Emperor John VIII Palaiologos had named his…

Emperor John VIII Palaiologos had named his brother Constantine XI, who had served as regent in Constantinople in 1437–1439, as his successor.

Western efforts against the Turks have failed, and the religious union has stirred dissension among the Greeks, who refuse to submit their church to the papacy.

The Emperor’s spirit is broken, and intrigues over the succession, coupled with news of the Turkish victory over the Hungarians in the Second Battle of Kosovo in October 1448, hasten his death on the last day of the month.

Despite the machinations of his younger brother Demetrios Palaiologos, his mother Helena is able to secure Constantine XI's succession in 1448.