Walter VI of Brienne

Walter VI of Brienne (c. 1304–1356), called the Duke of Athens, was heir to a duchy he never ruled. When his father Walter V fell at Halmyros in 1311, he inherited Brienne, Lecce and Conversano, but the Catalan Company had overrun the Duchy of Athens, leaving him only Argos and Nauplia.

In 1330 Pope John XXII issued a crusading bull for him. His expedition of 1331–1332 seized Leucas and Vonitsa, but the Catalans refused battle and withdrew behind the walls of Thebes and Athens, and he returned deeper in debt.

In 1342, amid a severe economic crisis, the Florentines made him signore, but a conspiracy ended his harsh rule after ten months. As Constable of France he fell at Poitiers on 19 September 1356; his sister's sons inherited his titles.