Irene of Brunswick

Irene of Brunswick
Byzantine Empress consort
Born	c. 1293
Died	16/17 August 1324
Spouse	Andronikos Palaiologos
House	Welf
Father	Henry I, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg
Mother	Agnes of Meissen
Religion	Eastern Orthodox, prev. Roman Catholic

Irene of Brunswick, born Adelheid, (c. 1293 – 16/17 August 1324) was the first wife of Andronikos 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 were Albert II, Margrave of Meissen and Margaret of Sicily.

In March, 1318, she married Prince Andronikos Palaiologos. He was the eldest son of Michael IX Palaiologos and Rita of Armenia. Her father-in-law was at the time junior co-emperor with his own father, Andronikos II Palaiologos. She joined the Eastern Orthodox Church with her marriage and took the name Irene. They would have only one child:

• A son (June 1320 – February 1322).

She 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.

Ancestry

Family of Irene of Brunswick

16. William of Winchester               8. Otto I, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg                       17. Helena of Denmark               4. Albert I, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg                             18. Albert II, Margrave of Brandenburg               9. Matilda of Brandenburg                       19. Matilda of Lusatia               2. Henry I, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg                                   20. William VI, Marquess of Montferrat               10. Boniface II, Marquess of Montferrat                       21. Berta di Clavesana               5. Adelheid of Montferrat                             22. Amadeus IV, Count of Savoy               11. Margaret of Savoy                       23. Marguerite of Burgundy               1. Irene of Brunswick                                         24. Dietrich I, Margrave of Meissen               12. Henry III, Margrave of Meissen                       25. Jutta of Thuringia               6. Albert II, Margrave of Meissen                             26. Leopold VI, Duke of Austria               13. Constantia of Austria                       27. Theodora Angelina               3. Agnes of Meissen                                   28. Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor               14. Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor                       29. Constance, Queen of Sicily               7. Margaret of Sicily                             30. John, King of England               15. Isabella of England                       31. Isabella of Angoulême

External links

• 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."

Irene of Brunswick House of Welf Cadet branch of the House of Este Born: c. 1293 Died: 1324
Royal titles
Preceded by Rita of Armenia	Byzantine Empress consort 1321–1324	Succeeded by Anna of Savoy