Leo the Deacon
John became senior Emperor in place of Nikephoros. Theophano was exiled to the island of Pringipos. His previous marriage to Maria Skeleraina had solidified an alliance with general Bardas Skleros, but the loyalties of the rest of the Byzantine Empire were not as secure. John rectified the situation by releasing Theodora from Myrelaion and arranging their marriage. According to Leo the Deacon, the marriage occurred in November 971. "The Cambridge Medieval History. Vol. IV, The Byzantine Empire" (1966) by Joan M. Hussey attributes to this marriage the birth of a daughter, Theophano Kourkouas.