Duke of Karkisa and Aeolis

Duke of Mysia is a title in the Peerage of Mesogeian nobility. The present title was originally granted to Parsakoutenos family in 1135 by Emperor Manuel II. The title later passed to the Melissenos family who married the only daughter of the last Duke of Mysia. The title refers to the theme of Mysia in Anatolia. The holder of the title is afforded the rank of a Patrician in the first class, allowing them a hereditary seat in the Senate.

History

The title of Duke of Mysia was originally granted to Theophilus Parsakoutenos by Emperor Manuel II in 1135. Sometime later on the Parsakoutenos line died out in the male line. The only heiress married into the wealthy Melissenos family and the title was passed on to that storied family.

With the advent of the Franks in the 11th century the process by which the empire was westernized and modernized began. The southern and northern Mesogeian empires (Anatolia and Romaica respectively) turned west. Between the 11th century and 15th century thousands of Franks, Latins, and Normans settled in Mesogeia at the request of several Mesogeian Emperors seeking their aide against the encroachment of their lands by barbaric tribes to the north as well as Muslims and followers of the ancient religion residing to the south and east of the empire.

While the Parsakoutenos and Melissenos families were native to Mesogeia they adopted many of the practices of the latin emigrants who arrived between the 11th and 15th centuries. With the arrival of several French speaking peoples during that time, the use of the noble particle 'de' emerged. The Melissenos family along with their counterparts adopted its use. Presently the family of the Duke of Mysia bears the surname de la Melissenos de Parsakoute or less commonly as de la Melissenos de Parsakoutenos. For the sake of space in correspondence the family surname is usually hyphenated as Melissenos-Parsakoutenos.