Alexios Raoul (Premysloides Dynasty)

Alexios Raoul
Alexios Raoul, born in 1200, was son of powerful and wealthy aristocratic landlord and court administrator Constantine Raoul, who was in services of Alexios III Angelos and was among Alexios loyal supporters.

After Fourth Crusade, Constantine and his family moved to Nicean Empire, where he and later his son, joined Emperor John III Vatatzes.

His career until 1240 is unknown. In 1227 died Constantine Raoul and Alexios was in 1240 named to position of protovestiarios, important accountant and official of Emperor John III.

In this position, Raoul was very active in building feudalistic system, decreasing or eliminating positions of imperial governors and bureaucracy in favour of aristocracy and landlords and was despised for his protection of wealthy classes against poor people.

In 1245, Emperor John III was murdered and Nicean Civil War has began. Alexios Raoul and his levies supported Theodore Laskaris, but in that moment, he was crushingly defeated by Michael Palaiologos army. Levies of Alexios Raoul were poor trained and ill-equiped with small-to-none experiences, contrary to standing provincial army of Michael Palaiologos.