Helena Angelina Doukaina

Helena Angelina Doukaina

Queen of Sicily, second wife of Manfred of Sicily
Date of Birth: 01.01.1242
Country: Italy

Content:
  1. Elena of Epirus: Queen of Sicily
  2. Territorial Acquisitions through Marriage
  3. Issue and Legacy

Elena of Epirus: Queen of Sicily

Early Life and Marriage

Elena was born as the daughter of Michael II, the Despot of Epirus. Her marriage to Manfred of Sicily took place sometime between 1257, the year of his first wife Beatrice of Savoy's death, and his coronation as King of Sicily on August 10, 1258.

Territorial Acquisitions through Marriage

Manfred had become Regent of the Kingdom of Sicily in 1254, ruling on behalf of his nephew, Conrad IV. In 1256, the Nicaean Emperor Theodore II Laskaris captured Durrës, which belonged to Epirus. However, Manfred of Sicily reconquered the city and its surrounding areas over the next two years.

Michael II of Epirus still held claims to Durrës, but he was preoccupied with preparations for the siege of Thessalonica. As part of Elena's dowry, she brought the rights to Durrës and all adjacent territories, including the island of Corfu. In the end, Corfu remained the only tangible territorial acquisition for Manfred. The marriage strengthened the alliance between the two states, who shared a common adversary in Nicaea.

Issue and Legacy

Elena and Manfred had five children together. Manfred was killed in the Battle of Benevento on February 26, 1266, fighting against his rival Charles I. Elena was taken prisoner by Charles. She spent five years in confinement at a castle in Nocera Inferiore, where she passed away in 1271.

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