John VII, Byzantine emperor

John VII (John Palaeologus) pāˌlēŏlˈəgəs [key], c.1370–1408, Byzantine emperor, grandson of John V. Backed by the sultan Beyazid I, he usurped (1390) the throne from John V but was dethroned by his uncle, Manuel II, six months later. He again ruled (1399–1402) as coemperor when Manuel II went to the West to seek aid against the Turks.

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