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- BIOGRAPHY
Elena was born about 1242, the daughter of Michael II Komnenos Doukas Nothos Angelos, Archon (ruler) of Epirus and Atolia, and Theodora Doukaina Petraliphaina, St.Theodora of Arta.
On 2 June 1259 at the seaport of Trani in southern Italy, Elena became the second wife of Manfredo, king of Sicily, the illegitimate son of Emperor Friedrich II by his mistress and possibly wife Bianca Lancia.
Manfredo had been regent of the kingdom of Sicily since 1254, reigning in the name of his nephew Konradin. However, as the two-year old Konradin was in Germany with his mother, Manfredo was crowned king of Sicily in 1258, taking up residence at Barletta.
Elena's father Michael II had lost the city of Dyrrhachium to Theodoros II Doukas Laskaris, emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire, in 1256. Manfredo had captured Dyrrhachium and its surrounding area within the following two years. Michael II still had a territorial claim to the city but at the time was preparing to besiege Thessalonica. Elena's marriage was intended to maintain peace between Epirus and Sicily since both Michael II and Manfredo had more pressing concerns elsewhere. Her dowry included all rights to Dyrrhachium and its surrounding area along with the island of Corfu. Corfu was the only actual territorial gain for Manfredo. Elena and Manfredo had five children. Their daughter Beatrice would have progeny with her second husband Manfredo IV, 5.marchese di Saluzzo.
Manfredo was killed at the Battle of Benevento on 26 February 1266 while fighting against his rival and successor Charles I Etienne of Anjou, a brother of Louis IX, king of France. Charles imprisoned Elena and her young children, and only Constance, Manfredo's surviving child by his first wife, escaped imprisonment. Elena died in captivity in the castle of Nocera Inferiore in July 1271.
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