The "Chronicle of the Morea" mentions a Kantakouzenos, of unknown first name, who was "kephale" or governor of the Byzantine province in the Peloponnese in 1262. This Kantakouzenos relayed reports of the aggression of William II of Villehardouin, which led to Michael VIII sending an army to the Peloponnese against William. He was renowned as a soldier, and his death at the beginning of the Battle of Makryplagi had a demoralizing effect on the Byzantine side, which led to their defeat. Donald Nicol notes that "it is tempting to identify this unnamed Kantakouzenos of the Peloponnese with the Michael Kantakouzenos" sent against Michael II of Epirus, but he admits that there are difficulties. Nevertheless, this identity is often assumed in earlier works.