Carlo I Tocco facts for kids

Carlo I Tocco was an important ruler in Greece during the Middle Ages. He was the hereditary Count palatine of Cephalonia and Zakynthos starting in 1376. Later, he became the Despot of Epirus in 1411 and ruled until he died on July 4, 1429.

Life

Carlo I Tocco was the son of Count Leonardo I Tocco. His mother was Maddalena de' Buondelmonti. Leonardo I Tocco was the count of Cephalonia from 1357 and also the duke of Leukas from 1362. Carlo's family had connections to rulers of Epirus, so he had a claim to that land.

When his father died in 1376, Carlo I became the count of Cephalonia and duke of Leukas. He shared power with his brother, Leonardo II Tocco. Leonardo II was given the island of Zante in 1399.

Expanding His Lands

Carlo's marriage to Francesca, the daughter of Nerio I Acciaioli, the Duke of Athens, helped him gain more land. After Nerio's death, Carlo claimed and took control of Corinth and Megara in 1395.

Since his islands couldn't provide a big army, Carlo hired soldiers from different places. These soldiers were called mercenaries. They came from Frankish, Byzantine, Serb, and mostly Albanian backgrounds. Carlo gave gifts and lands to their leaders. This made more Albanian leaders join him with their men. From the start, Carlo's army was mainly made up of Albanians. He rewarded them with land. He also hired more mercenaries from Ioannina and Vlachia.

Carlo also got involved in the affairs of the Principality of Achaea. In 1407–1408, his brother Leonardo attacked and took the fortress of Glarentza in the northwestern Morea. In 1421, Carlo bought Glarentza permanently.

At first, the Byzantines in the Despotate of the Morea didn't bother Carlo. They were both against the Achaean prince. But in late 1426, war started. Carlo's soldiers took animals from Albanian herders. In 1427, the Byzantine emperor, John VIII Palaiologos, led a campaign against Glarentza. The Byzantine fleet defeated Carlo's fleet in the Battle of the Echinades.

This defeat stopped Carlo from getting involved in the Morea. His lands there were given away in a deal. John VIII's brother, Constantine Palaiologos, married Carlo's niece, Creusa Tocco. Glarentza and other lands became her dowry (a gift of property given at marriage).

Taking Control of Epirus

From 1405, Carlo controlled several fortresses on the mainland, including Angelokastro. In 1411, he was asked to become the ruler of Ioannina. This happened after his uncle's widow and son were rejected. However, he had to fight against strong opposition from Albanian groups, especially the ruler of Arta, Yaqub Spata.

Even though the Albanians won a battle against Carlo in 1412, they couldn't take Ioannina. Later, Yaqub Spata was killed in battle in 1416. Carlo then moved on Arta and took control of it in 1416. Arta was given to Carlo's younger brother, Leonardo II. Now, the Tocco family controlled all the main towns in Epirus.

In 1415, the Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Palaiologos gave Carlo the title despotes. This was a high honor. Carlo also adopted Byzantine traditions. He signed all his official letters and orders in Greek.

Carlo's army included a special military group called stratiotai, especially from Ioannina. The highest-ranking officer in Carlo's army was the kapetanios. Most important military and diplomatic tasks were given to these officers. Many of Carlo's kapetanioi were Italian nobles or family members. The next most trusted group in his army were the Byzantine Greeks from Ioannina. After them were the Albanian warriors. Even though they served Carlo, they were led by their own leaders. However, these Albanian and Greek leaders were under the kapetanioi.

Carlo spent the rest of his rule in relative peace, except for his conflict with the Byzantine rulers of the Morea.

Carlo had several children born outside of marriage. His nephew, Carlo II Tocco, who was the son of Leonardo II, became his successor. His niece Creusa Tocco married Constantine XI, who later became the last Byzantine emperor.

Family

Carlo I Tocco did not have children with his wife, Francesca Acciaioli. However, he had five sons with another woman:

• Memnone
• Ercole
• Turno
• Antonio
• Orlando

Carlo also had a daughter who married the Ottoman prince Musa Çelebi in 1412. She became a widow in 1413.

Chronicle of the Tocco

Much of what we know about Carlo I Tocco comes from a book called Chronicle of the Tocco. This book was written by someone who lived at the same time as Carlo. It covers the years 1375–1425, which includes the time Carlo was ruling.

Images for kids

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  Carlo I Tocco's territorial expansion on the Greek mainland

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  Coat of arms of Carlo I Tocco as count of Cephalonia and ruler of Epirus