The Life and Deeds of the Ever-Remembered Despot Stefan

died. His army dispersed to their homes. His son kept the Persians (under his rule), and Tamerlane's grandson, by the name of Shah Rukh, now rules the Persians.

41. And let us return to what came before. The most pious Prince Stefan arrived in Constantinople together with his brother Vuk and heard friendly words from all (and all thought) that in looking (at him they were looking) at a kind of sun. Then he also received the dignity of Despot from the most pious Emperor John.⁷³ Him, his nephew, Emperor Manuel had appointed to (rule) in his stead; Bayezid had brought him into a grievous position, and he had gone to the Romans of old (Rome) with the intention of uniting the churches and preparing a war (against the Turks), in order to take vengeance and obtain deliverance. For many years (Bayezid) held Constantinople shut in and worn out by hunger - some (people) fled by night, and some ordered the beggars to leave (the city).

42. And this most pious John had many conflicts with the inhabitants of Galata (that is, the Genoese), and when he saw this one (Despot Stefan) in Constantinople, he was filled with great and unspeakable joy; he made merry with him in the imperial (chambers) and gave him the crown of dignity which (Stefan) himself had woven for himself by valiant and much-suffering feats. Emperor John sent (him) by ship to his father-in-law on the island of Mytilene, that (he) might see him off with ships to the Albanian (land), whither (the Despot) intended to go. And this one (John's father-in-law) undertook everything, (for the occasion was granted him) to behold in his own city the bright morning (star); and in this most chosen and most wondrous city of Mytilene there was no place where this Gattilusio⁷⁴ did not lead him and entertain him - in his gardens and orchards, with the acclamation: "Many years, O Master!", as befits the rank of a ruler. Then also the most exalted (Despot Stefan), of whom we speak, beheld the daughter of this ruler, who afterward became his wife; on her mother's (side) she too was a niece of Emperor Manuel, from whom both these lords and this lineage are called Palaiologoi. Gattilusio said to him then: "Take as wife whichever of my daughters thou wilt." This came to pass on the counsel and with the participation of the empress (the wife of Emperor John), her (Jelena's) sister. And while this glorious Despot was waiting on the island for the ships to be made ready, and while he was (on the ships) with his brother Vuk, the Greek emperor Manuel came from the western regions to Kallipolis; after the Battle of Ankara (Angora), the eldest son of the Thunderbolt Bayezid also came there from the east. And there, (Manuel) on the sea (that is, on a ship) and (Süleyman) on land concluded a firm friendship, as a father with a son. Then Thessalonica too returned into Greek hands. To this emperor Süleyman all deeds were good and prudent; but wine overcame him, more than other emperors - he could not renounce it, and because of it he was deprived of his empire too.

43. It was joyful (for him) with the Greek emperor, for (they were) worthy of one another. The Greek emperor came, then, to Constantinople; (Emperor) John submitted to him as to a father (and) withdrew to Thessalonica; the other then gave him (Thessalonica) to govern. At that time (the domain) of Constantinople extended even to Vize,⁷⁵ and further along the Black Sea (as far as) the land of Selymbria,⁷⁶ and moreover (to) the Achaean and Thessalonian