16. Of CORCYRA, or CORFU. Two archbishops of the name of George occupied the see of Corcyra, one in the twelfth, and one in the thirteenth century. The elder of the two was in favour with the emperor Manuel Comnenus, who gave him the charge of fortifying the town of Corfu, which Manuel had taken from the Normans of Southern Italy. The emperor Frederick Barbarossa, who had hostile intentions against Manuel, endeavoured to induce George to betray the island to him, but in vain. George's answer is preserved by Baronius. George was sent A. D. 1178 by Manuel to attend the third Lateran (eleventh General) Council
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at Rome, and also to meet Frederick Barbarossa ; but he was detained six months by sickness at Brindisi or Otranto, and the council was closed before his recovery. He was therefore recalled by Manuel. Baronius gives a Latin version of several of George's letters. (Baron. Annal. Eccles. ad Annos 1176, 1178, 1179, 1180, 1188; Allatius, ibid. p. 38. &c.; Cave, Hist. Litt. vol. ii. p. 217; Ondin, Comment de Script. Eccles. vol. ii. col. 1536.)