Early Life
Born on either Crete or Samos, he was the adopted son of a Despot of Samos (from whom he acquired his full name, along with a claim for legitimacy). Educated by John Laskarides, a scholar descended from the Imperial family of the Laskarides (see List of Byzantine emperors), Heraclid travelled over much of Europe. He fought as a mercenary in the Holy Roman Empire armies of Charles V, in his war against Henry II of France (the Italian War of 1551).
After their defeat in the Battle of Renty (1554), the Despot passed through Brussels on his way to Wittenberg. He had already adhered to Protestantism, and was an acqaintance of Philipp Melanchthon and other religious leaders.
Read more about this topic: Ioan Iacob Heraclid
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