Maria Porphyrogenita was the oldest child of Byzantine Emperor Manuel I Komnenos. After Manuel's death in 1180, her brother Alexios II came under the unpopular regency of his mother, Maria of Antioch and her lover, the protosebastos Alexios Komnenos (son of Manuel's brother Andronikos). In response, she and several other nobles, including her young husband Renier-Ioannes of Montferrat, conspired to remove Empress Maria and her lover from power.
OTL, the plot was discovered and failed. This led to Maria calling Andronikos Komnenos for help, and when he arrived he had Maria and Renier poisoned.
If the plot succeeded, would Maria take over as Empress? What happens to Alexios II?
OTL, the plot was discovered and failed. This led to Maria calling Andronikos Komnenos for help, and when he arrived he had Maria and Renier poisoned.
If the plot succeeded, would Maria take over as Empress? What happens to Alexios II?