Maria Angelina Doukaina Palaiologina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Maria Angelina of Epirus |
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Thomas and Maria Paleologina
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| Basilissa of Epirus | |
| Reign | 1384-85 |
| Predecessor | Thomas Preljubović |
| Successor | Esau de' Buondelmonti |
| Born | 1350/51 |
| Died | 28 December 1394 Ioannina, Despotate of Epirus |
| Spouse | Thomas Preljubović Esau de' Buondelmonti |
| House | Nemanjić |
| Father | Simeon Uroš |
| Mother | Thomais Orsini |
| Religion | Eastern Orthodox Christian |
Maria Angelina Doukaina Palaiologina (born around 1349 – died December 28, 1394) was an important noblewoman with both Greek and Serbian roots. She became the ruler, or basilissa (which means Empress or Queen), of Epirus from 1384 to 1385. She took over after her husband, Thomas Preljubović, died.
Maria and Thomas were well-known for supporting artists and culture during Thomas's time as ruler of Ioannina (from 1366 to 1384). You can even see Maria in old religious paintings called icons.
Early Life and Marriage
Maria was the daughter of Simeon Uroš, who was the Serbian Emperor of Thessaly. Her father was the half-brother of Emperor Stephen Uroš IV Dušan of Serbia. Maria's mother was Thomais Orsini, and her grandfather was John Orsini, who ruled Epirus.
In 1361, when Maria was about 12 years old, she married Thomas Preljubović. Her father, Simeon Uroš, made Thomas the governor (or despot) of Epirus in Ioannina in 1366.
Becoming a Ruler
Maria was quite popular with the people she ruled. On December 23, 1384, her husband Thomas died. After this, the people of Ioannina chose Maria to be their new ruler. She used the title of basilissa, which is the female version of basileus (Emperor).
To help her with state matters, Maria asked her brother, John Uroš Doukas Palaiologos, for advice. John Uroš had become a monk at the Meteora monastery and was known as Joasaph. He helped her for a short time.
Second Marriage
John Uroš suggested that Maria marry Esau de' Buondelmonti. Esau was one of the noblemen from Western Europe whom Thomas had captured in 1379. Maria married Esau in February 1385. Esau then sought official recognition for his rule from the Byzantine Empire.
Maria lived for another ten years after her second marriage, passing away on December 28, 1394, at the age of 55.
After Esau became the ruler, Maria's brother John Uroš returned to Meteora. He continued his life as a monk and died in 1422.
Historical Accounts
The Chronicle of Ioannina, an old historical record, speaks very highly of Maria. However, another Byzantine historian, Laonikos Chalkokondyles, described her differently. Both of these historical accounts might have some bias. It seems Maria did not have any children who survived from either of her marriages.
See also
In Spanish: María Ángelo Ducas Paleólogo para niños
