Irene Laskarina
Irene Laskarina (died 1240) (Greek: Ειρήνη Λασκαρίνα, Eirēnē Laskarina) was an Empress of Nicaea. She was a daughter of Theodore I Laskaris,[1] emperor of Nicaea and Anna Angelina. Her maternal grandparents were Emperor Alexios III Angelos and Euphrosyne Doukaina Kamaterina. Her sister Maria Laskarina married King Béla IV of Hungary.
| Irene Laskarina | |
|---|---|
| Empress consort of Nicaea | |
| Reign | 1222–1240 |
| Died | 1240 |
| Spouse | Andronikos Palaiologos John III Doukas Vatatzes |
| Issue | Theodore II Vatatzes |
| House | Laskaris |
| Father | Theodore I Laskaris |
| Mother | Anna Angelina |
Irene first married the general Andronikos Palaiologos, and after his death became the wife of Theodore's designated successor, the future John III Doukas Vatatzes[1] in 1212. With John III she had a son, the future Theodore II Laskaris. After the latter's birth, she fell from a horse and was so badly injured that she was unable to have any more children. She retired to a convent, taking the monastic name Eugenia, and died there in summer of 1240, some fourteen years before her husband.[2]
Irene is much praised by historians for her modesty and prudence, and is said to have brought about by her example a considerable improvement in the morals of her nation.[1]
Notes
- . Encyclopædia Britannica. 23 (11th ed.). 1911. p. 766.
- Cometary records revise Eastern Mediterranean chronology around 1240 CE, 2020, arXiv:2012.00976
Irene Laskarina Born: ? Died: 1240 | ||
| Royal titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Marie de Courtenay |
Empress consort of Nicaea 1221–1240 |
Succeeded by Constance II of Hohenstaufen |