Relations between Nicaea and Epiros

Following Theodore Doukas' defeat at the battle of Klokotnica in 1230, Epiros broke away from Thessalonike and set itself up as a separate state, under Michael II, the illegitimate son of Michael I. Vatatzes entered into an alliance with Michael II, which was sealed by the marriage of John's granddaughter, Maria, to Michael's son, Nikephoros, in 1249. Two years later, however, in 1251, Michael dissolved the alliance and set out to conquer Thessalonike. The outcome of the war was not favourable to the sovereign of Epiros, as his generals joined Vatatzes and, in 1252, he was compelled to accept peace in the town of Larissa and to hand over Velessa and Prilapos to John III. In exchange for these concessions, Vatatzes granted the sovereign of Epiros and his son the title of despotes.