Katakalon Tarchaneiotes, the katepano of Adrianople, had opposed the rebellion of the Bryennios brothers, and wrote to Michael VII and Nikephoritzes asking for troops to suppress it. He received no assistance, either because there were no troops available or because his two correspondents were too lazy to reply. Thus for several days he resisted the rebel movement in Adrianople almost single-handedly. He then realised that he was exposing himself to great risk for little purpose, and allowed himself to be persuaded by Ioannes Bryennios to join the rebellion. The move was cemented by Anna the kouropalatissa, mother of the Bryennios brothers, who arranged for a betrothal between Katakalon's sister Helena and the son of Ioannes Bryennios. Ioannes also recruited many westerners to his brother's cause