Editing Eighth Crusade (section)

===The Byzantines recapture Constantinople===
The inconclusive resolution of the War of Saint Sabas had implications beyond Syria. The [[Latin Empire|Latin Empire of Constantinople]] had prospered with the help of Italian trade. Venice had holdings in both Constantinople and the Aegean islands, and so had a particular interest in the success of the empire. To counter that, Genoa actively supported [[Michael VIII Palaiologos|Michael VIII Palaeologus]], emperor of [[Empire of Nicaea|Nicaea]]. Michael  laid the foundations for the recovery of Byzantium in 1259 by his victory at the [[Battle of Pelagonia]] where [[William of Villehardouin]], Prince of [[Principality of Achaea|Achaea]], was captured with all his barons and obliged to cede the fortresses that dominated the eastern half of the peninsula. In March 1261, Michael signed a treaty with the Genoese, giving them preferential treatment throughout his dominions, present and future. On 25 July, with the help of the Genoese, his troops entered Constantinople. The Latin Empire, born from the [[Fourth Crusade]], was dissolved.{{sfn|Runciman|1954|pp=286–287|loc=The Byzantines Recapture Constantinople}}