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DYNASTIC STEUGGLES IN EMPIEE 75 been forced upon him by his enemies within the empire. The partisans of John had been the first to ask the Turks for assistance. They had delivered cities to the Turks, had paid them, and had made it necessary that he, in his own defence, should ask for their alliance. He concluded by urging the great assembly to consider in what manner means might be found of preserving the empire. 1 The nobles returned answer that they recognised the necessity of contributing for the safety of the state, and advised that every person should give what was in his power. The emperor, believing that he had accomplished his pur- pose, then dismissed the assembly. Very little result appears to have been produced. Nor does the voluntary taxation appear to have yielded any con- siderable sum. In the meeting itself there were many who were opposed to Cantacuzenus personally, and within a short period the animosity between the partisans of the two emperors became as rancorous as ever. Among the most violent of his own partisans was his son Matthew, who, under the belief that Anne, the empress-dowager, was con- spiring against his father, boldly took possession of several cities. Wearied out by constant struggle, Cantacuzenus states that he wished to abdicate and retire to a monastery, and that his wife approved of his design. His writings show that he felt great interest in the discussion of theological questions. The part which he himself took in several religions controversies, the anxiety that he underwent to have the excommunication against him annulled, first by the Patriarch John and afterwards, ' for greater safety,' by John's successor, 2 Isidore, his negotiations with the pope for Union, and many other circumstances, show that the withdrawal to a monastery was a not unnatural development of his life. While he was making preparations to carry his design into execution, news came of the progress of Stephen of Serbia, which forced him to postpone it. Salonica, ' one of 1 Cant. iv. 5 and 6. 2 eVe/ca ao-(paAelas irpdrTeiv, iv. 3.