Theodore I Laskaris
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Theodore I Laskaris or Lascaris was the first emperor of Nicaea—a successor state of the Byzantine Empire—from 1205 to his death. Although he was born to an obscure aristocratic family, his mother was related to the imperial Komnenos clan. He married Anna, a younger daughter of Emperor Alexios III Angelos in 1200. He received the title of despot before 1203, demonstrating his right to succeed his father-in-law on the throne.
Crusaders besieging Constantinople in 1204.
Ruins of the walls of Nicaea.
Despot (court title)
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Despot or despotes was a senior Byzantine court title that was bestowed on the sons or sons-in-law of reigning emperors, and initially denoted the heir-apparent of the Byzantine emperor.
Empress Eudokia Ingerina with her sons Leo VI (left) and Alexander (right), both called despotes (ΔECΠOTHC)
Emperor Manuel II Palaiologos with his family: empress Helena Dragaš (right), and three of their sons, the co-emperor John VIII and the despots Andronikos and Theodore
Lead seal of Constantine Palaiologos, showing him in imperial regalia, and mentioning his titles of despot and porphyrogennetos