Grand Catalan Company
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The Grand Catalan Company was a Spanish mercenary army composed of approximately 6,500 almogávares (mercenaries). This formidable force was led by Roger de Flor, a Sicilian-born adventurer and former Knight Templar.1
The company entered the service of the Byzantine emperor Andronicus II in 1303, fighting against the Turks with some success. However, their predatory actions and Roger de Flor's ambition to establish his own principality led to his assassination in 1305. In retaliation, the mercenaries ravaged Thrace, the region surrounding the Byzantine capital. The company later transferred its activities to the Byzantine Empire and, by 1311, had gained control over the duchy of Athens.12
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Byzantine EmpireAndronicus II…professional army of mercenaries, the Grand Catalan Company. The Catalans made one successful counterattack against the Turks in Anatolia. But they were unruly and unpopular, and when their leader was murdered they turned against their employers. For some years they used the Gallipoli Peninsula as a base from which to…
Read More…professional army of mercenaries, the Grand Catalan Company. The Catalans made one successful counterattack against the Turks in Anatolia. But they were unruly and unpopular, and when their leader was murdered they turned against their employers. For some years they used the Gallipoli Peninsula as a base from which to…
Read More
GreeceThessaly and surrounding regions…in 1309 of the Catalan Grand Company. That band of Spanish mercenaries, who originally had been hired by Andronicus II to fight the Seljuqs in Anatolia turned against imperial authority and established themselves in the Gallipoli peninsula. From there they moved into Greece through Thrace and Macedonia, which they plundered,…
Read More…in 1309 of the Catalan Grand Company. That band of Spanish mercenaries, who originally had been hired by Andronicus II to fight the Seljuqs in Anatolia turned against imperial authority and established themselves in the Gallipoli peninsula. From there they moved into Greece through Thrace and Macedonia, which they plundered,…
Read More
SpainAragon, Catalonia, and Valencia, 1276–1479The Catalan Company, a mercenary troop idled by the end of the Sicilian wars, transferred its activities to the Byzantine Empire and in 1311 gained dominion over the duchy of Athens. Although neither Sicily nor Athens came under the direct rule of the king of Aragon,…
Read MoreThe Catalan Company, a mercenary troop idled by the end of the Sicilian wars, transferred its activities to the Byzantine Empire and in 1311 gained dominion over the duchy of Athens. Although neither Sicily nor Athens came under the direct rule of the king of Aragon,…
Read More