Where in the Mani was the Frankish Castle of Megali Maini (Grand Magne)?: A New Synthesis of the Evidence, lecture by Michael Heslop (Royal Holloway, University of London), The Hellenic Centre, London, January 23, 2017, 7:15 pm

‘I’m going to tell you a great tale, and if you will listen to me, I hope it will please you’. So wrote the 14th century author of the Greek Chronicle of the Morea in recounting the story of the Frankish conquest of the Peloponnese in the years following the Fourth Crusade. Part of his tale involved a tantalizing vague description of the circumstances in which Guillaume II de Villehardouin built the castle of Megali Maini.

Although the Frankish conquest of the Peloponnese was somewhat independent of the other Latin conquests, it is perhaps significant that the conquest was not completed until Guillaume acquired the region of Lakonia and its principal seaport, Monemvasia, in the late 1240s. His rationale for this step is not clear, but perhaps he was concerned that the expanding Nicaean empire might attempt to solidify its ties with Monemvasia by annexing the town and its hinterland.

Megali Maini was built ca. 1250, following the construction of Guillaume’s castle at Mistra, most likely to further encircle the troublesome Slavic Melingoi tribe living in the Taygetus hills. Guillaume completed the containment plan by building the castle of Beaufort at Leftro (now Stoupa).

Given the obscure description of its location in the Greek version of the Chronicle, historians and travellers have offered a range of views and suggestions as to the location of Megali Maini; these ideas range from Porto Kayio, Kastro tis Orias, Ano Poula, and Tigani in the southern part of the Mesa Mani, to Kelepha on its border with the Exo Mani.

Michael Heslop reviews and marshals the evidence available in support of a hitherto overlooked location.

The presentation is illustrated by maps and photos and is accompanied by an exhibition of photographs entitled Patrick Leigh Fermor and the Castles of the Mani: Embellishment or Intrusion?  The exhibition includes, by kind permission of David McClay and the National Library of Scotland, some of the photos of castles taken by Joan.

The lecture is presented by The Hellenic Centre and the Patrick Leigh Fermor Society. RSVP is required.