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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(1338-04-24)
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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