Manuel Angelos Doukas Komnenos

-http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/ALBANIA.htm#ManuelAdied1241

6. MANUEL Angelos Doukas Komnenos (-1241). Georgius Akropolites states that "Michaeli…quem Epire imperasse" had "tres…fratres, Constantinus, Theodorus and Manuel"[28]. The Chronicle of Alberic de Trois-Fontaines names "Theodorus Thessalonice rex cecatus…frater eius Manuel" when recording his flight in 1235 to "dominum Gaufridum" [Prince of Achaia][29]. Lord of Pharsale, Larissa and Platámona. Manuel was awarded the title despot by his brother after the latter's coronation as emperor in [1225][30]. After his brother Theodoros was captured by the Bulgarians at Klokotniça in Apr 1230, Manuel succeeded as regent of the kingdom of Thessaloniki, but was controlled by his father-in-law Tsar Ivan Asen[31]. Manuel assumed the title Emperor in Thessaloniki, although his territory was by then confined to the town of Thessaloniki itself[32]. His brother Theodoros deposed Manuel after being released from Bulgaria in 1237, and installed his own son in his place. Manuel escaped to Nikaia to seek help for his restoration. He returned to Greece in 1239, landed in Thessaly and conquered Larissa. He reached a settlement with his brother Theodoros, who accepted him as Lord of Thessaly[33].

m firstly ([1216]%29 EFIMIJA of Serbia, daughter of STEFAN NEMANJA Grand Župan of Serbia & his wife Ana --- (-[1216/25]). This marriage was arranged as part of the settlement of Epirus's war with Serbia[34].

m secondly ([1225], repudiated [1238]%29 MARIJA of Bulgaria, daughter of IVAN ASEN II Tsar of the Bulgarians & his first wife Anna --- (before 1221-). Georgius Akropolites records that "rege Ioanne Asane…filia Maria ex pellice" married "Theodorus Comnenus…fratri suo Manueli"[35]. Ephræmius records the marriage of "Asane Ioanne…Mariam…notham filiam" and "Manueli"[36]. This marriage was arranged as part of the alliance with the Bulgarians agreed by Manuel's brother Theodoros[37]. Georgius Akropolites records that "fratrem Manuelem" sent back "coniugem ad Asanam patrem", dated from the context to after her father's third marriage[38].