX ordered him to turn his forces against the Greek emperor in order to ensure the safety of Constantinople.[5] On February 9, 1240, the pope granted him an indulgence to the effect that the vow he had made of going as a crusader to the Holy Land might be fulfilled, with all benefits, by rendering continued assistance to the beleaguered Latin Empire.[14]
In 1243, upon the false rumor of the death of his brother-in-law, Emperor Baldwin II of Constantinople (1228–1261), Geoffrey II returned to the capital of the empire in order to secure the regency during the minority of his wife's nephew, Philip.[4][5]
Geoffrey II died in 1246 and was buried in his capital, Andravida, in the church of the monastery of St. Jacob.[1]
Footnotes
^ abcCawley, Charles (2010-07-03). "Greece, Latin Lordships – Chapter 1: Achaia – B.: Princes of Achaia 1209-1278 (Villehardouin)". Medieval Lands. fmg.ac (Foundation for Medieval Genealogy). Retrieved 2010-11-28.
Bon, Antoine (1969). La Morée franque. Recherches historiques, topographiques et archéologiques sur la principauté d'Achaïe [The Frankish Morea. Historical, Topographic and Archaeological Studies on the Principality of Achaea] (in French). Paris: De Boccard. OCLC 869621129.
Fine, John V. A. Jr. (1994) [1987]. The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest. Ann Arbor, Michigan: University of Michigan Press. ISBN0-472-08260-4.
Longnon, Jean (1969) [1962]. "The Frankish States in Greece, 1204–1311". In Setton, Kenneth M.; Wolff, Robert Lee; Hazard, Harry W. (eds.). A History of the Crusades, Volume II: The Later Crusades, 1189–1311 (Second ed.). Madison, Milwaukee, and London: University of Wisconsin Press. pp. 234–275. ISBN0-299-04844-6.
Setton, Kenneth M. (1976). The Papacy and the Levant (1204–1571), Volume I: The Thirteenth and Fourteenth Centuries. Philadelphia: The American Philosophical Society. ISBN0-87169-114-0.
External links
Finley jr, John H.: Corinth in the Middle Ages. Speculum, Vol. 7, No. 4. 1932, pp. 477-499.
Tozer, H. F.: The Franks in the Peloponnese. The Journal of Hellenic Studies, Vol. 4. (1883), pp. 165-236.
geoffrey, villehardouin, french, geoffroi, villehardouin, 1195, after, 1246, third, prince, achaea, 1229, 1246, from, accession, princely, throne, powerful, respected, person, even, french, knights, came, principality, enter, service, geoffrey, emerged, most, . Geoffrey II of Villehardouin French Geoffroi II de Villehardouin c 1195 after May 6 1246 was the third prince of Achaea c 1229 1246 1 2 From his accession to the princely throne he was a powerful and respected person and even French knights came to the principality to enter his service 3 Geoffrey II emerged as the most powerful vassal of the Latin Empire of Constantinople the person around whom the crusaders states in modern Greece gradually regrouped themselves 2 He came to the rescue of the imperial capital three times 2 As a reward of his services to the Latin Empire he was granted suzerainty over the island of Euboea by his brother in law Emperor Baldwin II of Constantinople 1228 1261 2 4 He was also a humane prince benevolent and just solicitous for the condition of the common people 5 Geoffrey IIGeoffroi IIPrince of AchaeaCoat of Arms of the Principality of AchaeaReignc 1229 1246PredecessorGeoffrey ISuccessorWilliam IIBornc 1195UnknownDiedafter May 6 1246UnknownBurialChurch of St James AndravidaSpouseAgnes of CourtenayIssueNoneDynastyVillehardouinFatherGeoffrey IMotherElisabeth of Chappes Contents 1 Early years 2 His reign 3 Footnotes 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksEarly years EditGeoffrey was born as the eldest son of Geoffrey of Villehardouin a French knight from Champagne and his wife Elisabeth of Chappes 1 His father joined the Fourth Crusade in 1199 later conquered a significant part of the Peloponnese and seized the throne of the Principality of Achaea following the death of its first prince William I 1205 1209 6 The new prince summoned his wife from Champagne during the early period of his residence in the Peloponnese 7 She came with their young son Geoffrey and the family took up its residence in the castles of La Cremonie now Sparta Greece and Kalamata 8 In 1217 the young Geoffrey married Agnes the daughter of Emperor Peter I of Constantinople 1217 2 4 His reign EditGeoffrey II succeeded his father at the age of about 35 2 He lived in a noble style keeping always at his court 80 knights with golden spurs supported on his bounty 2 He began his reign during a very critical period in the history of the Latin Empire of Constantinople because the fall of the Kingdom of Thessalonica in 1224 had interposed formidable enemies between the capital of the empire on the one hand and the crusaders states in the Peloponnese on the other 3 9 But the defeat of Emperor Theodore Komnenos Doukas of Thessalonica c 1225 1230 by Tzar Ivan Asen II of Bulgaria 1218 1241 at Klokotnitza in April 1230 freed them from the dangers inherent in the great concentration of power in the hand of Theodore Komnenos Doukas 3 10 Living on good terms with his Greek neighbors Geoffrey II assured the peace and prosperity of his principality 5 11 He frequently sent investigators to the courts of the barons to inform him of their way of life and of the manner in which they treated their vassals 5 His resources permitted him to send financial aid to his liege lord Emperor John I of Constantinople 1231 1237 4 5 In 1236 he intervened in person to succor Constantinople besieged by the forces of the Greek Emperor John III Vatatzes of Nicaea 1222 1254 5 12 With a fleet manned by 100 knights 300 crossbow men and 500 archers he forced the blockade and then in conjunction with the Venetians Pisans and Genoese repulsed the Greek fleet and delivered the capital 5 In the same year Count Maio I Orsini of Cephalonia 1194 1238 placed himself under Geoffrey II s suzerainty 13 In July 1237 he gave the Teutonic Knights a hospital in Andravida citation needed In 1238 uniting his ships with those of Venice he again came to the rescue of Constantinople once more besieged by the emperor of Nicaea 5 In the following year Geoffrey II wished to take part in the crusade of his overlord of France Count Theobald IV of Champagne 1201 1253 but Pope Gregory IX ordered him to turn his forces against the Greek emperor in order to ensure the safety of Constantinople 5 On February 9 1240 the pope granted him an indulgence to the effect that the vow he had made of going as a crusader to the Holy Land might be fulfilled with all benefits by rendering continued assistance to the beleaguered Latin Empire 14 In 1243 upon the false rumor of the death of his brother in law Emperor Baldwin II of Constantinople 1228 1261 Geoffrey II returned to the capital of the empire in order to secure the regency during the minority of his wife s nephew Philip 4 5 Geoffrey II died in 1246 and was buried in his capital Andravida in the church of the monastery of St Jacob 1 Footnotes Edit a b c Cawley Charles 2010 07 03 Greece Latin Lordships Chapter 1 Achaia B Princes of Achaia 1209 1278 Villehardouin Medieval Lands fmg ac Foundation for Medieval Genealogy Retrieved 2010 11 28 a b c d e f g Longnon 1969 p 242 a b c Setton 1976 p 56 a b c d Fine 1994 p 614 a b c d e f g h i Longnon 1969 p 243 Fine 1994 pp 69 72 Setton 1976 p 49 Setton 1976 p 49 50 Fine 1994 p 119 Fine 1994 pp 120 614 616 Fine 1994 p 122 Fine 1994 p 613 Longnon 1969 pp 243 846 847 Setton 1976 p 63 See also EditPrincipality of Achaea Chronicle of MoreaReferences EditBon Antoine 1969 La Moree franque Recherches historiques topographiques et archeologiques sur la principaute d Achaie The Frankish Morea Historical Topographic and Archaeological Studies on the Principality of Achaea in French Paris De Boccard OCLC 869621129 Fine John V A Jr 1994 1987 The Late Medieval Balkans A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest Ann Arbor Michigan University of Michigan Press ISBN 0 472 08260 4 Longnon Jean 1969 1962 The Frankish States in Greece 1204 1311 In Setton Kenneth M Wolff Robert Lee Hazard Harry W eds A History of the Crusades Volume II The Later Crusades 1189 1311 Second ed Madison Milwaukee and London University of Wisconsin Press pp 234 275 ISBN 0 299 04844 6 Setton Kenneth M 1976 The Papacy and the Levant 1204 1571 Volume I The Thirteenth and Fourteenth Centuries Philadelphia The American Philosophical Society ISBN 0 87169 114 0 External links EditFinley jr John H Corinth in the Middle Ages Speculum Vol 7 No 4 1932 pp 477 499 Tozer H F The Franks in the Peloponnese The Journal of Hellenic Studies Vol 4 1883 pp 165 236 Regnal titlesPreceded byGeoffrey I Prince of Achaeac 1229 1246 Succeeded byWilliam II Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Geoffrey II of Villehardouin amp oldid 1125109431, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
