Francesco I of Lesbos

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Francesco I Gattilusio, Lord of Lesbos (d. 6 August 1384) was the first member of the Gattilusio family to rule the Aegean Island of Lesbos.

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[edit] Freebooter

The Gattilusio family came from the Republic of Genoa. The parents of Francesco I and his brother Niccolo of Ainos are not known.

Francesco enters historical record as a freebooter, a term used for pirates. In 1354, Francesco and his crew landed on Tenedos. The island served at the time as residence to John V Palaiologos, one of three co-emperors to the throne of the Byzantine Empire. His co-emperors were his father-in-law John VI Kantakouzenos and brother-in-law Matthew Kantakouzenos. John V and his in-laws were in conflict at the time.

John V and Francesco entered an alliance. He would help his new ally regain control of Constantinople. In return he would be given the hand of Maria Palaiologina, a sister of John V, in marriage.

In early December, 1354, Francesco led a minor fleet to Constantinople. They approached the city late at night and pretended that they were in need of assistance. They claimed that one of their ships was sinking and requested help in salvaging the cargo from shipwreck. Promising a share of it to the sentries of the city for their help. Seeing a chance to profit, the sentries opened a gate. Francesco then led about five hundred armed forces through the gate. They took command of the Walls of Constantinople and rose the citizens from their sleep with shouts in favor of John V. Riots in favor of John V soon started. By December 4, 1354, John VI resigned his title and retired to a monastery.

[edit] Lord

Francesco had managed to regain control of the capital for John V and removed his main rival from the political field. John V completed their agreement by making Francesco his brother-in-law. The bride, Maria Palaiologina, was a daughter of Andronikos III Palaiologos and Anna of Savoy.

On 17 July 1355, Francesco was further rewarded by the title of Archon (Lord) of Lesbos. John V had offered him the island as dowry for his sister.

In 1366, Francesco joined with Amadeus VI, Count of Savoy in a campaign to restore the stability of the Byzantine Empire. They jointly captured Gallipoli from Murad I of the Ottoman Empire after two days of fighting.

In 1369, Francesco accompanied John V on his trip to Rome which was designed to reconcile the Eastern Orthodox Church with the Roman Catholic Church.

On 6 August 1384, an earthquake affected Lesbos. Francesco I, Maria and their two eldest sons, Andronico and Domenico, were all killed. However the third son Jacopo survived. He succeeded in the rule of Lesbos under the name Francesco II.

[edit] Children

Francesco and Maria Palaiologina had three known children:

Francesco I of Lesbos
Born: 14th century Died: 1384
Royal titles
Preceded by
None
Previously held by John V Palaiologos		 Lord of Lesbos
1355–1384		 Succeeded by
Francesco II

[edit] References

  • Norwich, John Julius Byzantium: The Decline and Fall (New York: Alfred A> Knopf, 1996) p. 329, 333
  • "Byzantinische Zeitschrif" (1913) by William Miller, chapter "The Gattilusj of Lesbos", p. 406-447.

[edit] External links