Caterina Gattilusio
Encyclopedia
Caterina Gattilusio was the second wife of Constantine XI
, the last Byzantine emperor, while he was still Despot of the Morea.
She was a daughter of Dorino of Lesbos
and Orietta Doria
. In 1440, Caterina was betrothed to Constantine Palaiologos. The Chronicle of George Sphrantzes
records the author himself arriving in Lesbos Island
on December 6, 1440 to collect Caterina and take her to her betrothed.
The marriage took place on 27 July 1441. However Caterina died within a year of her marriage. Death in childbirth has been suggested, as in the case of his previous wife Maddalena Tocco. Constantine never remarried.
Constantine XI
Constantine XI Palaiologos, latinized as Palaeologus , Kōnstantinos XI Dragasēs Palaiologos; February 8, 1404 – May 29, 1453) was the last reigning Byzantine Emperor from 1449 to his death as member of the Palaiologos dynasty...
, the last Byzantine emperor, while he was still Despot of the Morea.
She was a daughter of Dorino of Lesbos
Dorino of Lesbos
Dorino Gattilusio, Lord of Lesbos was the fourth ruler of an independent Lesbos from 1428 to 1455.He was the second son of Francis II, Lord of Lesbos and Valentina Doria. He succeeded his older brother Jacopo of Lesbos in 1428....
and Orietta Doria
Doria
Doria, originally de Auria , meaning "the sons of Auria", and then de Oria or d'Oria, is the name of an old and extremely wealthy Genoese family who played a major role in the history of the Republic of Genoa and in Italy, from the 12th century to the 16th century.-Origins:According to legend, a...
. In 1440, Caterina was betrothed to Constantine Palaiologos. The Chronicle of George Sphrantzes
George Sphrantzes
George Sphrantzes, also Phrantzes or Phrantza was a late Byzantine Greek historian. He was born in Constantinople. At an early age he became secretary to Manuel II Palaiologos; in 1432 protovestiarites; in 1446 prefect of Mistras, and subsequently great logothete...
records the author himself arriving in Lesbos Island
Lesbos Island
Lesbos is a Greek island located in the northeastern Aegean Sea. It has an area of with 320 kilometres of coastline, making it the third largest Greek island. It is separated from Turkey by the narrow Mytilini Strait....
on December 6, 1440 to collect Caterina and take her to her betrothed.
The marriage took place on 27 July 1441. However Caterina died within a year of her marriage. Death in childbirth has been suggested, as in the case of his previous wife Maddalena Tocco. Constantine never remarried.