Philip I, Latin Emperor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Philip I, Latin Emperor |
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Seal of Philip of Courteney
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| Latin Emperor of Constantinople | |
| Reign | October 1273 - 12 December 1283 |
| Predecessor | Baldwin II |
| Successor | Catherine I |
| Born | 1243 Constantinople |
| Died | 15 December 1283 Viterbo |
| Spouse |
Beatrice of Sicily
(m. 1273; died 1275) |
| Issue | Catherine I, Latin Empress |
| House | Courtenay |
| Father | Baldwin II, Latin Emperor |
| Mother | Marie of Brienne |
Philip of Courtenay was a special kind of emperor. He lived from 1243 to 1283. He held the title of Latin Emperor of Constantinople from 1273 to 1283. However, he didn't actually rule the city of Constantinople. The Byzantine Empire had taken it back in 1261.
So, Philip lived in exile, meaning away from his homeland. His power was mainly over the Crusader States in Greece. Philip was born in Constantinople. His parents were Baldwin II and Marie of Brienne.
Philip's Early Life
When Philip was young, his father faced a tough situation. His father needed money to keep his empire going. To get the money, Philip's father had to promise Philip to Venetian merchants. This was like using Philip as a guarantee for a loan.
Sadly, his father's empire was lost in 1261. It was taken by the Empire of Nicaea.
Marriage and Claim to the Throne
In 1267, an important agreement was made. It was called the Treaty of Viterbo. In this treaty, Philip's father agreed to a marriage for his son. Philip was to marry Beatrice of Sicily. She was the daughter of Charles I of Sicily.
The wedding took place in October 1273 in Foggia. Soon after the marriage, Philip's father, Baldwin, passed away. This meant Philip inherited his father's claims to the throne of Constantinople.
Although Philip was recognized as emperor by the Latin areas in Greece, much of the real power belonged to the kings of Naples and Sicily. Philip died in Viterbo in 1283.
Philip's Family
Philip and Beatrice had one daughter together:
- Catherine (born November 25, 1274 – died October 11, 1307, in Paris). She later married Charles, Count of Valois in 1301.
