Despotate of Epirus: Encyclopedia II - Despotate of Epirus - Nicaean and Byzantine suzerainty

Despotate of Epirus - Nicaean and Byzantine suzerainty

Epirus never regained its power after this defeat. Michael II lost Thessalonica to Nicaea in 1246 and then allied with the Latins against them. In 1248 John Vatatzes forced Michael to recognize him as emperor, and officially recognized him in turn as despot of Epirus. Vatatzes' granddaughter Maria married Michael's son Nicephorus. Also in 1248 Michael's daughter Anna married William II, Prince of Achaea, and Michael decided to honour this alliance over his obligations to Vatatzes. He was defeated in the ensuing conflict, and the old despot Theodore was again captured, this time dying in custody.

Theodore II Lascaris allied with Michael and their children, betrothed by John years before, finally married in 1256, with Theodore receiving Dyrrhachium in return. Michael did not accept this transfer of land and in 1257 revolted, defeating a Nicaean army led by Georgius Acropolita. As Michael marched on Thessalonica, he was attacked by Manfred of Sicily, who captured Albania and Corcyra. However, Michael immediately allied with him by marrying his daughter Helena to him. After Theodore II died, Michael, Manuel, and William II fought the new Nicaean emperor Michael VIII Palaeologus. The alliance was very unstable and in 1259 William was captured at the disastrous Battle of Pelagonia. Michael VIII went on to capture Michael II's capital of Arta, leaving Epirus with only the ports of Ioannina and Vonitsa. Arta was recovered by 1260 while Michael VIII was occupied against Constantinople.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Nicaean and Byzantine suzerainty", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki