Bailli of the Principality of Achaea


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

BailliOffice/RankTenurePrinceCommentsRef
Geoffrey of VillehardouinBaron of Kalamata and Arcadia1208 – 1209William of ChamplitteOne 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, 1209–1229Direct rule by Prince Geoffrey I of Villehardouin, 1209–1229Direct rule by Prince Geoffrey I of Villehardouin, 1209–1229Direct rule by Prince Geoffrey I of Villehardouin, 1209–1229Direct rule by Prince Geoffrey I of Villehardouin, 1209–1229
Direct rule by Prince Geoffrey II of Villehardouin, 1229–1246Direct rule by Prince Geoffrey II of Villehardouin, 1229–1246Direct rule by Prince Geoffrey II of Villehardouin, 1229–1246Direct rule by Prince Geoffrey II of Villehardouin, 1229–1246Direct rule by Prince Geoffrey II of Villehardouin, 1229–1246
Direct rule by Prince William of Villehardouin, 1246–1278Direct rule by Prince William of Villehardouin, 1246–1278Direct rule by Prince William of Villehardouin, 1246–1278Direct rule by Prince William of Villehardouin, 1246–1278Direct rule by Prince William of Villehardouin, 1246–1278
John ChauderonBaron of Estamira and Grand Constable of Achaeaearly 1278Charles I of AnjouAppointed provisional bailli by the dying Prince William, until Charles I could make his own arrangements.
Galeran of IvrySeneschal of SicilyAugust 1278 – August 1280Charles I of AnjouHad troubled relations with the local barons due to his centralizing policies and the unruly behaviour of the Angevin troops.
Philip of LagonesseMarshal of SicilyAugust 1280 – October 1282Charles I of AnjouReverted many of his predecessor's policies to conciliate the barons, was recalled upon the outbreak of the War of the Sicilian Vespers.
Narjot de ToucyAdmiral of SicilyOctober–November 1282Charles I of AnjouNominated to succeed Lagonesse, but his duties as admiral prevented him from effectively taking up the office.
Guy of DramelayBaron of ChalandritsaNovember 1282 – 1285Charles I of AnjouFirst local baron to be assigned as bailli to keep order while the Angevins were focused on the War of the Sicilian Vespers.
William I de la RocheDuke of Athens1285–1287Charles II of AnjouMost powerful of the Latin lords in Greece, held office until his death.
Nicholas II of Saint OmerLord of half of Thebes1287 – July 1289Charles II of AnjouAt the time the second-most powerful lord after the underage Duke of Athens, Guy II de la Roche.
Guy of CharpignyBaron of VostitsaJuly – September 1289Charles II of Anjou
Direct rule of Princess Isabella of Villehardouin and Florent of Hainaut, September 1289 – January 1297Direct rule of Princess Isabella of Villehardouin and Florent of Hainaut, September 1289 – January 1297Direct rule of Princess Isabella of Villehardouin and Florent of Hainaut, September 1289 – January 1297Direct rule of Princess Isabella of Villehardouin and Florent of Hainaut, September 1289 – January 1297Direct rule of Princess Isabella of Villehardouin and Florent of Hainaut, September 1289 – January 1297
Richard OrsiniCount Palatine of Cephalonia and ZakynthosJanuary 1297 – spring 1300Isabella
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 OmerLord of Thebes, Akova, and Marshal of Achaeaspring 1300 – 1302Isabella
Direct rule of Prince Philip of Savoy, 1302–1305Direct rule of Prince Philip of Savoy, 1302–1305Direct rule of Prince Philip of Savoy, 1302–1305Direct rule of Prince Philip of Savoy, 1302–1305Direct rule of Prince Philip of Savoy, 1302–1305
Nicholas III of Saint OmerLord of Thebes, Akova, and Marshal of Achaea1305–1307Isabella with Philip of Savoy
Guy II de la RocheDuke of Athens1307–1308Philip II of Taranto
Bertin ViscontePhilip II of Taranto
Gilles de la Plainche1311Philip II of Taranto
Nicholas III of Saint OmerLord of Thebes, Akova, and Marshal of Achaea1311–1314?Philip II of Taranto
Nicholas III of Saint OmerLord of Thebes, Akova, and Marshal of Achaea1311–1314?Matilda of Hainaut
Nicholas le MaureLord of Saint-Sauveur1314–1315/6Matilda of Hainaut
Eustachio Pagano de NoceraMatilda of Hainaut
Frederick Trogisio1318–1321Matilda of Hainaut
Frederick Trogisio1318–1321Louis ΙΙ of Bourbon
Ligorio Guindazzo1321–1322John of Gravina
Perronet de Villamastray1322–1323John of Gravina
Nicolas de Joinville1323–1325John of Gravina
Pierre de Sus1326–1327John of Gravina
Francesco de la Monaca1327–1329John of Gravina
William FrangipaniLatin Archbishop of Patras1329–1331John of Gravina
Gerardo d'Anguilara1331–1332John of Gravina
Gaudino Romano de ScaleaApril–August 1333Catherine of Valois
Pietro de San SeveroAugust 1333 – July 1336Catherine of Valois
Bertrand of Les BauxLord of Courthezon. He also received the title of Marshal of Achaea.July 1336 – summer 1338Catherine of Valois
Direct rule of Princess Catherine of Valois, 1338–1341Direct rule of Princess Catherine of Valois, 1338–1341Direct rule of Princess Catherine of Valois, 1338–1341Direct rule of Princess Catherine of Valois, 1338–1341Direct rule of Princess Catherine of Valois, 1338–1341
Bertrand of Les BauxFebruary/July 1341 – before July 1344Robert of Taranto
Adam "Visconte de Tremblay"1346?Robert of Taranto
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 NaplesRobert of Taranto
Attested only in the Aragonese version of the Chronicle of the Morea.
Nicolas Bocuto of NaplesRobert of Taranto
Attested only in the Aragonese version of the Chronicle of the Morea as serving before John Delbuy.
John DelbuyKnightRobert of Taranto
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 JonvelleBaron of VostitsaRobert of Taranto
Elected by the barons of Achaea to replace Delbuy after his death.
BertrandArchbishop of SalernoRobert of Taranto
Chosen by Marie de Bourbon.
Galeoto del GotoKnightRobert of Taranto
An Apulian knight, he is attested only in the Aragonese version of the Chronicle of the Morea.
Adam "Visconte de Tremblay"unknownRobert of Taranto
Second tenure, according to the Chronicle of the Morea, which records him after Galeoto del Goto.
Walter of LorKnightunknownRobert of Taranto
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 MinutoloRobert of Taranto
Attested in two letters by Robert of Taranto, but not in the Chronicle of the Morea.
Philip of San BlasKnightunknownRobert of Taranto
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 ArrimenounknownRobert of Taranto
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 BallenaChancellor of AchaeaunknownRobert of Taranto
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"unknownRobert of Taranto
Third tenure, according to the Chronicle of the Morea, following Ballena.
CarreselloKnightunknownRobert of Taranto
A Neapolitan knight, possibly a member of the Caracciollo family, attested only in the Aragonese version of the Chronicle of the Morea.
Francisco de MassaLatin Archbishop of CorinthunknownRobert of Taranto
Attested in contemporary documents, but not in the Chronicle of the Morea.
Alexander Brancaccio ImbriacoMarshal of Sicily and of AchaeaunknownRobert of Taranto
Attested in contemporary documents, but not in the Chronicle of the Morea.
Louis, Count of Enghien1370–1371Philip III of Taranto
Balthasar de Sorba1371–1373Philip III of Taranto
Centurione I ZaccariaBaron of Damala, Chalandritsa, Estamira, and Grand Constable of Achaea?–1376/7Joanna of Naples
Paolo FoscariLatin Archbishop of Patras1376/7Joanna of Naples
Daniel del Caretto1377–1378Achaea leased to the Knights Hospitaller under Juan Fernández de Heredia, 1377–1381
Dominic de Alamania1380Achaea leased to the Knights Hospitaller under Juan Fernández de Heredia, 1377–1381
Mahiot de Coquerel1381–?James of Baux
Interregnum: De facto rule by the Navarrese Company, multiple claimants to the princely title, 1383–1396Interregnum: De facto rule by the Navarrese Company, multiple claimants to the princely title, 1383–1396Interregnum: De facto rule by the Navarrese Company, multiple claimants to the princely title, 1383–1396Interregnum: De facto rule by the Navarrese Company, multiple claimants to the princely title, 1383–1396Interregnum: De facto rule by the Navarrese Company, multiple claimants to the princely title, 1383–1396
Angelo II AcciaioliCardinal1394–?Ladislaus of NaplesAppointed as Latin Archbishop of Patras at the same time as bailli.
Direct rule by Prince Pedro de San Superano, 1396–1402Direct rule by Prince Pedro de San Superano, 1396–1402Direct rule by Prince Pedro de San Superano, 1396–1402Direct rule by Prince Pedro de San Superano, 1396–1402Direct rule by Prince Pedro de San Superano, 1396–1402
Direct rule by Princess Maria II Zaccaria, 1402–1404Direct rule by Princess Maria II Zaccaria, 1402–1404Direct rule by Princess Maria II Zaccaria, 1402–1404Direct rule by Princess Maria II Zaccaria, 1402–1404Direct rule by Princess Maria II Zaccaria, 1402–1404
Direct rule by Prince Centurione II Zaccaria, 1404–1432Direct rule by Prince Centurione II Zaccaria, 1404–1432Direct rule by Prince Centurione II Zaccaria, 1404–1432Direct rule by Prince Centurione II Zaccaria, 1404–1432Direct rule by Prince Centurione II Zaccaria, 1404–1432