Irene of Brunswick, born Adelheid, (Greek: Ειρήνη; c. 1293 – 16/17 August 1324) was the first wife of Andronikos III Palaiologos,^[1] 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).

She died in Rhaedestos during the civil war between Andronikos II and Andronikos III from 1321 to 1328. Her husband claimed the throne for its duration, making her the empress to a rival emperor. Her husband proceeded to marry Anna of Savoy.