Vataça Lascaris
Encyclopedia
Lady Vataça Lascaris also referred as Vatatsa Lascaris, Vataça of Ventimiglia, Dona Betaça, Betaça de Grécia, Vatatsa or Vetacia was an Italian princess
of Byzantine Greek origin.
Lady Vataça was the daughter of Princess Eudoxia Laskarina (1254–1311) of the Empire of Nicaea
and Guillermo Pietro I, Count of Ventimiglia
and Lord of Tende
(~1230-1278). Eudoxia was the fourth daughter of Theodore II Laskaris
and sister of young emperor John IV Laskaris
, who was withdrawn from the throne by co-regent Michael VIII Palaiologos
in 1261. After the conquest of Constantinople
, Michael proclaimed himself sole ruler, blinding and displacing the young emperor and marrying the remaining princesses to foreigners. Eudoxia, still a child, married in 1261 in Constantinople with Count Pedro of the House of Ventimiglia and Tende
(a region that retains the Byzantine double-headed eagle
as a symbol), traveling then to Liguria
.
At the same time must have fled from the Byzantine court Constance II of Hohenstaufen
(Ann of Sicily) (1230–1307), widow empress of John III Doukas Vatatzes
(c. 1193-1254) Eudoxia's grandfather, returning to her native Sicily were her brother Manfred of Sicily
ruled. In 1266, after the death of Manfred and conquest of Sicily by Charles of Anjou, Constance fled to Arangon where her niece Constance of Sicily (1249–1302) was consort of Peter III of Aragon
and mother of Elisabeth of Aragon. Eudoxia also sought Aragon to escape Angevin dominance of Genoa or/and by the time her husband died. Both Byzantine noble ladies where protected and respected at the court, probably given their importance in the medieval fights and diplomacy between Aragon
, Sicily
and Byzantine Empire
, thus explaining Vataça and Queen Elisabeth proximity, friendship and interests.
Lady Vataça came to Portugal with Elizabeth of Aragon
, for the wedding with King Denis of Portugal
in 1288. Court lady and friend of the future Saint Elizabeth of Portugal, to whom she was related as a descendant of Andrew II of Hungary
father of Saint Elisabeth of Hungary
, she was charged with the education of her children. In 1302 she followed the first born Constance of Portugal
to Castille, for her wedding with Ferdinand IV of Castile
, to seal the peace between the two kingdoms. There she stood until Constance’s death, who had left her infant Alfonso XI of Castile
on her guard while traveling to Avila, where the court was to decide about the tutorship of the infant king. Constance died in this travel and Vataça returned to Portugal.
In 1317, Lady Vataça established a small court in Santiago do Cacém
castle, given to her by King Denis in 1310/15, were she dedicated herself to the administration of her large possessions until 1325 or 1332, when she followed Queen Elisabeth to Coimbra. She died there in 1336 and her impressive tomb in the Old Cathedral of Coimbra
, attributed to Mestre Pero sculptor, is surrounded by double-headed eagle
s, symbol of the Laskaris
dynasty and the Byzantine Empire.
Princess
Princess is the feminine form of prince . Most often, the term has been used for the consort of a prince, or his daughters....
of Byzantine Greek origin.
Lady Vataça was the daughter of Princess Eudoxia Laskarina (1254–1311) of the Empire of Nicaea
Empire of Nicaea
The Empire of Nicaea was the largest of the three Byzantine Greek successor states founded by the aristocracy of the Byzantine Empire that fled after Constantinople was occupied by Western European and Venetian forces during the Fourth Crusade...
and Guillermo Pietro I, Count of Ventimiglia
Ventimiglia
Ventimiglia is a city and comune in Liguria, northern Italy, in the province of Imperia. It is located southwest of Genoa by rail, and 7 km from the French-Italian border, on the Gulf of Genoa, having a small harbour at the mouth of the Roia River, which divides the town into two parts...
and Lord of Tende
Tende
Tende is a commune in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France.-Geography:Tende is located within Mercantour National Park in the French Alps. The mountainous commune is bordered by Italy to the north, with the boundary determined by the watershed line between the two countries...
(~1230-1278). Eudoxia was the fourth daughter of Theodore II Laskaris
Theodore II Laskaris
Theodore II Doukas Laskaris or Ducas Lascaris was emperor of Nicaea, 1254–1258.-Life:Theodore II Doukas Laskaris was the only son of Emperor John III Doukas Vatatzes and Eirene Laskarina, the daughter of Emperor Theodore I Laskaris and Anna Angelina, a daughter of Emperor Alexios III Angelos and...
and sister of young emperor John IV Laskaris
John IV Laskaris
John IV Doukas Laskaris was emperor of Nicaea from August 18, 1258 to December 25, 1261...
, who was withdrawn from the throne by co-regent 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...
in 1261. After the conquest of Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
, Michael proclaimed himself sole ruler, blinding and displacing the young emperor and marrying the remaining princesses to foreigners. Eudoxia, still a child, married in 1261 in Constantinople with Count Pedro of the House of Ventimiglia and Tende
Tende
Tende is a commune in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France.-Geography:Tende is located within Mercantour National Park in the French Alps. The mountainous commune is bordered by Italy to the north, with the boundary determined by the watershed line between the two countries...
(a region that retains the Byzantine double-headed eagle
Double-headed eagle
The double-headed eagle is a common symbol in heraldry and vexillology. It is most commonly associated with the Byzantine Empire and the Holy Roman Empire. In Byzantine heraldry, the heads represent the dual sovereignty of the Emperor and/or dominance of the Byzantine Emperors over both East and...
as a symbol), traveling then to Liguria
Liguria
Liguria is a coastal region of north-western Italy, the third smallest of the Italian regions. Its capital is Genoa. It is a popular region with tourists for its beautiful beaches, picturesque little towns, and good food.-Geography:...
.
At the same time must have fled from the Byzantine court Constance II of Hohenstaufen
Constance II of Hohenstaufen
Anna of Hohenstaufen , born Constance, was the daughter of Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor and Bianca Lancia.-Byzantine Empress:...
(Ann of Sicily) (1230–1307), widow empress of John III Doukas Vatatzes
John III Doukas Vatatzes
John III Doukas Vatatzes, Latinized as Ducas Vatatzes |Nymphaion]]) was emperor of Nicaea 1221–1254.-Life:John Doukas Vatatzes was probably the son of the general Basileios Vatatzes, Duke of Thrace, who died in 1193, and his wife, an unnamed daughter of Isaakios Angelos and cousin of the Emperors...
(c. 1193-1254) Eudoxia's grandfather, returning to her native Sicily were her brother Manfred of Sicily
Manfred of Sicily
Manfred was the King of Sicily from 1258 to 1266. He was a natural son of the emperor Frederick II of Hohenstaufen but his mother, Bianca Lancia , is reported by Matthew of Paris to have been married to the emperor while on her deathbed.-Background:Manfred was born in Venosa...
ruled. In 1266, after the death of Manfred and conquest of Sicily by Charles of Anjou, Constance fled to Arangon where her niece Constance of Sicily (1249–1302) was consort of Peter III of Aragon
Peter III of Aragon
Peter the Great was the King of Aragon of Valencia , and Count of Barcelona from 1276 to his death. He conquered Sicily and became its king in 1282. He was one of the greatest of medieval Aragonese monarchs.-Youth and succession:Peter was the eldest son of James I of Aragon and his second wife...
and mother of Elisabeth of Aragon. Eudoxia also sought Aragon to escape Angevin dominance of Genoa or/and by the time her husband died. Both Byzantine noble ladies where protected and respected at the court, probably given their importance in the medieval fights and diplomacy between Aragon
Aragon
Aragon is a modern autonomous community in Spain, coextensive with the medieval Kingdom of Aragon. Located in northeastern Spain, the Aragonese autonomous community comprises three provinces : Huesca, Zaragoza, and Teruel. Its capital is Zaragoza...
, Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
and Byzantine Empire
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
, thus explaining Vataça and Queen Elisabeth proximity, friendship and interests.
Lady Vataça came to Portugal with Elizabeth of Aragon
Elizabeth of Aragon
Elizabeth of Aragon, also known as Saint Elizabeth of Portugal, T.O.S.F. , was queen consort of Portugal, a tertiary of the Franciscan Order and is venerated as a saint of the Roman Catholic Church.-Biography:Elizabeth was a descendant of one of the most powerful families in Europe:...
, for the wedding with King Denis of Portugal
Denis of Portugal
Dinis , called the Farmer King , was the sixth King of Portugal and the Algarve. The eldest son of Afonso III of Portugal by his second wife, Beatrice of Castile and grandson of king Alfonso X of Castile , Dinis succeeded his father in 1279.-Biography:As heir to the throne, Infante Dinis was...
in 1288. Court lady and friend of the future Saint Elizabeth of Portugal, to whom she was related as a descendant of Andrew II of Hungary
Andrew II of Hungary
Andrew II the Jerosolimitan was King of Hungary and Croatia . He was the younger son of King Béla III of Hungary, who invested him with the government of the Principality of Halych...
father of Saint Elisabeth of Hungary
Elisabeth of Hungary
Elizabeth of Hungary, T.O.S.F., was a princess of the Kingdom of Hungary, Countess of Thuringia, Germany and a greatly-venerated Catholic saint. Elizabeth was married at the age of 14, and widowed at 20. She then became one of the first members of the newly-founded Third Order of St. Francis,...
, she was charged with the education of her children. In 1302 she followed the first born Constance of Portugal
Constance of Portugal
Infanta Constança of Portugal was a Portuguese infanta , daughter of King Denis of Portugal and his wife Saint Elizabeth of Aragon...
to Castille, for her wedding with Ferdinand IV of Castile
Ferdinand IV of Castile
Ferdinand IV, El Emplazado or "the Summoned," was a king of Castile and León and Galicia...
, to seal the peace between the two kingdoms. There she stood until Constance’s death, who had left her infant Alfonso XI of Castile
Alfonso XI of Castile
Alfonso XI was the king of Castile, León and Galicia.He was the son of Ferdinand IV of Castile and his wife Constance of Portugal. Upon his father's death in 1312, several disputes ensued over who would hold regency, which were resolved in 1313...
on her guard while traveling to Avila, where the court was to decide about the tutorship of the infant king. Constance died in this travel and Vataça returned to Portugal.
In 1317, Lady Vataça established a small court in Santiago do Cacém
Santiago do Cacém
Santiago do Cacém is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 1060.0 km² and a total population of 30,305 inhabitants.The municipality is composed of 11 parishes, and is located in Setúbal District....
castle, given to her by King Denis in 1310/15, were she dedicated herself to the administration of her large possessions until 1325 or 1332, when she followed Queen Elisabeth to Coimbra. She died there in 1336 and her impressive tomb in the Old Cathedral of Coimbra
Old Cathedral of Coimbra
The Old Cathedral of Coimbra is one of the most important Romanesque Roman Catholic buildings in Portugal. Construction of the Sé Velha began some time after the Battle of Ourique , when Count Afonso Henriques declared himself King of Portugal and chose Coimbra as capital...
, attributed to Mestre Pero sculptor, is surrounded by double-headed eagle
Double-headed eagle
The double-headed eagle is a common symbol in heraldry and vexillology. It is most commonly associated with the Byzantine Empire and the Holy Roman Empire. In Byzantine heraldry, the heads represent the dual sovereignty of the Emperor and/or dominance of the Byzantine Emperors over both East and...
s, symbol of the Laskaris
Laskaris
The Laskaris or Lascaris family was a Byzantine Greek noble family whose members formed the ruling dynasty of the Empire of Nicaea from 1204 to 1261 and remained among the senior nobility up to the dissolution of the Byzantine Empire, whereupon many emigrated to Italy and then to Smyrna...
dynasty and the Byzantine Empire.