Sanudo, Angelo

Angelo was the son of Marco I Sanudo and his first wife, whose name is unknown. In 1216, Angelo accompanied his father on a campaign against the Epirus despot. They met in Thessaloniki with Emperor Henry I shortly before his death, and Henry recognized Angelo as heir to Marco I. He succeeded his father around 1227, and took a vassal oath to the Latin Emperor Robert I Courtenay.

Angelo was a faithful vassal of the Latin emperors. His strong fleet controlled the waters of the Aegean Sea, and was ready to withstand the growing Nicene Empire.

In 1230, Angelo Sanudo was called up by the Venetian governor of Crete, Giovanni Storlato. In Crete, revolts raged again against the hard power of the Republic. The rebels were supported by the Nicene Emperor John III Duca Vatac, the owner of the most powerful fleet in the eastern Mediterranean. Fearing for his islands, which could become easy prey for Vatats during his absence, Angelo refused a trip to Crete. He did not change his mind even after Storlato began to seduce him with expensive gifts and gold.

In 1235, Angelo sent a squadron to help the Latin Emperor Baldwin II and Regent Jean de Brienne, besieged in Constantinople by the troops of the Bulgarian Tsar Ivan Asen II and the Nicene Emperor John III Duca Vatac. The intervention of the Duke of Naxos confused the plans of the enemies and forced them to sign a two-year peace with the Latin Empire. It seems that Angelo personally participated in the peace talks. To punish Sanudo for supporting the Latins, Vatats captured Amorgos, the easternmost island of the Cyclades archipelago, owned by Angelo's cousin, Jeremiah Gisi. John III then assumed the boastful title of "Lord of the Cyclades."

In 1247, Angelo Sanudo with the troops came to the aid of the Achaean prince Guillaume II Villarduen, besieging the last Greek outpost of Aheje - the fortress of Momembasia, which surrendered only in 1249. In 1248, the Latin emperor Baldwin II transferred vassal rights over Naxos Villardouinouz, and from became the Achaean prince. Angelo Sanudo swore an oath to Guillaume II.

A vassal oath obliged Angelo to participate with Villardouin in the historical battle of Pelagonia in 1259. Then the Latin chivalry suffered a terrible defeat from the Nicene emperor. Prince Guillaume Villardouin and Angelo Sanudo were captured. True, Angelo managed to quickly free herself and return to Naxos. Two years later, Angelo witnessed the capture of Constantinople by Michael VIII Palaeologist and the final death of the Latin Empire. Emperor Baldwin II, who fled from the capital, was hiding in Thebes. Marco's wife and eldest son, Marco, went there to pay his respects to the rulers of Naxos. Balduin personally dedicated Marco to the knights of an already defunct empire.

Angelo was married to a noble French lady, the daughter of Macare de Saint-Montalt. They had three children - Marco, Martino and daughter Maria, who became the wife of Paolo Navigayoso, megaduks Lemnos.