Usurpation of the throne

he last dynasty of the Byzantine Empire acceeded to the throne by usurping imperial power. The persecution of the nobles by Theodore II Laskaris, especially towards the end of his reign, and the fact that, shortly before his death, his son John IV Laskaris being a minor, he had appointed as regent the hated George Mouzalon, caused great discontent among the ranks of the nobility. This discontent soon manifested itself. Not long after the death of Theodore II, on the instigation of the chief representative of the nobility, Michael Palaiologos, Mouzalon was assassinated by Latin mercenaries. The alliance against Byzantium between Michael II Angelos of Epiros, Manfred, the king of Sicily, and William II Villehardouin of Achaia having created a difficult situation for the Empire, and the Turks exerting increasing pressure on the eastern borders, it became imperative that a regent capable of confronting this dangerous situation be immediately elected.

Michael Palaiologos, who possessed most of the required qualities, was appointed to this office. However, this was not sufficient for him, and in January 1259, having vowed to respect the rights of the legal heir, John IV, he succeeded in having himself crowned emperor. Michael was quick to transgress his vow, however, and shortly after the recovery of Constantinople by the imperial forces on 25 July 1261, he was once again crowned emperor in the church of Hagia Sophia, this time completely pushing aside John IV, whose name was not even mentioned during the ceremony. His usurpation of the throne became definitive following his blinding of the young Laskaris, at Christmas, in 1261, and although the reaction to this deed of his was immediate and troubled him throughout his entire reign, Michael succeeded in establishing the dynasty that was to rule the Empire until its final fall.