Helen Asen of Bulgaria (d. 1255?)

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Helen Asen of Bulgaria (d. 1255?)

Nicaean empress. Name variations: Helena. Died around 1255; daughter of Asen II also known as Ivan Asen II, ruler of Bulgaria (r. 1218–1241); married Theodore II Lascaris, Nicaean emperor (r. 1254–1258); children: Irene Lascaris (d. around 1270, who married Constantine Tich, tsar of Bulgaria); Maria (who married Nicephorus I of Epirus); John IV Lascaris, Nicaean emperor (b. 1251, r. 1258–1261).

A Bulgarian princess, daughter of King Ivan Asen II, Helen Asen was brought to the Nicaean court as a child where she grew up as Theodore II Lascaris' intended bride. She had at least two daughters and one son before her early demise.

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