Nicholas Orsini was count palatine of Cephalonia from 1317 to 1323 and ruler of Epirus from 1318 to 1323.
Background
Nicholas was the son of Count John I Orsini of Cephalonia by Maria, a daughter of Nikephoros I Komnenos Doukas of Epirus by Anna Palaiologina Kantakouzene. His father governed Cephalonia as a vassal of King Charles II of Naples, and had acquired Leukas as his wife"s dowry.
Career
Nicholas succeeded to the county on his father"s death in 1317, but unlike his predecessors was more interested in intervening in Epirus than in the Latin possessions in southern Greece. To solidify his position Nicholas also married his uncle"s widow, Anna Palaiologina, daughter of Michael IX Palaiologos, and was conferred the title of despotes. Nicholas paid nominal homage to his Angevin overlord, John of Gravina, a son of King Charles II of Naples and Maria of Hungary.
He otherwise oriented himself towards the East.
He publicly adopted the Orthodox faith and the local clergy raised no serious objection to his usurpation. Northern Epirus, however, with Ioannina, refused to recognize Nicholas" rule and accepted Byzantine rule.
Failing in his attempt to secure an alliance with the Republic of Venice, Nicholas was unable to take Ioannina.