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.
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.
List of baillis
Bailli Office/Rank Tenure Prince Comments Ref 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. 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 Achaea early 1278 Charles I of Anjou Appointed provisional bailli by the dying Prince William, until Charles I could make his own arrangements. Galeran of Ivry Seneschal of Sicily August 1278 – August 1280 Had troubled relations with the local barons due to his centralizing policies and the unruly behaviour of the Angevin troops. Philip of Lagonesse Marshal of Sicily August 1280 – October 1282 Reverted many of his predecessor's policies to conciliate the barons, was recalled upon the outbreak of the War of the Sicilian Vespers. Narjot de Toucy Admiral of Sicily October–November 1282 Nominated to succeed Lagonesse, but his duties as admiral prevented him from effectively taking up the office. Guy of Dramelay Baron of Chalandritsa November 1282 – 1285 First local baron to be assigned as to keep order while the Angevins were focused on the War of the Sicilian Vespers. 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. Nicholas II of Saint Omer Lord of half of Thebes 1287 – July 1289 At the time the second-most powerful lord after the underage Duke of Athens, Guy II de la Roche. Guy of Charpigny Baron of Vostitsa July – September 1289 Direct rule of Princess Isabella of Villehardouin and Florent of Hainaut, September 1289 – January 1297 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. Nicholas III of Saint Omer Lord of Thebes, Akova, and Marshal of Achaea spring 1300 – 1302 Direct rule of Prince Philip of Savoy, 1302–1305Nicholas III of Saint Omer Lord of Thebes, Akova, and Marshal of Achaea 1305–1307 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 Achaea 1311–1314? Matilda of Hainaut(with Louis of Burgundy until 1316) Nicholas le Maure Lord of Saint-Sauveur 1314–1315/6 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 Gerardo d'Anguilara 1331–1332 Gaudino Romano de Scalea April–August 1333 Catherine of Valois(as regent for Robert of Taranto) Pietro de San Severo August 1333 – July 1336 Bertrand of Les Baux Lord of Courthezon. He also received the title of Marshal of Achaea. July 1336 – summer 1338 Direct rule of Princess Catherine of Valois, 1338–1341 Bertrand of Les Baux February/July 1341 – before July 1344 Robert of Taranto(with Catherine of Valois until 1346) 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. Menillo Acrimeno of Naples Attested only in the Aragonese version of the Chronicle of the Morea. Nicolas Bocuto of Naples Attested only in the Aragonese version of the Chronicle of the Morea as serving before John Delbuy. John Delbuy Knight A 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. Philip of Jonvelle Baron of Vostitsa Elected by the barons of Achaea to replace Delbuy after his death. Bertrand Archbishop of Salerno Chosen by Marie de Bourbon. Galeoto del Goto Knight An Apulian knight, he is attested only in the Aragonese version of the Chronicle of the Morea. Adam "Visconte de Tremblay" unknown Second tenure, according to the Chronicle of the Morea, which records him after Galeoto del Goto. Walter of Lor Knight unknown A 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". Pietro Minutolo Attested in two letters by Robert of Taranto, but not in the Chronicle of the Morea. Philip of San Blas Knight unknown An Apulian knight, he is attested only in the Aragonese version of the Chronicle of the Morea, which records him after Walter of Lor. Perroto Arrimeno unknown Possibly 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. Nicholas Ballena Chancellor of Achaea unknown According 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. Adam "Visconte de Tremblay" unknown Third tenure, according to the Chronicle of the Morea, following Ballena. Carresello Knight unknown A Neapolitan knight, possibly a member of the Caracciollo family, attested only in the Aragonese version of the Chronicle of the Morea. Francisco de Massa Latin Archbishop of Corinth unknown Attested in contemporary documents, but not in the Chronicle of the Morea. Alexander Brancaccio Imbriaco Marshal of Sicily and of Achaea unknown Attested in contemporary documents, but not in the Chronicle of the Morea. 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 1377–1378 Achaea 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 Cardinal 1394–? Ladislaus of Naples Appointed as Latin Archbishop of Patras at the same time as bailli. 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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