The Byzantine Family of Kantakouzenos

The Byzantine family of Kantakouzenos, latinised as Cantacuzenus and modernized as Cantacuzino or Cantacuzene, has had a long history dating back to the 12th century. From its somewhat obscure beginnings, the family rapidly rose to prominence under the reign of the Komnenus emperors. By marrying into the Komnenos, Angelos and Palaiologos families their postions became secured into Byzantine politics, military life and bureaucracy. As was the tradition of the day, members directly related to other Byzantine families through marriage or female descent, would add their other antcedents' names to their own surnames. The line starts with one N Kantakouzenos, a distinguished general in the Byzantine army, who served under Emperor Alexios I Komnenos.

After the death of Andronikos III (1341), there was no clear successor to the imperial throne. His son John, who normally would have succeeded him, was at the time only nine years old. It was therefore necessary that a regent be appointed, since the external enemies (Turks, Serbs and Bulgars) had to be immediately confronted.

The megas domestikos (supreme military commander of the imperial army), John Kantakouzenos, who had been the closest associate of Andronikos III, thought it natural that it should be he who should assume the role of regent. He hastened with the army to confront the enemy, and succeeded in restoring peace. ..... continued

Ioannes VI Kantakouzenos - Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

• A1 -- Manuel Kantakouzenos, lvd:1250;
  • B1 -- Kantakouzenos N., Governor of the Peloponnese, lvd:1286/1294, m. Theodora Palaiologina Angelina;
    • C1 -- Ioannes VI, Emperor of Byzantium, lvd:1320/1354, m. Irene of Bulgaria;  ==>  House of Aseniden
      • D1 -- Matias Asen, Co-Emperor of Byzantium, lvd:1353/1391, m. Eirene Palaiologina;
        • E1 -- Demetrios I, Despot of Morea, élt:1357/1584;
          • F1 -- Eirene Kantakouzenos, basilissa, lvd:1414/1457, m. Djuradj Brankovich;  <==  Brankovich family