Despot Michael II Komnenos Doukas
The 13th-century ruler of Epirus, husband of Saint Theodora.
- Ruled
- About 1230–1266/68
- Wife
- Theodora Petraliphaina (Saint Theodora of Arta)
- Battle
- Pelagonia, 1259
- Successor
- Nikephoros I
Michael II was the illegitimate son of Michael I, founder of the Epirote state, and was born probably around 1206. After his father's murder in 1215 he went into exile and returned to Epirus after his uncle Theodore's defeat at Klokotnitsa. He received the title of despot and soon became independent, seizing Corfu by 1236.
Family and politics
His wife was Theodora Petraliphaina, Saint Theodora of Arta, and the marriage secured the support of the local notables. Their children included Nikephoros I, successor in Epirus, and Helena, who married Manfred of Sicily. In 1249 he received the title of despotes from John III Vatatzes and in 1259, at Pelagonia, his alliance fell apart and he fled to the Ionian Islands. In 1264 he was forced to accept the suzerainty of Michael VIII Palaiologos. He died around 1268 and his domains were split between Nikephoros (Epirus) and John (Thessaly).
