Manuel Kantakouzenos
Manuel Kantakouzenos (1326 – April 10, 1380) was the first Despot of Mistra (1349-1380). He was the second son of Emperor John VI Kantakouzenos. He was born in Constantinople around 1326. During the civil war (1341-1347), he actively supported and assisted his father. In fact, between 1343 and 1347, he served as the governor of Veria. In 1348, he was appointed governor of Constantinople during his father's absence on a campaign in Thrace. In 1349, he was proclaimed Despot and sent to govern the distant province of Mistra, where his grandfather had served 30 years earlier, taking over the administration of the state's territories in the Peloponnese.
The assignment of Manuel to govern Mistra is considered a milestone in the history of the province, as it would later become closely associated with the royal family and one of the most important parts of the crumbling Byzantine Empire. In fact, the term Despotate was primarily used for Mistra because of the presence of members from both royal families in the region. Manuel proved to be an exceptionally capable ruler and politician. His appointment to this province, far from the toxic influence of the capital, allowed him to showcase his abilities and undertake remarkable activity. He quickly managed to suppress the uprisings of the rebellious local nobles and forced them to accept his authority. Thanks to this success, he established a strong central government and imposed his rule on the previously chaotic and anarchic province, transforming it into the most prosperous part of later medieval Hellenism. However, due to his resoluteness in imposing order in the area, he was criticized by his opponents for cruelty and tyranny.
After his father's resignation (1354), John V attempted to remove him by appointing Michael and Andrew Asanes as governors, trying to restore the old system of governance. However, Manuel successfully repelled them and forced John V to recognize him as the legitimate governor of Mistra. From that point, all members of the Kantakouzenos family sought refuge there. Over the following years, Manuel focused on strengthening his position, sought cooperation with the Frankish rulers of southern Greece to repel Turkish pirate raids (1360), and became recognized as one of the key figures of the region. He managed to develop good relations with the Principality of Achaea. He also encouraged the settlement of Albanian tribes in the Peloponnese and placed them in various locations as farmer-soldiers, strengthening his population base at a time when many Byzantine provinces were becoming depopulated. Moreover, he ensured the development of his capital by constructing many buildings, such as a new palace and the beautiful church of Hagia Sophia in Mistra, while inviting artists and scholars, laying the foundations for the intellectual development that the region would experience in the 15th century.
When he died in 1380, he left behind a strong state that would become the last refuge of the Byzantine Empire, which no longer resembled the unstable entity he found 30 years earlier. He was succeeded by his brother Matthew (1380-1383).
Manuel married Zampia (Isabella) of Poitiers-Lusignan, daughter of Guy (Constantine V), King of Lesser Armenia.
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