The French rule and the reforms of Boucicaut.

As described above, the Republic managed to redeem the island of Chios from the shareholders in 1373 with funds lent by them. Under those newly developed circumstances, the Mahona had no reason to exist. However, it continued to be employed as a term after the abolition of the Old Mahona, describing the relationship of co-participation of the new leaseholders on the basis of individual obligation, termed as the New Mahona of Chios. By the terms of the convention of 1373, the Commune could redeem the island during November 1391 and November 1393 by paying 152,250 lire. However, long before the expiration of that contract in 1385, it was realized that the finances of the Republic were too poor to cover this sum of money. Further arrangements had to be made and new ways of payment had to be devised by the Doge Antoniotto Adorno, an unscrupulous, but active and intelligent person and his counselors that managed to extend the lease till 1416-1418. In the meantime, the political instability in Genoa had led to the replacement of more than ten Doges that were succeeded by a series of governors between 1390 and 1401. The aristocrats in Genoa had asked for political help from the King of France that was keen to offer his support under the condition that the Doge had to be renamed as Governor acting in the name of the King of France.

On 31 October 1401 the new governor Boucicaut or Jean le Maingre had to confront another chaotic state of affairs in the Republic. He took immediately action and put an end to the political and public disorder by military and some times extreme means. He managed to re-establish law and order and his strong measures had an impact on restoring Genoa’s reputation and retaining its overseas possessions. Naturally, Chios one of these possessions was soon attracted by Boucicaut’s attention as part of his scheme of re-organization of the Genoese affairs abroad.

The administration of the island was not up to a high standard and the Mahonesi had exhibited continuously a dishonest attitude evading their financial obligations to the Republic. Boucicaut soon after coming into power realized that because of that maladministration Chios’ security and internal peace were endangered. The moat, which surrounded the fort was full of garbage by the waste that people were repeatedly throwing into it. The fort itself was used for storage of food and arms and the garrison numbered much less members than those mentioned in the agreements. The members of the administration including the Mahonesi were corrupted. The treaty signed with the Greeks back in 1346 was ignored as well as the privileges assured to them. Boucicaut prepared a written account of these events, which was sent to the Mahonesi. Boucicaut forbade the Podesta’ to impose any form of taxation without provision on the Greeks or Latins and the Podesta’ was to be fined 500 florins for any tax illegally imposed in the future. The Podesta’ was also ordered not to neglect his duty of making a tour of the island twice per year, recording the complaints of the inhabitants of the islands that were frequently harassed by Genoese sailors and were subject to the deficiency of the local officials. It was also the Podesta’s responsibility to keep the harbour of Chios dredged.

The memorandum containing these instructions clearly showed that Boucicaut was very well aware of the social and political conditions on the island, which had deteriorated due to the chaotic situation in Genoa. The measures taken by Boucicaut were very unpleasant to the Mahonesi, who recognized the sovereignty of Genoa, but preferred to have under their immediate control the administration and the exploitation of the island. The interference of the Governor in the public affairs of Chios irritated the Mahonesi that organized a revolt which broke out on 21 December 1408. The rebels seized the fort of Chios and declared independent from the legal administration of the island by appointing their own Podesta’ and officials. They organized the defense of the island and asked Venice to provide them with a loan and arms. Boucicaut sent an armed fleet under the command of Corrado Doria that arrived in Chios on 18 June 1409. The Genoese encountered a fierce resistance, but managed to recover the town of Chios by the end of the month in the name of King of France Charles VI. As a punishment, the Mahonesi were obliged to hand over to Doria the majority of their shares without any payment and many eminent Greek inhabitants of the island were sent to exile. The shares were returned to their rightful owners after an appeal to the Genoese government, but this act in addition to the failure of the rebellion had caused an irreversible crisis and hostility between the Mahona and the French driven government of Genoa.

Very soon, the same feelings of intolerance and hatred overwhelmed the citizens of Genoa as well that managed with the aid of Facino Cane and Theodore II Marquis of Montferrat to put an end to the French rule in September 1409. The Mahonesi received with relief the news and sent immediately a request to the new Capitano for abolishing of all of the illegal provisions made by Boucicaut. Their petition was accepted after examination.