| Barony of Estamira | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barony of thePrincipality of Achaea | |||||||
| after 1230 – 1290s ca. 1370 – 1429 | |||||||
 Map of the Peloponnese with its principal locations during the late Middle Ages | |||||||
| Capital | Estamira | ||||||
| • Type | Feudal lordship | ||||||
| Historical era | Middle Ages | ||||||
• Established | after 1230 | ||||||
• Reabsorption into the princely domain | 1290s | ||||||
• Re-establishment forCenturione I Zaccaria | ca. 1370 | ||||||
• Conquest by theByzantine Empire | 1429 | ||||||
| |||||||
TheBarony of Estamira orStamira was a medievalFrankish fiefdom of thePrincipality of Achaea, located in the fertile plains of theElis region of thePeloponnese peninsula inGreece, and centred on the now vanished fortress of Estamira (variously also Estamirra, Stamirra, later Stamero or Stamiro,Greek:Στάμηρον).[1]
The Barony of Estamira was not one of the originalbaronies into which thePrincipality of Achaea was divided by theCrusaders after the conquest of thePeloponnese. Instead, it was created some time after 1230, its territory originally forming part of the princely domain. It comprised 12 knight's fiefs and was granted toGeoffrey Chauderon, probably ofChampenois origin, who was also theGrand Constable of the Principality.[2] Died in 1278, Geoffrey was succeeded in the barony and as a constable by his sonJohn Chauderon. A daughter, her name unknown, is also mentioned, who was sent toConstantinople in 1261 as a hostage to theByzantine court.[3] Apart from Estamira, John also acquired possession ofRoviata and lands in Italy, some of which he exchanged in 1289 withHugh, Count of Brienne for the fortress ofBeauvoir (Pontikokastron).[4] He is known to have had only a daughter, Bartholomée, who succeeded him in some of his domains in 1294.[3] The fate of the barony is unclear, but it seems that at some point it reverted to the princely domain; in 1315–1316 it was held by the forces ofFerdinand of Majorca.[1]
Finally, some time in the late 14th century, possibly in 1370, PrincePhilip III ceded the barony, along with the title of Grand Constable, toCenturione I Zaccaria.[5] The barony remained in Zaccaria's hands until the end of the Principality at the hands of the Byzantines of theDespotate of the Morea in 1429.Theodora Tocco, wife of the DespotConstantine Palaiologos, died at Stameron/Estamira (often confused withSantameri Castle) in November 1429.[6] The castle of Estamira is reported as being in ruins in 1467; its location is now forgotten, but should lie east ofGastouni.[7]
