Irene of Brunswick

Irene of Brunswick, born Adelheid, (; c. 1293 – 16/17 August 1324) was the first wife of Andronikos III Palaiologos, and by marriage Byzantine empress, although she died before her husband became senior emperor. Biography She was a daughter of Henry I, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and Agnes of Meissen. In March, 1318, she married Andronikos Palaiologos. He was the eldest son of Michael IX Palaiologos and Rita of Armenia. Her father-in-law was at the time junior co-emperor with his own father, Andronikos II Palaiologos. She joined the Eastern Orthodox Church with her marriage and took the name Irene. They had a son (June 1320 – February 1322).