Since the early 14th century the power of the Despotate of Epirus had been decreasing while the Albanian rulers had been increasing their control over many areas of the despotate. Nikephoros II Orsini, Despot of Epirus decided to establish closer relations to the Serbian Empire by dropping his previous wife Maria Cantacuzena and marrying the sister of Stefan Uroš IV Dušan's widow. The Albanians of the Despotate threatened revolt if Orsini married Helena of Bulgaria's sister and didn't recall Maria, who was part of the Cantacuzene family allied with them. Orsini was forced to recall Maria but decided to wage war against the Albanians to stop their increasing power in the despotate.