James of Baux 1354 – 1383

Biography

James of Baux lived a brief but consequential life during the medieval period, born on January 1, 1354, and passing away on July 15, 1383, at just twenty-nine years of age. Despite his relatively short time, he held positions of considerable prominence and responsibility. As Latin Emperor of Constantinople and Prince of Achaea, James wielded significant influence over important territories during a pivotal era in Mediterranean history.

His life spanned a period of great transition in the Eastern Mediterranean, when various powers competed for control of strategic lands and trade routes. The titles he held reflected the complex political landscape of the time, where noble families from across Europe held dominion over distant realms. Though details of his personal life and specific accomplishments remain sparse in historical records, his dual roles as emperor and prince underscore his standing among the nobility of his era.

James’s final years were spent in Taranto, in the southern Italian region of Puglia, where he died and was subsequently laid to rest. His burial in this port city, an important center of commerce and culture, reflects both the geographic reach of his family’s influence and the connections binding the Mediterranean world together during the Late Middle Ages.