Irene Kantakouzene
| Irene Kantakouzene | |
|---|---|
| Despotess of Serbia | |
| Tenure | 19 July 1427 – 24 December 1456 |
| Born | c. 1400 Constantinople, Byzantine Empire (modern-day Istanbul, Turkey) |
| Died | 3 May 1457 Rudnik, Gornji Milanovac, Serbian Despotate (modern-day Serbia) |
| Spouses | |
| Issue | Todor Branković (?) Grgur Branković Mara Branković Stefan Branković Katarina, Countess of Celje Lazar Branković |
| House | Kantakouzenos (birth) Branković (marriage) |
| Father | Theodore Kantakouzenos |
| Mother | Helena Ouresina Doukaina Nemanjić |
Irene Kantakouzene (Greek: Ειρήνη Καντακουζηνή, Eiréne Kantakouzené, modern pronunciation Iríni Kantakouziní [iriˈni kantakusini'], Serbian: Ирина Кантакузин / Irina Kantakuzin; c. 1400 – 3 May 1457), known simply as Despotess Jerina (Serbian: деспотица Јерина / despotica Jerina) wasthe wife of Serbian Despot Đurađ Branković. Her father was probably the Byzantine nobleman Theodore Kantakouzenos. In Serbian folk legends, she is the founder of many fortresses in Serbia.