Francesco I. Gattilusio
Francesco I Gattilusio (actually Francesco Gattilusio; * probably around 1330; † August 6, 1384 in Lesvos ) was a patrician of Genoa and since 1355 Archon ( Regent or Mr. ) of Lesvos.
He came from the prestigious Genoese patrician family Gattilusio. About childhood and adolescence, little is known. Later he became known as a pirate and mercenary. In 1354 he arrived on the island of Tenedos and offered the Byzantine Emperor John V Palaiologos its military aid in its struggle against the counter- Emperor John VI. Cantacuzenus to. After the victory of Emperor John V Palaiologos was Francesco Gattilusio by the emperor as a thank you the island of Lesbos awarded as hereditary rule. On June 17, 1355, he entered the island's capital, Mytilene his reign as Archon of Lesbos. To 1357 married Francesco Gattilusio the Princess Maria Palaiologina, the widowed daughter of the Byzantine Emperor Andronikos III. Palaiologos and his second wife Anna Johanna of Savoy. From this marriage three sons Andronico, Domenico and Jacopo were born.
Politically, Francesco I, of the Venetian style of government copied in his kingdom, closely associated with Byzantium. He reached for example, that the Emperor John V. entered into negotiations with the Pope. He took part in the Emperor's side also in various campaigns and travel. However, from 1373 it was due to the policy of rapprochement of Byzantium to the Ottomans to tensions between Francesco and the Emperor. After the death of John V. in 1376, however, Francesco I could then benefit from the policies of the new Emperor Andronikos progenuesischen IV. So he took the city of Ainos in Thrace in his strength, and seated his brother Niccolo I. Gattilusio as the Lord of Ainos. As a lucrative source of income Francesco I Gattilusio operation as Archon of Lesbos still piracy.
On August 6, 1384 Francesco I Gattilusio came with his sons and Andronico Domenico during an earthquake on the island of Lesbos killed. Although inherited by his widow Maria, the island of Lesbos, but as Archon was succeeded by his approximately 14 - year-old son Jacopo, who took the name Francesco II.