William of Villehardouin

AI-assisted Knowledge Update: This article was automatically consolidated to provide you with the most up-to-date data instantly.

**William II of Villehardouin**
=====================================

William II of Villehardouin (c. 1211-1 May 1278) was a prince of Achaia (Peloponnesus) from 1246 to 1278.

**Early Life and Family**

William was born around 1211 at the family castle of Kalamata. He was the last of the children of Geoffroi de Villehardouin and Elizabeth. His older brother, Geoffrey II, received as inheritance the principality of Achaia. William's other siblings included an older sister, Alix, who married Hugues de Briel, lord of Karytaina.

**Reign**

William succeeded his childless brother in the summer of 1246 and ruled Achaia until his death in 1278. During his reign, he conquered the rest of the Peloponnese, which at the time was called Morea, and built the fortress Mistra near Sparta. He also conquered Monemvasia, forcing the Tzakones of nearby Mount Parnon into submission.

**Military Campaigns**

William's military campaigns against the Greeks of Nicaea were successful, thanks in part to the conflicts between Nicea and Epiro. He used these conflicts to complete his conquest of southeastern Morea within about three years. In 1259, he was taken prisoner by the Empire of Nicea but was liberated in 1262 in exchange for three cities on the southeast tip of the Morean peninsula.

**Personal Life**

William married an unnamed daughter of Narjot de Toucy, a high-ranking official of the Latin Empire. He also recognized Charles and his descendants as his heirs in the Treaty of Viterbo on 24 May 1267.

**Legacy**

William's reign marked the peak of Achaia's power but also its decline. He was the last prince of Achaia of the Villehardouin family. His legacy includes the construction of the fortress Mistra, which became an important city in the Byzantine Empire.

**Timeline**

* 1211: Born at Kalamata
* 1236: Supported the Latin Empire against the Empire of Nicaea
* 1246: Succeeded his brother as prince of Achaia
* 1259: Taken prisoner by the Empire of Nicea
* 1262: Liberated in exchange for three cities on the southeast tip of the Morean peninsula
* 1278: Died on 1 May

**References**

* Villehardouin, Guillaume (c. 1211-1278)
* Villehardouin, Geoffrey I (died after 1246)
* Villehardouin, Elizabeth (died after 1246)
* Villehardouin, Alix (married Hugues de Briel)
* Villehardouin, Charles (recognized as heir in the Treaty of Viterbo)