INTRODUCTION

The Palaiologos and Kantakouzenos dynasties were the last two ruling imperial families in the Byzantine empire. The Palaiologos family was first noted in the late 11th century. It is not possible to reconstruct the family accurately before the early 13th century. Two of the earliest known members of the family married into the Dukas and Komnenos families, both these family names being adopted by later descendants in memory of this illustrious ancestry. The early members of the Palaiologos family are set out in Chapter 1.A of this document. The Palaiologos dynasty rose to imperial power in the empire at Nikaia, Mikhael Palaiologos engineering his own coronation as co-emperor in 1259 after the accession of Emperor Ioannes IV Batatzes. After Nikaian troops recaptured Constantinople from the Latin Empire in 1261, Mikhael entered the city and has himself crowned Emperor Mikhael VIII. The family of the Palaiologos emperors is set out in Chapter 1.B of this document.

The Kantakouzenos family also first emerged in the late 11th century. Accurate reconstruction of the family before the early 13th century also presents considerable difficulties, as with the Palaiologos family. Early members of the family also married into the Dukas and Komnenos families, both these family names being adopted by later descendants. The early members of the Kantakouzenos family are set out in Chapter 2.A of this document. The family is first recorded with imperial ambitions in 1199, but it was not until the rise to power of Ioannes Kantakouzenos during the reign of Emperor Andronikos III in the early 14th century that these ambitions became reality. After the death of Andronikos III, Ioannes established himself as regent for the infant Emperor Ioannes V, and in 1341 named himself co-emperor as Ioannes VI. He was forced to abdicate as emperor in 1354, when he turned his attention to historical and theological pursuits. The family of the Kantakouzenos emperors is set out in Chapter 2.B of this document.

After the Ottoman conquest of 1453, surviving members of the Palaiologos and Kantakouzenos dynasties established themselves in the west but their descents became extinct in the male line within a couple of generations, despite the fertile imagination shown by some individuals in later generations who wished to claim Byzantine imperial ancestry. Some of these spurious descents are set out in Gauci & Mallat[1]. They have not been reproduced in this document.

The history of the Byzantine empire during the second half of the 13th century was recorded by the chronicler Georgios Pachymeres[2]. Until the mid-14th century, the story is continued by Nikephoras Gregoras[3] and ex-Emperor Ioannes VI Kantakouzenos[4]. The chronicle of Doukas[5], who died in the 1460s, starts in 1341 but is not detailed until 1389. The chronicle of Georgios Sphrantzes[6] covers the period 1401 to 1477, although a version expanded in the 16th century deals unreliably with the period from 1285 to 1481[7]. Information from these original sources has been extracted and incorporated into the present document. However, these extracts have been made from the 19th century Latin translations of the Greek originals, published in the Corpus Historiæ Byzantinæ series, whose reliability cannot be completely guaranteed. The Latin text has been compared with the Greek only in cases of extreme difficulty of interpretation. The on-line Prosopography of the Byzantine World database (2006.02) produced by King's College, London[8] has also been consulted, especially for seals.

This document has been reviewed in detail by Morris Bierbrier, who has made additions and corrections where indicated ("MB" in the footnotes). He has in particular highlighted the absence of documentary proof to support the reconstructions of the early generations of the Palaiologos and Kantakouzenos families which are found in secondary sources, resulting in a considerable rewriting of these sections. I am very grateful for his helpful collaboration. I am also grateful to Lindsay Brook for having supplied a transcript of the Masarelli Vatican MS[9], which provides information on the later generations of the Kantakouzenos family until about [1531]. This manuscript sets out unique information which is not available in other primary sources, although there are some doubts about the accuracy of the document, as explained below in Chapter 2.B.

Chapter 1. EMPERORS 1259-1453 (PALAIOLOGOS)

A. ORIGINS

1. NIKEPHOROS Palaiologos (-killed in battle Durazzo 18 Oct 1081). Skylitzes names "Nicephorus Palæologus…et philosophorum princeps Constantinus Psellus, atque in primis Cæsar illius qui antea imperavorat cognatus" as military advisers during the Asia Minor campaign of Emperor Romanos Diogenes, dated to [1071/72][10]. General of Nikephoros Botaneiates. The Alexeiad records that "George's [Georgios Palaiologos] father was extremely devoted to Nikephoros"[11]. The Alexeiad records the death of "Nikephoros father of Palaiologos" fighting Robert "Guiscard" Duke of Apulia in Durazzo in 1081[12]. m --- Kurtikaina, daughter of --- Kurtikes & his wife ---. Her family origin is confirmed by Nikephoros Bryennios who states that "Palaeologus Georgius" was "ex sorore nepos Curtices"[13]. Nikephoros Palaiologos & his wife had two children:

a) GEORGIOS Palaiologos . The Alexeiad names Georgios as son of Nikephoros Palaiologos, when recording that his father supported Emperor Nikephoros Botaneiates during the revolt of the Komnenoi in 1081, while his son supported the latter[14]. Imperial general. Dux of Durazzo, he led the defence of the city against the siege of Robert "Guiscard" Duke of Apulia in 1081[15]. The synod of 1094 names Georgios Palaiologos protonobelissimos[16]. m (before 1081) ANNA Doukaina, daughter of ANDRONIKOS Doukas & his wife Maria Troiane [Bulgaria] [Mistress of the Wardrobe] (-[1110/35]). The Alexeiad names Anna as the wife of Georgios Palaiologos, her origin being deduced from the text stating that "the protovestiaria" was his mother-in-law and making it clear that the couple married before the Komnenoi plot against Emperor Nikephoros Botaneiates[17]. Georgios Palaiologos & his wife had three children:

i) NIKEPHOROS Doukas Palaiologos. The primary source which confirms his parentage has not yet been identified. Sébastos 1116. [Dux of Thessaloniki].

ii) ANDRONIKOS Doukas Palaiologos (-[1115/18]). The primary source which confirms his parentage has not yet been identified. Sébastos.

iii) ALEXIOS Doukas Palaiologos ([1095/1100]-after 1143). The primary source which confirms his parentage has not yet been identified. General of Emperor Manuel II 1143.

- see below.

b) NIKOLAOS Palaiologos (-killed in battle Durazzo 18 Oct 1081).

c) ROMANOS Palaiologos. The synod of 1094 names Romanos kuropalates as son of Georgios Palaiologos protonobelissimos[18]. Kuropalates 1094.

ALEXIOS Doukas Palaiologos, son of GEORGIOS Palaiologos & his wife Anna Doukaina ([1095/1100]-after 1143). The primary source which confirms his parentage has not yet been identified. Banished before 1143. General of Emperor Manuel II 1143.

m --- Komnene, daughter of ALEXIOS Komnenos & his wife --- ([1100/05]-).

Alexios Palaiologos & his wife had [three] children:

1. GEORGIOS Komnenodoukas Palaiologos ([1125]-[1167/68]). The primary source which confirms his parentage has not yet been identified. Grand Heteriarch. A seal dated to [1158] names "Georgios Palaiologos, from the root of a Komnenos"[19]. A seal dated to [1175] names "Georgios Palaiologos, who proudly claims birth in the family of the Komneno-Doukai"[20]. m ---. The name of Georgios's wife is not known. Georgios & his wife had --- children:

a) ALEXIOS Komnenos Palaiologos (-[1201/04]). He was awarded the title despot in 1199. A seal dated to [1202] names "Alexios Palaiologos, despotes in rank of Komnenian origin, gambros of the emperor…married to his first daughter the basilissa Eirene"[21]. m firstly (divorced) ---. The name of Alexios's first wife is not known. m secondly (early 1199) as her second husband, EIRENE Komnene Angelina, widow of ANDRONIKOS Kontostephanos mega drongarios, daughter of Emperor ALEXIOS III & his wife Euphrosyne Doukaina Kamaterina (-after 1203). Niketas Choniates names "Contostephanus Andronicus et Isaacius Comenus" as "duo generi" of Emperor Alexios[22]. Niketas Choniates records the second marriage of "imperator…filias…Irenem" and "Alexio Paleologo"[23]. Georgios Akropolites records that "Palaeologo, qui despotæ dignitate…" married "imperatoris Alexii…filiarum illius…prima Irene"[24]. She went into exile in 1203. Alexios Palaiologos & his second wife had one child:

i) THEODORA Palaiologina ([1200]-). Georgios Phrantzes records that "reliquit Alexius Palaeologus unam filiam" by his wife "Alexius Angelus Comnenus imperator…filia…Irene" and that she married "Androniko Palaeologo"[25]. m ([1216]) as his first wife, ANDRONIKOS Doukas Komnenos Palaiologos, son of ALEXIOS Palaiologos & his wife --- ([1190]-Thessaloniki [1248/52]).

b) other children.

2. KONSTANTINOS Palaiologos . 1166.

The precise family relationship between the preceding family and the following individuals and family sub-groups has not been ascertained. However, it is likely that the members of the Palaiologos family, whose alleged descent from the Doukas and Komnenos families is recorded in the primary sources, were descended from Georgios and Alexios Palaiologos, whose wives belonged to the Doukas and Komnenos families respectively.

1. MIKHAEL Doukas Palaiologos (-Bari 1156). Sébastos. Ioannes Kinnamos records that "Michael sebastus, ex Palaeologorum gente" was exiled by Emperor Ioannes II but recalled by Emperor Manuel I[26]. Ioannes Kinnamos records that "Michael sebastus ex Palaiologorum gente" met the crusaders at Sardika [Sofia], and was an envoy of Emperor Manuel I to Louis VII King of France, after the latter crossed the Danube[27]. Sébastos. Ioannes Kinnamos names "Palaiologus" on missions to Italy which, from the context, appears to refer to the same person[28]. He became a monk on his deathbed at Bari.

2. ALEXIOS Doukas Palaiologos ([1140]-before 1203). Megadux. He became a monk as ANTONIOS. m ([1165]) EIRENE Komnene, daughter of IOANNES Kantakouzenos & his wife Maria Komnene. The wife of Alexios Doukas Palaiologos is named Eirene Komnene, and a poem discloses that Eirene Komnene, daughter of Ioannes Kantakouzenos & his wife Maria Komnene daughter of sébastocrator Andronikos married an unnamed Palaiologos. It is assumed that the two women are the same person[29]. She is not mentioned by Nicol[30] or Trapp[31]. She became a nun as EUGENIA. Alexios Palaiologos & his wife had two children:

a) MIKHAEL Palaiologos (-in prison after 1257). The primary source which confirms his parentage has not yet been identified. Megas chartularios. He was imprisoned in [1256] for saying that "a man chosen to the imperial throne was not responsible for his election"[32]. m ---. The name of Mikhael's wife is not known. Mikhael & his wife had one child:

i) ANDRONIKOS Palaiologos (-1279). The primary source which confirms his parentage has not yet been identified. Pachymeres names "Andronicum alium Palaeologum ex Occidente, quem et patruelem scripsit", when recording his marriage[33]. m as her second husband, --- Raulaina, widow of ANDRONIKOS Mouzalon, daughter of ALEXIOS Raul & his wife [--- Batatzaina]. Pachymeres records that "Georgium Muzalonem Atramyttinum…fratrem minorem Andronicum" married "Cloista Raulis filia"[34]. Pachymeres records that "Andronicum alium Palaeologum ex Occidente" married "vidua Andronici Muzalonis…magnum domesticum…protostratorem"[35].

b) ANDRONIKOS Doukas Komnenos Palaiologos ([1190]-Thessaloniki [1248/52]). The primary source which confirms his parentage has not yet been identified. Megas domestikos. Georgios Akropolites names "Andronicum Palaeologum magnum domesticum"[36].

- see below.

ANDRONIKOS Doukas Komnenos Palaiologos, son of ALEXIOS Palaiologos & his wife --- ([1190]-Thessaloniki [1248/52]). The primary source which confirms his parentage has not yet been identified. Megas domestikos. Georgios Akropolites names "Andronicum Palaeologum magnum domesticum"[37]. A seal dated to [1239] names "Andronikos Doukas of the Palaiologos family, derived from the Komnenoi"[38]. Emperor Ioannes III appointed him governor of the European possessions of the empire of Nikaia, based at Thessaloniki, after the capture of the city in Dec 1246[39]. He became a monk as ARSENIOS.

m firstly ([1216]) THEODORA Palaiologina, daughter of ALEXIOS Komnenos Palaiologos, despot & his wife Eirene Komnene Angelina ([1200]-). Pachymeres records that "Andronicum alium Palaeologum ex Occidente" married "vidua Andronici Muzalonis…magnum domesticum…protostratorem"[40]. Georgios Phrantzes records that "reliquit Alexius Palaeologus unam filiam" by his wife "Alexius Angelus Comnenus imperator…filia…Irene" and that she married "Androniko Palaeologo" who was later installed as "magnum domesticum" by Emperor Theodoros Laskaris[41]. The primary source which confirms her name has not yet been identified. She became a nun as THEODOSIA.

m secondly ---. The name of Andronikos's second wife is not known.

Andronikos Palaiologos & his first wife had four children:

1. MARIA Palaiologina ([1216]-). Georgios Akropolites records the marriage of "Tzuruli custodia…Nicephore Tarchaniotæ…postmodum magnus domesticus" and "magni domestici Palaeologi…primum illius filiam Maria"[42]. Ephræmius records that "dux…Nicephorus…Tarchanaiotarum genitus familia…domestici magni" married "Andronici genete Palaeologi…maiorem filiam Mariam"[43]. Her parentage and marriage are indicated by the Codinus Curopalates which records that Emperor Mikhael VIII awarded the title protovestiarius to "Michaelem Tarchaniotam sororis suæ filium"[44]. She became a nun before 1266 as MARTHA. Pachymeres names "Marthæ, sororis Michælis" as mother of "Ioannes Tarchaniota consobrinus imperatoris…trium filiorum natu minimus"[45]. m ([1237]) as his second wife, NIKEPHOROS Tarchanaiotes, son of MIKHAEL Tarchanaiotes & his wife --- Philanthropene. Megas domestikos 1260.

2. EIRENE Komnene Palaiologina ([1218]-early Dec 1284). Ephræmius names "Michael imperator…sorore Eulogia"[46]. The primary source which confirms her marriage has not yet been identified. Opposed to the union of the Orthodox and Catholic churches organised by Emperor Mikhael VIII, she was arrested on her brother's orders in 1277. She became the focus of organised opposition from the Bulgarian court of her daughter[47]. She became a nun as EULOGIA. Pachymeres names "eius amita Eulogia" when referring to Emperor Andronikos II[48]. m IOANNES Komnenos Angelos Kantakouzenos, son of --- Kantakouzenos & his wife --- Angelina (-before 1257). Pinkernes 1242. Dux of Thrakesion [1244/49]. He became a monk as IOANNIKIOS.

3. MIKHAEL Doukas Komnenos Palaiologos ([1224/25]-11 Dec 1282). Georgios Phrantzes names "Michael Comnenus, Constantinus Palaeologus et Iohannes" as the three sons of "Androniko Palaeologo…magnum domesticum"[49]. He was crowned co-Emperor at Nikaia at Nymphaion 1 Jan 1259, and Emperor MIKHAEL VIII in Sep 1261.

- see below.

4. IOANNES Doukas Palaiologos ([1225/30]-1274). Georgios Phrantzes names "Michael Comnenus, Constantinus Palaeologus et Iohannes" as the three sons of "Androniko Palaeologo…magnum domesticum"[50]. Georgios Akropolites records that Emperor Mikhael VIII invested "fratrem germanium suum Ioannem Comnenum" as "magnum domesticum…[et] sebastocratorem"[51]. Ephræmius records that Mikhael Palaiologos invested "Comnenum Ioannem fratrem suum" as "sebastocratorem"[52]. Megas domestikos 1258. Sébastokrator 1259. Despot 1261/63. Under his leadership, Byzantine troops defeated the Sicilian/Achaian/Epirote alliance in the valley of Pelagonia in Autumn 1259, and again defeated Mikhael II Angelos Despot of Epirus in 1264. m ([1259]) --- Tornikaine, daughter of KONSTANTINOS Tornikios & his wife ---. Pachymeres records the marriage of "Constantini Tornicii filiam" and "fratrem…Ioannes" (referring to the future Emperor Mikhael VIII)[53]. Her parentage is confirmed by Ephræmius which records that "sebastocrator…Ioannes cum Constantino socero Tornice" met the emperor at "Lampsaci"[54]. Ioannes Palaiologos & his wife had [two] children:

a) [son/daughter . m ---.]

i) DEMETRIOS Tornikios Palaiologos. He is attested as the grandson of Ioannes Palaiologos, but whether through a son or daughter is not known. Megas drongarios tes bigles 1324/39.

b) ANNA Komnene Doukaina Palaiologina Philanthropene (-[1280]). She became a nun as ANTHUSA. m ([1267]) NIKOLAOS Komnenos Doukas Angelos Bryennios Maliasenos, son of --- (-[1280]). A nobleman in eastern Thessaly, he submitted to Emperor Mikhael VIII in [1267] and married his niece[55]. He became a monk as IOASSAPH.

Andronikos Palaiologos & his second wife had [three] children:

5. KONSTANTINOS Angelos Komnenos Doukas Palaiologos (-1271). Georgios Phrantzes names "Michael Comnenus, Constantinus Palaeologus et Iohannes" as the three sons of "Androniko Palaeologo…magnum domesticum"[56]. Georgios Akropolites records that Emperor Mikhael VIII invested "alterum fratrem Constantinum, ex alia ortum matre" as "Cæsaris" at Paphlagonia[57]. Ephræmius records that Mikhael Palaiologos invested "alium denique fratrem Constantinum" with "cæsarea dignitate"[58]. Appointed cæsar 1259. Sébastokrator 1260. General in the Peloponnesos 1262/64. He became a monk as KALLINIKOS. m ([1259/60]) EIRENE Komnene Laskarina Branaina, daughter of --- Branas [strategos] & his wife --- Kantakouzene (-[1271]). Pachymeres records the marriage of "Branæ filiam" and "alterum…fratrum Constantinum…cæsarem" (referring to the future Emperor Mikhael VIII)[59]. She became a nun as MARIA. Konstantinos Palaiologos & his wife had five children:

a) MIKHAEL Komnenos Branas Palaiologos (after 1261-before 6 Jun 1321). The primary source which confirms his parentage has not yet been identified. A mystic. He became a monk as MAKARIOS.

b) ANDRONIKOS Komnenos Branas Doukas Angelos Palaiologos (-[28 Jan 1310/46]). The primary source which confirms his parentage has not yet been identified. Sébastos. He became a monk as ARSENIOS. m [ANNA] Tarchanaiotissa, daughter of MIKHAEL Glabas Tarchanaiotes, protostrator, strategos of Thrace & his wife Maria Doukaina Komnene Batatzaina. The primary source which confirms her parentage and marriage has not yet been identified.

c) MARIA Komnene Branaina Laskarina Doukaina Palaiologina (-[16 Sep 1328/46]). The primary source which confirms her parentage and marriage has not yet been identified. She became a nun as MARIAMNE. m ISAAKIOS Komnenos Doukas Tornikios, son of --- (-8 Jan ----). He became a monk as IOASSAPH.

d) --- Palaiologina (-after [1306]). Pachymeres records that "Smiltzæ" married "neptem ex fratre suam…ex sebastocratore nata Constantino"[60]. She attempted to maintain power in the name of her infant son in 1298 after the death of her husband. She offered to marry Milutin King of Serbia in return for his support[61]. She was expelled by Chaka the Tatar, who installed himself as Tsar in Bulgaria in 1299, and eventually returned to Constantinople[62]. Pachymeres records that "quæ uxor olim Smiltzæ fuerat" returned to Constantinople, dateable to 1306 from the context[63]. m (1292) as his second wife, SMILEC Tsar of the Bulgarians, son of --- (-1298).

e) [THEODORA] Palaiologina (after 1268-). Ioannes Kantakouzenos records that the mother of "Theodoros Synadenus protostrator" was the daughter of "fratre Michaelis primi imperatoris Palaeologi"[64]. She founded the convent of the bebaias elpidos. She became a nun as THEODULE. m IOANNES Komnenos Doukas Angelos Synadenos, son of --- (-6 Feb before [1310/28]). Megas Stratopedarchos 1276/83. He became a monk as IOAKEIM.

6. daughter . Contemporary sources say that Andronikos had three sons and three daughters[65]. The primary source which confirms her parentage has not yet been identified.

7. [--- Palaiologina . According to Sturdza[66], based on Hopf, the sister of Emperor Mikhael VIII married Benedetto Zaccaria. This seems chronologically improbable considering the approximate birth dates of other children of Andronikos Palaiologos. It is possible either that she was illegitimate or a more distant relation of the emperor's. m (after 1275) BENEDETTO Zaccaria Lord of Phocea, son of FULCONE Zaccaria & his [first/second] wife [Giulietta ---/Beatrice ---] (-1307).]

1. ALEXIOS Komnenodoukas Palaiologos. 1166. Two seals dated to [1175] name "Alexios Palaiologos sebastos"[67]. m ANNA Doukaina, daughter of ---. The primary source which confirms her parentage and marriage has not yet been identified.

2. NIKEPHOROS Palaiologos. Dux of Trebizond 1180. It is highly unlikely that he married Eirene Komnene, illegitimate daughter of Emperor Andronikos I & his mistress Evdokia Komnene. Nicetas Choniates says that he captured the illegitimate children of Andronikos and handed them over to Emperor Manuel I. The alleged marriage first appears in Rüdt-Collenberg who does not cite any sources[68].

3. GEORGIOS Palaiologos (-killed in battle Kritsimos 1199).

4. ANDRONIKOS Palaiologos. A seal dated to [1150] names "Andronikos Palaiologos sebastos, scion of the Komnenodoukas family"[69]. Two seals dated to [1165] name "Andronikos sebastos scion of the Komnenodoukas and Palaiologos families"[70]. A seal dated to [1167] names "Andronikos Doukas Palaiologos"[71]. General in Thessaloniki 1185. A seal dated to [1200] names "Andronikos Palaiologos…from the loins of the Komnenodoukan emperors, the protopansebastohypertatos"[72].

5. ANDRONIKOS Palaiologos (-[1216]). Despot [1212]. m ([1216]) as her first husband, EIRENE Doukaina Komnene Laskarina, daughter of THEODOROS I Emperor at Nikaia & his first wife Anna Angelina (-summer 1239). Georgios Akropolites names "Irene, Maria et Eudocia" as the three daughters of "Theodorum Lascarim imperatorem…ex Anna uxore", stating that "primam Irenem" married "Andronico Palaeologo…despotæ" and after her first husband died "Ioanni Ducæ, Batatzæ cognomine…e Didymtoecho…protovestiarii"[73]. Ephræmius records that "Anna regina coniuge Lascario" had three daughters "Irene et Maria et Eudocia", recording that "maiorem natu Irenem" married "Palaeologorum…Andronico…despotæ" and secondly "Ioanni…Vatatzæ de Ducarum stirpe genitor et oriundo urbe Didymoticho, protovestiarii"[74]. She married secondly ([1216]) Ioannes Doukas Batatzes, who succeeded his father-in-law in 1221 as IOANNES III Emperor at Nikaia.

6. MIKHAEL Palaiologos (-after 1262). Pachymeres records that "mysticum Palaeologum Michaelem…ex genere consobrinus imperatori fuisse diximus" was created "protosebastum" by Emperor Mikhael VIII in [1261/62][75].

Two brothers, parents not known.

1. ANDRONIKOS Palaiologos (-[1278]). Protostrator. Pachymeres records that "protostrator Palaeologus Andronicus, pincerna Raul Manuel, frater huius Issacius, et quartus protostratoris ex fratre nepos Palaeologus Ioannes" opposed Emperor Mikhael VIII's policy of pursuing the reunion of the Orthodox and Roman churches, were imprisoned (in [1278]), in a later passage recording that "protostrator Andronicus" died in prison[76].

2. son . m ---. The source below suggests that Ioannes's mother was a member of the Kantakouzenos family but she has not been identified. One child:

a) IOANNES Komnenos Palaiologos Kantakouzenos (-after [1278/80]). Pachymeres records that "protostrator Palaeologus Andronicus, pincerna Raul Manuel, frater huius Isaacius, et quartus protostratoris ex fratre nepos Palaeologus Ioannes" opposed Emperor Mikhael VIII's policy of pursuing the reunion of the Orthodox and Roman churches, were imprisoned (in [1278]), in a later passage recording that "Ioannem ex Cantacuzena familia" (presumably indicating the same person as "Palaeologus Ioannes") recanted and was released[77].

1. KONSTANTINOS Palaiologos Tornikes. Megas drungarios 1325.

2. KONSTANTINOS Palaiologos . m as her first husband, EVDOKIA Neokaisareitissa, daughter of --- Neokaisareites [protosekretes] & his wife ---. The primary source which confirms her parentage and two marriages has not yet been identified. She married secondly as his second wife, Konstantinos Palaiologos.

3. MIKHAEL Palaiologos (-murdered 1345). Leader of the Zealots who succeeded in expelling the nobles from Thessaloniki in July 1342 and imposing a programme of expropriation, carried out with extreme violence. He was assassinated by the aristocratic party led by Ioannes Apokavkos.

4. ANDREAS Palaiologos. Ioannes Kantakouzenos names "Andreas Palaeologus" at Thessaloniki, in a passage dated to [1346][78]. He took over leadership of the Zealots in Thessaloniki after the assassination of Mikhael Palaiologos, and exacted revenge against Ioannes Apokavkos and his supporters who were thrown from the ramparts of the town. He was eventually forced out of Thessaloniki in 1350 and sought refuge with the Serbs.

5. KONSTANTINOS Palaiologos Doukas Komnenos. m [EVDOKIA Komnene, daughter of ISAAKIOS Komnenos, cæsar, sébastokrator, & his wife ---]. According to Europäische Stammtafeln[79], Evdokia was the daughter of Isaakios Komnenos cæsar, son of Emperor Alexios I, but the basis for this is not known. The primary source which confirms her marriage has not yet been identified.

Two possible siblings, parents not known. It is not known whether they were agnatic or cognatic descendants of the Palaiologos family.

1. [--- Angelos . Ioannes Kantakouzenos names "uno enim magistro avunculo nostro Angelo magno stratopedarcha", "nostro" apparently referring both to "magnus domesticus" who is the speaker in this section of the text and is identified with the author, the future Emperor Ioannes VI Kantakouzenos, and to "Syrgiannes"[80]. The identity of this person has not been ascertained and the precise relationships are not known. m ---.] One possible child:

a) [IOANNES Angelos (-[1348/50]). It is not certain that Ioannes was the son of the above, but it looks likely. Ioannes Kantakouzenos names "magno domestico…Ioanni Angelo eius consobrino", "magnus domesticus" apparently referring to the future Emperor Ioannes VI Kantakouzenos, in a passage dated to [1330][81]. Ioannes Kantakouzenos names "Ioannes Angelus pincerna, magni domestici consobrinus", in a passage dated to [1341][82]. Ioannes Kantakouzenos records that "consobrinum Ioannem Angelum" was appointed to "Thessaliæ præfecturam", in a passage dated to [1342][83]. Kephale of Kastoria, Epirus and Megalovlachia. Ioannes Kantakouzenos records that "Angelo consobrino meo" had died earlier, in a passage dated to [1350][84]. He died of plague. m --- Angelina, daughter of ANDRONIKOS Palaiologos Angelos & his wife --- Kokala. The primary source which confirms her parentage and marriage has not yet been identified.]

2. THEODORA Angelina Palaiologina ([1270]-6 Jan 1342). Ioannes Kantakouzenos names "Theodora Palaeologina…magni…domestici matre", stating that she was "cognata" of Emperor Andronikos II[85]. Another clue to her parentage is provided by Ioannes Kantakouzenos who names "uno enim magistro avunculo nostro Angelo magno stratopedarcha", "nostro" apparently referring both to "magnus domesticus" who is the speaker in this section of the text and is identified with the author, the future Emperor Ioannes VI Kantakouzenos, and to "Syrgiannes"[86]. She may have been the granddaughter of a sister of Emperor Mikhael VIII[87]. Ioannes Kantakouzenos records that "Archontes" imprisoned "matrem magni domestici cum nepote Andronico", in a passage dated to [1341][88]. m --- Kantakouzenos, son of --- ([1264/65]-1294).

1. THOMAS Palaiologos (-after 1342). Ioannes Kantakouzenos names "Andronicum Palaeologum generum et Thomam Palaeologum duces" in Thrace, in a passage dated to 1342[89].

2. DEMETRIOS Palaiologos . According to Europäische Stammtafeln[90], he was the possible son of Andronikos Palaiologos, a descendant in the male line of Mikhael [II] Komnenos Doukas Angelos Lord of Epirus, but the basis for this speculation is not known. Megas domestikos 1357/75. m ---. Demetrios Palaiologos & his wife had two children:

a) IOANNES Palaiologos . Primikerios tes Aules 1375. Megas primikerios.

b) EVDOKIA Kantakouzene .

3. MANUEL Palaiologos (-after 1451). Georgios Phrantzes records that "Manuelem Palaeologum, Cantacuzenæ protostratorissæ consobrinum" was involved in negotiations for the potential marriage of Emperor Konstantinos XI and "despotæ Serviæ filiam" in 1451[91]. same person as…? MANUEL Palaiologos . m ---. The name of Manuel's wife is not known. Manuel & his wife had one child:

a) NIKOLAOS Palaiologos (-after 1463). He received Monemvasia in 1463. m EUPHROSYNE Kantakouzene, daughter of GEORGIOS Palaiologos Kantakouzenos "Sachatai" & his wife Maria Razi [Ralli]. The Masarelli Vatican names (in order) Euphrosyne, Maria, Philippa, Eirene, Cherana, Theodora, Philippa and Zoia as the eight surviving daughters of Georgios & his wife, stating that Euphrosyne married Nikolaos son of Manuel Palaiologos[92]. m Nikolaos & his wife had two children:

i) GEORGIOS Palaiologos (-Rome ----). The Masarelli Vatican names (in order) Georgios and Manuel as the two sons of Nikolaos Palaiologos & his wife, adding that Georgios died in Rome[93].

ii) MANUEL Palaiologos . The Masarelli Vatican names (in order) Georgios and Manuel as the two sons of Nikolaos Palaiologos & his wife, adding that Georgios died in Rome[94]. m --- Bocchalina, daughter of ---. The Masarelli Vatican names her as the wife of Manuel, son of Nikolaos Palaiologos[95]. Manuel & his wife had two children:

(a) daughter (-young). The Masarelli Vatican records that Manuel Palaiologos & his wife had two daughters, of whom the older died young[96].

(b) daughter . The Masarelli Vatican records that Manuel Palaiologos & his wife had two daughters, of whom the younger married Contareni of Venice[97]. m --- Contareni of Venice.

4. NIKEPHOROS Palaiologos (-after 1453). m --- Kantakouzene, daughter of DEMETRIOS Palaiologos Kantakouzenos & his wife ---. Her parentage and marriage is confirmed by Georgios Phrantzes who records the part played by "Demetrium Cantacuzenum et Nicephorum Palaeologum generum eius" in defending Constantinople from Sultan Mohammed in 1453[98].

B. EMPERORS 1259-1453 (PALAIOLOGOS)

MIKHAEL VIII 1261-1282

MIKHAEL Doukas Komnenos Palaiologos, son of ANDRONIKOS Doukas Komnenos Palaiologos, megas domestikos & his wife Theodora Palaiologina ([1224/25]-11 Dec 1282, bur outside Constantinople, later transferred to Selymbria[99]). Georgios Phrantzes names "Michael Comnenus, Constantinus Palaeologus et Iohannes" as the three sons of "Androniko Palaeologo…magnum domesticum"[100]. Georgios Akropolites names "Michaelis Comneni…magni domestici primi filii" (referring to "magnum domesticum Comnenum Andronicum Palaeologum"), recording that Emperor Ioannes appointed him as governor of "Melenicum Serras", in Dec [1246] from the context of the passage[101]. Ioannes III Emperor at Nikaia appointed him strategos of Bithynia and Mesothynia to the north of Nikaia[102]. Megas kontostabulos 1252/53. He fled to the Seljuk Turks in 1256, presumably in fear of his personal safety at the Nikaian court, and remained in exile until 1258 when Emperor Theodoros II reappointed him megas konstabulos after giving assurances concerning his position[103]. Within a few days of the accession of Ioannes IV Batatzes Emperor at Nikaia, Mikhael Palaiologos overthrew the regency of Giorgios Muzalon. Megas dux 1258. Despot 13 Nov 1258. He engineered his own coronation as co-emperor at Nymphaion 1 Jan 1259, Emperor Ioannes being persuaded to refuse his own coronation[104]. An alliance between Manfred King of Sicily, Mikhael II Angelos Despot of Epirus and Guillaume de Villehardouin Prince of Achaia threatened the revival of Nikaia. Led by his brother sébastokrator Ioannes Palaiologos, Mikhael's troops defeated the alliance in the valley of Pelagonia in Autumn 1259. He tackled Venice by forming a military alliance with Genoa under the treaty of Nymphaion in 1261, granting the Genoese commercial privileges similar to those already held by Venice. Constantinople was finally captured by Alexios Strategopulos 25 Jul 1261, in an unplanned attack after he found that the Frankish garrison was absent[105]. Co-emperor Mikhael rushed to the city 15 Aug 1261, leaving Emperor Ioannes IV in Anatolia, and had himself crowned Emperor MIKHAEL VIII in Sep 1261. He deposed and imprisoned Ioannes IV 25 Dec 1261. He consolidated his position by making territorial gains against Bulgaria, and in 1264 by forcing peace on despot Mikhael II Angelos Lord of Epirus who swore allegiance to him. After the Venetians defeated a Genoese fleet in the gulf of Navplion in Spring 1263, Emperor Mikhael broke his alliance with the latter and negotiated a new treaty with the former, signed 18 Jun 1265. He renewed his alliance with Genoa in 1266, this dual alliance strengthening Byzantine's foreign policy position. Charles I King of Sicily, with his vision of conquering Byzantium, allied himself with Guillaume de Villehardouin Prince of Achaia 24 May 1267 and agreed a future partition of the Byzantine empire with Baudouin II ex-Emperor of Constantinople at Viterbo 27 May 1267, although King Charles's attention was temporarily diverted away from Byzantium when he joined his brother's crusade against Tunis in 1270. Emperor Mikhael allied himself with Hungary to counter-balance the threat from Serbia, sealed by the marriage of his heir with the king of Hungary's daughter. Emperor Mikhael agreed to the union of the Orthodox and Catholic churches at the Council of Lyon 6 Jul 1274, in return for the Pope instructing Charles King of Sicily not to attack Byzantium. The union triggered a schism within the Orthodox church. In the face of continued opposition, by 1277 Emperor Mikhael had resorted to persecution to enforce the union, including the arrest of his sister Eirene[106]. Pope Martin IV, elected in Feb 1281 with King Charles's support, excommunicated Emperor Mikhael for not imposing union quickly enough and encouraged Charles to invade Byzantium and depose the emperor. The threatened invasion was postponed as King Charles's attention was diverted by the rebellion in Sicily 31 Mar 1282, and the subsequent attack on the island by Pedro IV King of Aragon. On his death, Emperor Mikhael was refused the last rites of the church and buried on a mountainside with no church service[107].

m (1253) THEODORA Doukaina Komnene Palaiologina Batatzaina, daughter of IOANNES Batatzes & his wife Evdokia Angelina ([1240]-4 Mar 1303). Georgios Akropolites records the marriage between "fratris sui sebastocratoris Isaacii Ducæ neptem Theodoram" and "Michaeli Comneno" (referring to Mikhael Palaeologus, the future Emperor Mikhael VIII), commenting that "pater illius, sebastocratoris filius Ioannes, in adolescentia fato functus", dated to the early 1250s from the context of the passage[108]. Ephræmius records the marriage of "Ioannes imperator…Theodoram neptem germani sui…sebastocratoris…Isaacii" and "Michaeli stirpe Palaeologo"[109]. Pachymeres names "Augusta Theodora" as mother of Emperor Andronikos II[110]. She was crowned empress with her husband in Constantinople Sep 1261.

Mistress (1) ---. The name of Mikhael's first mistress is not known.

Mistress (2) ([1240/50]) --- Diplobatatzaina, daughter of --- Batatzes & his wife --- Batatzaina. Pachymeres records that "Diplobatatzina" was the mother of "filiam…notham…Mariam" of Emperor Mikhael VIII[111].

Emperor Mikhael VIII & his wife had seven children:

1. [MANUEL] Palaiologos ([1254/57]-before 1259). Pachymeres names "primum Manuelem fato præreptum" as the son of Emperor Mikhael VIII[112]. There must be some doubt about the name of this son, as the fact that he was named after his father does not follow the usual naming conventions among Byzantine nobility.

2. EIRENE Palaiologina ([1255/58]-before 1328). Georgios Phrantzes names "Irenen, Eudociam et Annam" as the three daughters of Emperor Mikhael VIII[113]. Pachymeres records the betrothal of "Mytzæ primogenitor Ioanni" and "primogenita…imperatoris filia…Irenæ", dated from the context to the early part of her father's reign, a later passage recording the couple's marriage[114]. Pachymeres names "propriam germanam Irenen, Asanis viduam" when recording that Emperor Andronikos II sent her by fast ship to "Cyzicum"[115]. Her marriage was arranged as part of the 1263 agreement between Ivan's father and Emperor Mikhael VIII under which the former surrendered Mesembria to Byzantium[116]. m (Betrothed 1263, 1278) IVAN ASEN III Mytzes Tsar of the Bulgarians, son of IVAN Mico [Mytzes] Tsar of the Bulgarians & Marija Asanina of Bulgaria (-before 1302). He was installed in 1278 as Tsar of the Bulgarians by Emperor Michael VIII, concerned with the deteriorating stability in Bulgaria, and recognised as Tsar in Feb 1279 after he captured Trnovo[117]. He was expelled in 1280 by Ivajlo, and fled to the Tatars and later to Constantinople. He was awarded the title despot in Byzantium in 1284.

3. ANDRONIKOS Palaiologos (25 Mar 1259-12/13 Feb 1332). Georgios Phrantzes names "Andronicum imperatorum et Constantinum Porphyrogenitum" as the two sons of Emperor Mikhael VIII[118]. Pachymeres records that "filius eius Andronicus" succeeded on the death of Emperor Mikhael[119]. He was proclaimed heir to the throne in 1262, crowned co-emperor in Nov 1272. He succeeded his father in 1282 as Emperor ANDRONIKOS II.

- see below.

4. ANNA Komnene Palaiologina ([1260]-[1299/1300]). Georgios Phrantzes names "Irenen, Eudociam et Annam" as the three daughters of Emperor Mikhael VIII[120]. Pachymeres records that Emperor Mikhael VIII proposed the betrothal of "[filiam] secundam Annam" and "cralem Serbiæ Stephanum Uresim, secundo eius filio Melotino", dated from the context to the early part of his reign[121]. Pachymeres records that "Michaelis despotæ filius natu minimus Demetrius" married "imperatoris…filia…Anna"[122]. Ioannes Kantakouzenos records that "Michaeli duci" married "Annam sororem Andronici senioris"[123]. Her father arranged her marriage as part of the alliance between him and her future husband against Charles I King of Sicily. Betrothed ([1267/68]) to STEFAN UROŠ MILUTIN, son of STEFAN UROŠ I "Veliki/the Great" or "Arapavi/the Holy" King of Serbia & his wife Jelena --- ([1253]-Castle Nerodimlja, Amselfeld 29 Oct 1321, bur Sardika [Sofija]). m ([Nov 1278]) as his first wife, MIKHAEL [Demetrios] Doukas Komnenos Angelos 'Kutrules', son of MIKHAEL [Konstantinos] Komnenos Doukas Angelos, despot, Lord of Epirus and Thessaly & his wife Theodora Doukaina Petraliphaina Basilissa (-1304 or after). He was awarded the title despot in 1278 by Emperor Mikhael VIII who hoped to use him against his brother Nikephoros, who was allied with Charles King of Sicily, and married him to his daughter[124]. He went missing in 1304.

5. KONSTANTINOS Doukas Palaiologos porphyrogennetos (after 1261-5 Mar 1306). Pachymeres names "tertium…natum in purpura Constantinum" as the son of Emperor Mikhael VIII, recording his later disgrace[125]. Ioannes Kantakouzenos records that "Michaeli primo Romanorum imperatori Palaeologo" had "filii nati tres Andronicus…Constantinus Porphyrogenitus et Theodorus"[126]. Georgios Phrantzes names "Andronicum imperatorum et Constantinum Porphyrogenitum" as the two sons of Emperor Mikhael VIII[127]. He inherited 60,000 hyperpyra from his father and boasted of his intention to amass a fortune of nearly double that amount before he died[128]. As part of his brother's campaign against the Turks in 1290, Konstantinos led an army which based itself at Nymphaion where it was alleged that he plotted against the emperor. He was tried, condemned and taken back to Constantinople as a prisoner. Pachymeres records the death of "Porphyrogenitum" in prison "quinta dies mensis eiusdem" (which appears from the context to refer to the month of March), as a monk named ATHANASIOS[129]. m ([1291]) EIRENE Raulaina, daughter of IOANNES Komnenos Doukas Angelos Petraliphas Raul & his wife Theodora Palaiologina Komnene Kantakouzene. Pachymeres records the marriage of "Porphyrogenito" to "[uxorem] ex Raulis stirpe"[130]. In a later passage, Pachymeres clarifies her parentage when he records that the "avia paterna" of "coniux Porphyrogeniti" was "Strategopulinæ neptis ex fratre"[131]. Her estimated birth date range is consistent with the estimated date of her marriage, and also consistent with the birth date ranges assigned to her father and paternal grandmother in order to be in line with the various relationships described in the later passage in Pachymeres quoted above. Konstantinos Palaiologos & his wife had one child:

a) IOANNES Komnenos Palaiologos ([1288/89]-Skopje 1326). Ioannes Kantakouzenos records that "Porphyrogenitus" had "Ioannem…unigenam"[132]. Pachymeres records that Emperor Andronikos II installed "proprii germani Constantini Porphyrogeniti filium" as panhypersébastos, dateable to [1305/06] from the context[133]. Governor of Thessaloniki: Ioannes Kantakouzenos records that "Ioannem" was "tertium Thessalonicæ…præfecturam"[134]. He rebelled against his uncle and declared the secession of his province from the empire in [1325/26], supported by the commanders of two Macedonian fortresses on the Serbian border. He gained support from Stefan Uroš III "Dečanski" King of Serbia, to whom he married his daughter, but the rebellion ended with his death soon after[135]. m (soon after 1305/06) EIRENE Metochitissa, daughter of THEODOROS Metochites, megas logothetis & his wife ---. Ioannes Kantakouzenos records the marriage of "Ioannem" and "Metochites magnus logotheta Irenen filiam"[136]. Ioannes Palaiologos & his wife had [two] children:

i) MARIA Palaiologina ([1313/14]-7 Apr 1355). Ioannes Kantakouzenos records that "Ioannem…Mariam filiam" married "Stephano Cralæ Triballorum principi"[137]. Her marriage was arranged by her father to obtain Serbian support for his rebellion in Thessaloniki[138]. She became a nun as MARTHA. m firstly ([1 Nov 1325/31 Aug 1326]) as his second wife, STEFAN UROŠ III "Dečanski" King of Serbia, illegitimate son of STEFAN UROŠ II MILUTIN King of Serbia & his mistress --- ([1276]-murdered 11 Nov 1331, bur Visoki Dečani monastery). m secondly ([1336/37]) as his second wife, JOVAN Oliver, despot in the area of Veles, son of ---.

6. THEODOROS Doukas Angelos Komnenos Palaiologos (-after 1310). Ioannes Kantakouzenos records that "Michaeli primo Romanorum imperatori Palaeologo" had "filii nati tres Andronicus…Constantinus Porphyrogenitus et Theodorus"