The beginning of the civil war

he long reign of John V Palaiologos was interrupted by a period of rule by John VI Kantakouzenos (1347-54), as well as others by Andronikos IV Palaiologos (1376-79) and John VII Palaiologos (1390). During the first period of the reign of John V (1341-47), the prevailing feature was the dispute over the succession of Andronikos III (+1341) that led to a second civil war, more violent and more destructive than the first.

When Andronikos III died 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, 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. But while Kantakouzenos was conducting military operations in Thrace in July 1341, in Constantinople an opposition group formed by the Patriarch John Kalekas, the queen mother, Anna of Savoy, and the megas doux, Alexios Apokaukos, set itself up as the official regency. Moreover, taking advantage of the absence of Kantakouzenos, they stripped him of his offices and confiscated his property.

Nonetheless, in October 1341, John Kantakouzenos was proclaimed Emperor in Didymoteichon, although he maintained that he was joint Emperor with John V and not his rival. The regency responded by crowning the young John V Emperor on 19 November 1341. Henceforth, civil war was inevitable.