Theodora Doukaina Vatatzaina - Marriage

Marriage

Acropolites mentions that the father of Theodora died in young manhood. Her mother died in the early 1250s. Leaving Theodora to be raised by her great-uncle John III who was said to have "loved her like a daughter".

In 1253, John III arranged the marriage of Theodora to Michael Palaiologos. Her husband was a great-grandson of Alexios III Angelos and Euphrosyne Doukaina Kamaterina. He was steadily rising in distinction due to a combination of familial connections and personal abilities.

John III died on 3 November 1254. He was succeeded by his only son Theodore II Laskaris. Theodore was a first cousin to John Doukas Vatatzes, father of Theodora. Thus Theodora and Michael remained closely related to the new emperor. However Theodore's administration relied on bureaucrats from the middle classes instead of members of the great aristocratic families.

This caused considerable opposition by the nobility to the emperor and his chief minister, megas domestikos George Mouzalon. Michael became one of the leaders of the aristocratic faction. In 1256, Michael was accused of conspiring with representatives of Kaykaus II, Sultan of Rûm. He went into exile or self-exile to the court of Kaykaus in Iconium. Whether Theodora followed her husband to Iconium or remained with her cousin in Nicaea is uncertain.

In 1258, Theodore recalled Michael from exile, giving assurances for his safety and position. Michael was restored to his former position of megas kontostaulos, chief of the Frankish mercenaries. Theodore suffered from epilepsy and died during a seizure on 18 August 1258.

Theodore was succeeded by his only son John IV Laskaris, second cousin of Theodora. His regent and guardian was originally George Mouzalon. Arsenius Autoreianus, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople in exile was associate guardian. The regency of Mouzalon proved short-lived and ended with his assassination. Michael replaced him as regent and guardian. Arsenius remained associate guardian in name but took refuge in the monastery of Paschasius and had no contact with his charge. Theodora was married to the de facto ruler of the Empire.