With the Bulgarians and Turks hobbled by the Mongols the field is clear for Nicaea. John Vatatzes annexes a huge swathe of European territory and is widely recognised as the true Roman Emperor.
Source: https://shows.acast.com/thehistoryofbyzantium/episodes/episode-297-the-rise-and-rise-of-nicaea
Episode 297 - The Rise and Rise of Nicaea
The History of Byzantium
The History of Byzantium
A podcast telling the story of the Roman (Byzantine) Empire from 476 AD to 1453. www.thehistoryofbyzantium.com