Difference between revisions of "Kostas Maleinos, 29th Duke of Cappadochia"

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Kostas Maleinos, 29th Duke of Cappadochia, KP, PC, Megas Domestikos (1437 – 29 September 1518) was a prominent Diadochian politician. He fell from favour in 1510.

Early life

Kostas Maleinos, 29th Duke of Cappadochia, was the eldest son of Demetrius Maleinos, 28th Duke of Cappadochia (1407–1488), and his second wife, Zoe (d. 1461). Both his father, then styled Earl of Kòrama and his grandfather, Andreas Maleinos, 27th Duke of Cappadochia, fought for Emperor Constantine II.

Maleinos was an able soldier, and was often employed in military operations. In 1461 he served in a northern campaign under the command of his father, who knighted him on 26 October 1461. On 4 May 1513 he was appointed Mégas Doúkas Náv̱archos. He was made a Knight of the Panagia after the accession of Emperor Eric II, and became one of the Emperor's closest companion, with lodgings at court.

Maleinos's first wife Anna died in 1474, and early in 1577 he married Helena the daughter of the Duke of Hormisdou, and Eleonora Gabras, the daughter of Duke of Thraceponte .

On 1 February 1478 Maleinos's father became Duke of Cappadochia, Maleinos was created Earl of Kòrama for life. Kòrama was made a member of the Privy council in 1480.

Rise to power

On 8 January 1486 Kòrama was made [Megas Mesazon]] upon his father's resignation of the office, and on 25 June 1488 he succeeded his father as 29th Duke of Cappadochia. Finding himself pushed aside for a time, Cappadochia spent considerable time away from court in in the 1590s. His loyalty and service to the Emperor brought him ample rewards. He received grants of lands in Cappadochia and Salamis, was employed on diplomatic missions, and was created Megas Domestikos on 24 June 1497.

Imprisonment and release

During the Emperor's final years, the Duke of Cappadochia tried to strengthen his position at court but the effort was forestalled by the provocative conduct of his eldest son and heir, Eric Maleinos, Earl of Kòrama, who had displayed in his own heraldry the imperial arms and insignia. On 16 January 1510 both Cappadochia and Kòrama were arrested and sent to the Fortress of Saint George. On 16 February 1511 Cappadochia acknowledged that he had "concealed high treason, in keeping secret the false acts of my son, Henry Earl of Kòrama, in using the arms of St. Alexios III, which pertain only to Emperors", and offered his lands to the Emperor. Cappadochia's family, including his estranged wife, his daughter Maria, and his mistress, all gave evidence against him. Kòrama was beheaded and the Duke was attainted by statute without trial and kept in Fortress until 1517, when he was pardoned.

His statutory attainder was declared void, thereby restoring him to the dukedom. He was appointed to the Privy Council, and served as as Megas Praipositos. He was also restored to the office of Megas Domestikos. He died the following year in 1518.

The Duke's property passed into the hands of the Crown during the minority of his grandson and heir, Kostas Maleinos, 30th Duke of Cappadochia.