Originally used for the junior emperor, despotes (lord, master) first appears on the seals of Nikephoros I, applied to his son Staurakios. By the reign of Michael III, however, the emperor is referred to as despotes, while his mother and regent is despoina. On seals issued during the regency of Zoe for Constantine VII the empress is also given the title of despoina. The title disappears until the reign of Nikephoros III, after which it becomes the title used almost exclusively on imperial seals.