Andronikos Palaiologos Kantakouzenos facts for kids
Andronikos Palaiologos Kantakouzenos was an important official in the Byzantine Empire. He held the title of Grand Domestic, which was a very high military position, like being the commander-in-chief of the army. He was the last person to hold this title before the empire ended.
Andronikos was in the city of Constantinople when it was captured by the Ottoman Empire in 1453. This event is known as the Fall of Constantinople. Sadly, five days after the city was taken, he and other top officials were executed by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II.
Andronikos was a trusted advisor to Emperor Constantine XI Palaiologos. He suggested that the Emperor should marry Anna, the daughter of Emperor David of Trebizond. He advised against marrying Mara, the daughter of Đurađ Branković, who was the ruler of Serbia.
His name also appeared on an important agreement between the Byzantine Empire and Venice in April 1448. He signed it because another official, Demetrios Palaiologos Kantakouzenos, was not available at the time.
Andronikos might have been the same Grand Domestic who Emperor John VIII Palaiologos sent to Serbia in 1436. His mission was to convince the Serbians to send representatives to the Council of Ferrara-Florence. This council was a meeting to try and unite the Eastern and Western Christian Churches. A historian named Sylvester Syropoulos said this official was the "brother-in-law of the Despot of Serbia." Andronikos was indeed the brother of Irene Kantakouzene, who was married to Đurađ Branković, the ruler of Serbia. The Serbian church decided not to join the council. This family connection might explain why Andronikos didn't want Emperor Constantine to marry Mara Branković, who was also related to the Serbian ruler.
Family Life
Andronikos Palaiologos Kantakouzenos was the brother of George Palaiologos Kantakouzenos. They might have been the sons of Demetrios I Kantakouzenos or his brother Theodore Kantakouzenos. Andronikos was married and had at least one son. His son married the daughter of Loukas Notaras, who was a very important naval commander called the megas doux. A historian named Doukas wrote that Andronikos's son was with his father-in-law, Loukas Notaras, when they were executed.
See Also
- Byzantine Empire
- Fall of Constantinople
- Grand Domestic
