Andronikos Asen

Andronikos Asen was a son of Despot Manuel Asen and Anna Komnene Doukaina Palaiologina Asenina, born probably around 1326. While his father was imprisoned in the fortress of Vira, the boy was raised by his uncle John VI Kantakouzenos and his aunt Empress Irene, who saw to his upbringing and education alongside their own children.

His career was swift: in the spring of 1351, at barely 25, he was already panhypersebastos and sat beside the emperor at the synod against the opponents of Palamism. In November 1354, now sevastokrator, he was one of the three to whom John Kantakouzenos turned for help on the eve of his abdication. He reached Constantinople after the agreement between the two emperors and on 4 December 1354 returned to his father's appanage of Bizye — the last notice of him.