Despotate of Epirus

Despotate of Epirus founded in 1204. It was one of the three independent Greek states which have taken the place of the Byzantine Empire after its dissolution by the crusaders, under a prince of the Byzantine House of Angeloi Comneni who assumed the title of 'Despot'. The founder of the Despotate Michael I, was murdered shortly after he took over Corfu in 1214.

He was succeeded by Theodore and Manuel. This time of Greek rule was a time of security, progress and peace for the island. The 4th and last despot Michael II especially favored the island. This time the fortress of Angelocastro was built in the northwest part of the island.

Michael II seeking the alliance of King Manfred of Sicily gave him his daughter Helen in marriage in 1259 and bestowed upon her Corfu as a dowry. After the death of Manfred at the battle of Benevento in 1266, his commander in Corfu Philippe Eschinard became master of the island. Michael II gave him Corfu as a dowry in his marriage to his sister-in-law.

Eschinard was shortly afterwards assassinated on the order of the Despot Michael II who tried to recover the island but failed, as the leader of Eschinard's troops surrender the island to the Angevins of Naples in 1267.

The Angevins in Corfu

The Treaty of Viterbo in 1267 recognized the Angevins under Charles I of Anjou, King of Sicily and Southern Italy, as masters of the island - this last until 1386.

The Angevin invaders abolished the ancient title of the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Corfu and replaced it by the lower dignity of Great Protopapa or Archpriest. The title of Archbishop was vested in the head of the local Latin Church. Head of the government was Captain (Capetano) who represented the king and assumed the title of Bailo. The High Court of Justice (Curia Regis as it was called) consisted of the Captain, a jurist and a notary all foreigners appointed by the king as well as three Greek judges.

During this time the island was divided into 4 bailiwicks, called the Circle, the Mountain, the Centre and Lefkimi. These names persist to the present day. The Angevins extended the feudal system which already existed in the island since the Byzantine dominion. Corfu was a valuable possession for the Angevins for its economic resources such as its vineyards and olive trees.

The war between the Houses of Aragon and Anjou led to many raids in Corfu. It was during the period of Angevin rule in the 13th century that the first sizeable Jewish Community was established in the island. The newcomers are believed to have arrived as refugees from the Greek mainland.

They established their synagogue which was called the Greek and which still stands in Velissariou street in Corfu town. In 1493 there was a second influx of Jews mainly from Spain.