Marie de Courtenay

Marie de Courtenay ruled as Empress consort of the Empire of Nicaea from 1219-1221. She was also regent of the Latin Empire of Constantinople from 1228 until her death. Marie is an important figure in understanding the power struggles between the Byzantine successor states between 1204-1261. She is also an example of the power women had in the 13th century, and how marriages were used by Western Europe to excerpt power into Eastern European affairs.