Theodore I of Montferrat
| Theodore I, Marquess of Montferrat | |
|---|---|
| Marquess of Montferrat | |
| Reign | 1306 - 1338 |
| Predecessor | John I Aleramici |
| Successor | John II Palaiologos |
| Spouse(s) | Argentina Spinola |
| Issue | |
| Noble family | Palaiologos |
| Father | Andronikos II Palaiologos |
| Mother | Irene of Montferrat |
| Born |
c. 1290 Constantinople |
| Died | 24 April 1338 Trino |
Theodore I Palaiologos or Palaeologus (full name:Theodore Komnenos Doukas Angelos Palaiologos) (c. 1290 – 24 April 1338) was Marquess of Montferrat from 1306 until his death.
He was a son of Emperor Andronikos II Palaiologos and Irene of Montferrat. When his uncle John I died in 1305, the male line of the Aleramici Marquesses of Montferrat became extinct. The March of Montferrat was passed to Irene's children. Patriarch Athanasius I of Constantinople blocked the candidacy of the elder son John, so Theodore went to Italy instead.
Theodore sailed to Genoa in 1306. In 1307 he married Argentina Spinola, daughter of Genoese magnate Opicino Spinola, Capitani del Popolo (co-ruler) of the Republic of Genoa. Spinola used his wealth to back Theodore's claim to Montferrat.
Theodore was opposed by Manfred IV of Saluzzo. Manfred was a cadet of the House of Savoy, and several marquesses of Montferrat had Savoyard wives. King Charles II of Naples also claimed parts of the March. He gradually overcame these foes and secured the whole March. In 1310 he received the imperial investiture from Emperor Henry VII.
Theodore and Argentina had two children, John ΙΙ (1313–1372) and Yolande (1318–1342), who married Aimone, Count of Savoy.
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