Nicaean–Latin Armistice of 1260
Encyclopedia
The Nicaean–Latin Armistice of 1260 was an armistice
signed in August of 1260 between the Nicaean emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos
(r. 1259–1261) and the Latin
emperor Baldwin II
. Following the short lived Siege of Constantinople
between January and April of 1260, both parties signed the armistice, agreeing to end all hostilities for the duration of one year. However, shortly before the expiration of the armistice, Alexios Strategopoulos
discovered that the Walls of Constantinople
were completely unmanned and managed to enter the city under the cover of darkness, retaking it from the Latins on July 25, 1261 thus ending the fifty-seven year Latin rule of the city.
Armistice
An armistice is a situation in a war where the warring parties agree to stop fighting. It is not necessarily the end of a war, but may be just a cessation of hostilities while an attempt is made to negotiate a lasting peace...
signed in August of 1260 between the Nicaean emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos
Michael VIII Palaiologos
Michael VIII Palaiologos or Palaeologus reigned as Byzantine Emperor 1259–1282. Michael VIII was the founder of the Palaiologan dynasty that would rule the Byzantine Empire until the Fall of Constantinople in 1453...
(r. 1259–1261) and the Latin
Latin Empire
The Latin Empire or Latin Empire of Constantinople is the name given by historians to the feudal Crusader state founded by the leaders of the Fourth Crusade on lands captured from the Byzantine Empire. It was established after the capture of Constantinople in 1204 and lasted until 1261...
emperor Baldwin II
Baldwin II of Constantinople
Baldwin II of Courtenay was the last emperor of the Latin Empire of Constantinople.He was a younger son of Yolanda of Flanders, sister of the first two emperors, Baldwin I and Henry of Flanders...
. Following the short lived Siege of Constantinople
Siege of Constantinople (1260)
The Siege of Constantinople in 1260 was the failed attempt by the Nicaean Empire, the major remnant of the fractured Byzantine Empire, to retake Constantinople from the Latin Empire and re-establish the City as the political, cultural and spiritual capital of a revived Byzantine...
between January and April of 1260, both parties signed the armistice, agreeing to end all hostilities for the duration of one year. However, shortly before the expiration of the armistice, Alexios Strategopoulos
Alexios Strategopoulos
Alexios Strategopoulos was a Byzantine general during the reign of Michael VIII Palaiologos, rising to the rank of megas domestikos and Caesar. He is most notable for leading the reconquest of Constantinople from the Latins in 1261.- Early life :...
discovered that the Walls of Constantinople
Walls of Constantinople
The Walls of Constantinople are a series of defensive stone walls that have surrounded and protected the city of Constantinople since its founding as the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire by Constantine the Great...
were completely unmanned and managed to enter the city under the cover of darkness, retaking it from the Latins on July 25, 1261 thus ending the fifty-seven year Latin rule of the city.