Irene Asanina, was the empress consort of John VI Kantakouzenos of the Byzantine Empire.
10 Facts About Irene Asanina
1.
2.
Irene Asanina is known to have participated in military issues in a degree uncommon for a Byzantine empress.
3.
Irene Asanina's paternal grandmother, Irene Palaiologina, was a daughter of Michael VIII Palaiologos and Theodora Palaiologina which makes Asanina a member of the extended Imperial family of her time.
4.
Irene Asanina joined him and was crowned Empress at his side.
5.
Irene Asanina was given the command of the garrison and defended Didymoteicho.
6.
The agreement was sealed with the marriage of their daughter Helena Kantakouzene to John V John VI entered Constantinople and took effective control of the city with Irene serving as senior Empress at his side.
7.
In 1348, Irene Asanina organised the defense of Constantinople against the Genuese.
8.
In 1353, Irene Asanina organised the defense of Constantinople against John Palaiologos.
9.
In 1356 and the following year, Irene Asanina rejected the offer of Ziani, to effect the release of her son Matthew Kantakouzenos, then imprisoned by Emperor John V, and reinstate him as Emperor.
10.
Irene Asanina married John Kantakouzenos, a son of Michael Kantakouzenos and Theodora Angelina Palaiologina.