- Adelheid of Brunswick
Adelheid of Brunswick (c. 1293 -
16 August ,1324 –17 August ,1324 ) was the first wife ofAndronikos III Palaiologos , and by marriage Empress of Constantinople, although she died before her husband became sole Emperor.She was a daughter of
Henry I, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and Agnes of Meissen. Her maternal grandparents wereAlbert II, Margrave of Meissen andMargaret of Sicily .In March, 1318, Adelheid married Prince Andronikos Palaiologos. He was the eldest son of
Michael IX Palaiologos andRita of Armenia . Her father-in-law was at the time junior co-emperor with his own fatherAndronikos II Palaiologos . She joined theEastern Orthodox Church with her marriage and took the name Eirene. They would have only one child:*A son (June, 1320 - February, 1322).
Adelheid died in Rhaedestos during the civil war between Andronikos II and Andronikos III from 1321 to 1328. Her husband claimed the throne for its duration. Making her the empress to a rival emperor. Her husband proceeded to marry
Anna of Savoy .External links
* [http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/BRUNSWICK.htm#Adelheiddied1324 Her listing in "Medieval lands" by Charles Cawley.] The project "involves extracting and analysing detailed information from primary sources, including contemporary chronicles, cartularies, necrologies and testaments."
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