Michael VII proclaimed sole emperor by palace guard; Eudokia evicted

Summary:
Ioannes the kaisar befriended the Varangian guard in two, fearing for himself and his sons if Romanos returned to power. He divided them in half. One section was put under his sons, Andronikos and Konstantinos: at a moment of crisis, thinking the emperor was in danger, with clashing shields and loud war-cries they formed an impenetrable circle round Michael VII and led him to the upper part of the palace, where he was proclaimed sole emperor. The other section, under Ioannes' own command, concentrated on terrifying the empress Eudokia. Those with Eudokia, including Psellos, not knowing what was going on, were petrified, thinking they were in grave danger. Psellos gives an important role to himself: he protected the terrified empress, who veiled her head and fled to a distant place of concealment. Bryennios gives a similar role to Ioannes the kaisar, who persuaded her, for her safety, to leave the palace. Eventually it was decided to tonsure and banish her. Psellos is insistent that Michael VII opposed this decision against his mother, but other sources include him among those responsible 
Dates:
1071 November 1 
Andronikos Doukas, son of the kaisar Ioannes (Andronikos 61)
  • Put at the head of a section of the palace guard (Anonymi 5026) together with his brother (Konstantinos 61) by their father (Ioannes 62), he led the emperor (Michael 7) to the upper levels of the palace and proclaimed him autokrator: in association with Konstantinos 61 (:) ἡγουμένων τῶν παίδων τοῦ καίσαρος Bryennios 123.15-23
  • Had the empress (Eudokia 1) tonsured and banished, proclaimed Michael 7 emperor, and ordered that Diogenes (Romanos 4, returning after his release by Alp Arslan 51) should not be welcomed: in association with Ioannes 62, Konstantinos 61 (:) Glykas 611.16-21
  • Taking his advice Michael 7 won over the palace guard; thinking the emperor was in danger, with clashing shields and loud warcries they formed an impenetrable circle round him and led him to the upper part of the palace [unnamed] (:) τοῖς τε ἐξανεψίοις συμβούλοις χρησάμενος Psellos: Chronographia VIIb 28.5-14
  • Together with his father and brother and those senators who were of the same mind he tonsured and banished the empress (Eudokia 1) to Piperoudion, proclaimed Michael 7 sole emperor, and issued an order forbidding Romanos 4 to return: in association with Ioannes 62, Konstantinos 61 (:) Skylitzes Continuatus 152.17-22
  • Having just arrived (to Constantinople) after deserting the army (at Mantzikert), he was summoned by the augousta (Eudokia 1) but removed her from power and proclaimed her son (Michael 7) emperor in the Chrysotriklinos transferring power to him alone: in association with Ioannes 62, Konstantinos 61 (:) νέηλυς ἦν ἐκ τῆς στρατιᾶς καταλαβὼν ἐν φυγῇ Attaleiates: History 168.14-169.2 / 125.3-13
  • Removed by force Eudokia 1 from power, dressed her in black, tonsured her, put her on a ship across the Bosporos, and confined her in the monastery of Piperoudion as a nun: in association with Ioannes 62, Konstantinos 61 (:) πλοίῳ παραδόντες ὑπερόριον τίθενται κατὰ τὸν ἑῶον πορθμόν Attaleiates: History 169.2-9 / 125.13-18
members of the Varangian guard (Anonymi 5026)
  • Gathered by the entrance (to the chamber where Eudokia 1 had sought refuge) shouting and causing great fear to the empress, who was convinced by the kaisar (Ioannes 62) to abandon the palace lest they harm her (:) περιειστήκεισαν τὸ στόμιον ἀλαλάζοντες καὶ φόβον μέγιστον αὐτῇ ἐπισείοντες Bryennios 125.3-4
  • Those under the kaisar (Ioannes 62), striking their shields together, shouting in a barbaric way and clashing their swords against each other, advanced towards the empress (Eudokia 1)'s apartments (:) περὶ τὴν βασιλίδος ἐχώρουν σκηνήν Bryennios 123.23-27
  • Those under the orders of the kaisar's sons (Andronikos 61 and Konstantinos 61) escorted the emperor (Michael 7) at once to the upper levels of the palace and, led by the kaisar's sons, proclaimed him autokrator (:) καὶ αὐτοκράτορα τὸν Μιχαὴλ ἀναγορευόντων Bryennios 123.18-23
  • Befriended by the kaisar (Ioannes 62) who split them in two groups, one was ordered to follow his sons (Andronikos 61, Konstantinos 61) and obey their orders, the other to follow him and conform to his instructions in order to carry out the intended plot (:) Δίχα οὖν αὐτοὺς διελών...πρὸς τὴν μελετωμένην ἐγχείρησιν Bryennios 123.12-18
Empress Eudokia Makrembolitissa (Eudokia 1)
  • When the kaisar and his sons (Ioannes 62, Andronikos 61, Konstantinos 61) reached the palace her plan to renounce her husband (Romanos 4) turned against her, for they proclaimed emperor her first son (Michael 7) whom she had with Doukas (Konstantinos 10) (:) μεταστρέφεται κατ ᾿ αὐτῆς ἡ βουλή Attaleiates: History 168.20-169.2 / 125.8-13
  • Scared to death by the shouting guards (Anonymi 5026) who stood by the entrance to the chamber where she sought refuge, she was visited by the kaisar (Ioannes 62) who allayed her fear and advised her to leave the palace lest the guards harm her (:) μὴ καὶ πάθῃ τι τῶν ἀνηκέστων πρὸς τῶν φυλάκων Bryennios 125.3-7
  • Having received letters from the emperor (Romanos 4) relating what had happened to him, which caused great uproar in the palace, she was distraught, wondering what action to take, and summoned her supporters in order to prepare her plot (:) μετέωρος δὲ ἦν καὶ ἡ βασιλὶς σκεπτομένη τί ποτ᾿ ἄν δράσειε καὶ τὸ περὶ αὐτὴν εὔνουν συγκαλούμενη παρεσκεύαζε σκέμματα Bryennios 123.1-9
  • Hearing the noise and shouting (by the guard advancing towards her apartments) she could not be restrained and removed her head-cover rushing to a remote chamber resembling a cave where she lay hidden (:) τῆς κεφαλῆς περιελομένη τὸ κάλυμμα ἐπί τι οἴκημα ἄδυτον ἐμφερὲς σπηλαίῳ ἐξώρμα Bryennios 123.27-125.3
  • Enlisting some of the senators who shared their views (their leader was (Michael 61 Psellos), Ioannes 62 and Anonymi 6049 exiled her to the monastery that she had founded on the Bosporos, and proclaimed Michael 7 emperor (:) Zonaras 18.15.3
  • Those with her, including Michael 61, not knowing what was going on, were petrified, thinking that danger was upon them; she was not herself but veiled her head and fled to an impenetrable crypt (:) οὐδὲ καθεκτὴ ἦν, ἀλλὰ ... κατατείνει δρόμον ἐπί τι σπήλαιον ἄδυτον Psellos: Chronographia VIIb 29.1-6
  • She entered the lair and Michael 61 guarded its entrance, not knowing what to do or where to turn (:) ἡ μὲν ἐδεδύκει τῷ φωλεῷ Psellos: Chronographia VIIb 29.6-8
  • Michael 7 refused to exile her, as Michael 61 knows and would guarantee to all with God as his witness; but circumstances compelled it and conflicted with Michael's will (:) τοῦ μὲν βασιλέως καὶ παιδός, ... ἀπαρνουμένου τὴν τῆς μητρὸς ἐκδημίαν Psellos: Chronographia VIIb 30.8-11
  • Fearing for himself and distrusting Romanos 4's cruelty Michael 7 devised the safest plan, which was also the most intelligent: he dissociated himself from her and became his own master (:) ἀποτρέχει τῆς μητρὸς καὶ ἑαυτοῦ γίνεται Psellos: Chronographia VIIb 28.1-5
Ioannes Doukas, kaisar (Ioannes 62)
  • Divided the guard (Anonymi 5026) in two groups, ordering one to follow his sons (Andronikos 61 and Konstantinos 61) and obey their orders, the other to follow him and conform to his instructions in order to carry out the intended plot (:) τοῖς μὲν ἐκέλευσε τοῖς υἱέσιν ἕπεσθαι καὶ τὰ κελευσθέντα πληροῦν, τοῖς δὲ ξυνέπεσθαι Bryennios 123.15-18
  • Fearing for himself and his nephews (Michael 7 and Konstantios 61), lest they suffer badly should Diogenes (Romanos 4) return to power, he befriended the guards of the palace (Anonymi 5026) (:) τοὺς περὶ τὴν αὐλὴν φύλακας εὐθὺς οἰκειοῦται Bryennios 123.9-13
  • Had the empress (Eudokia 1) tonsured and banished, proclaimed Michael 7 emperor, and ordered that Diogenes (Romanos 4, returning after his release by Alp Arslan 51) should not be welcomed: in association with Andronikos 61, Konstantinos 61 (:) Glykas 611.15-21
  • Enlisting some of the senators who shared their views (their leader was (Michael 61) Psellos), he and Anonymi 6049 exiled the empress Eudokia 1 to the monastery that she had founded on the Bosporus strait, and proclaimed Michael 7 emperor: in association with Anonymi 6049 (:) Zonaras 18.15.3
  • Took care of state affairs as he wished, brought the senators to his side by granting them honours, and spoke in the usual way to the people promising much and saying that it was God's will for his nephew (Michael 7) to ascend his father's throne: in association with Michael 7 (:) οἰκειώσασθαι καὶ τιμᾶν αὐτοὺς προκατάρξασθαι Attaleiates: History 169.14-20 / 125.22-126.2
  • Went to meet the empress (Eudokia 1, in the chamber where she had sought refuge), allayed her fears and advised her to abandon the palace, lest the guards (Anonymi 5026) harm her (:) Ξυνεβούλευε γοῦν ἀπιέναι τῶν ἀνακτόρων αὐτήν Bryennios 125.5-7
  • Summoned by the augousta (Eudokia 1) who was planning to renounce her husband (Romanos 4), he removed her from power instead, and proclaimed her son (Michael 7) emperor on the imperial throne in the Chrysotriklinos transferring power to him alone: in association with Andronikos 61, Konstantinos 61 (:) μετεπέμψατο μὲν καὶ τὸν τοῦ πρώτου ἀνδρὸς καὶ βασιλέως ὁμαίμονα Attaleiates: History 168.14-169.2 / 125.3-13
  • Appeared to be in full control of the empire (after the banishment of Eudokia 1 and the proclamation of Michael 7 as sole emperor) τὰ τῆς βασιλείας, ὡς ἐδόκει, ἄριστα κρατυνόμενος Skylitzes Continuatus 152.29
Konstantinos Doukas, son of Kaisar Ioannes (Konstantinos 61)
  • Summoned by the augousta (Eudokia 1) who was planning to renounce her husband (Romanos 4), he removed her from power instead, and proclaimed her son (Michael 7) emperor on the imperial throne in the Chrysotriklinos transferring power to him alone: in association with Ioannes 62, Andronikos 61 (:) καὶ τὴν ἀρχὴν ἐγχειρίζουσι μόναρχον Attaleiates: History 168.14-169.2 / 125.3-13
  • Removed by force Eudokia 1 from power, dressed her in black, tonsured her, put her on a ship across the Bosporos, and confined her in the monastery of Piperoudion as a nun: in association with Ioannes 62, Andronikos 61 (:) τῷ τάγματι τῶν μοναζουσῶν καταζεύξαντες Attaleiates: History 169.2-9 / 125.13-18
  • Had the empress (Eudokia 1) tonsured and banished, proclaimed Michael 7 emperor, and ordered that Diogenes (Romanos 4, returning after his release by Alp Arslan 51) should not be welcomed: in association with Ioannes 62, Andronikos 61 (:) Glykas 611.16-21
  • Taking his advice and that of Andronikos 61, Michael 7 won over the palace guard; thinking Michael in danger, with clashing shields and loud warcries they formed an impenetrable circle round him and led him to the upper part of the palace (:) τοῖς τε ἐξανεψίοις συμβούλοις χρησάμενος Psellos: Chronographia VIIa 28.5-14
  • Put at the head of a section of the palace guard (Anonymi 5026) together with his brother (Andronikos 61) by their father (Ioannes 62), he led the emperor (Michael 7) to the upper levels of the palace and proclaimed him autokrator: in association with Andronikos 61 (:) ἡγουμένων τῶν παίδων τοῦ καίσαρος Bryennios 123.15-23
Konstantios Doukas, brother of Michael VII (Konstantios 61)
  • Moved from place to place with his mother and siblings (Eudokia 1, Anonymae 5000, Andronikos 62) after her banishment from Constantinople by his brother (Michael 7) (:) καὶ ἦν ἔξω τῆς πόλεως τόπον ἐκ τόπου ἀμείβουσα μετὰ τῶν αὐταδέλφων αὐτοῦ Attaleiates: History 304.5-7 / 217.16-17
  • Still a child, he was banished by his brother (Michael 7) from the imperial city (Constantinople) and the palace across the sea to the opposite shore (Asia Minor) (:) τῆς βασιλευούσης πόλεως καὶ τῶν ἀνακτόρων παρὰ τοῦ συγγόνου ἀπείργετο Attaleiates: History 305.1-3 / 218.2-4
Emperor Michael VII Doukas (Michael 7)
  • Was urged to arm against his mother (Eudokia 1) by those who wished to take advantage of power and meddled in government for personal profit, while she was encouraged to reign alone (:) τὴν μὲν εἰς μοναρχίαν ἠρέθιζον, τὸν δ ᾿ ὁπλίζειν ἔσπευδον κατὰ τῆς μητρός Bryennios 121.5-9
  • Joined and escorted by the guard (Anonymi 5026) under the orders of the kaisar's sons (Andronikos 61 and Konstantinos 61) he was led to the upper levels of the palace where he was proclaimed autokrator (:) καὶ αὐτοκράτορα τὸν Μιχαὴλ ἀναγορευόντων Bryennios 123.20-23
  • Was proclaimed sole emperor by Ioannes 62 the kaisar, his sons (Andronikos 61, Konstantinos 61) and their supporters (after the capture of Romanos 4 by Alp Arslan 51 and the banishment of Eudokia 1) (:) Glykas 611.19-20
  • Proclaimed emperor, he reigned together with his mother Eudokia 1 for a month, but then removed her from the palace, had her tonsured, became sole emperor, and reigned with his wife Maria 61 for 6 and a half years (on October 1 of the 10th indiction in the year 6580:ὀκτωβρίῳ α ´, ἰνδικτιῶνος ι ´, ἔτους ,ςφπ ´) μόναρχος καταληφθεὶς αὐτός Kleinchroniken 144.75-76, 161.20-21, 168.21
  • Enlisting some of the senators who shared their views (their leader was (Michael 61) Psellos), Ioannes 62 and Anonymi 6049 exiled the empress Eudokia 1 to the monastery that she had founded on the Bosporus strait, and proclaimed him emperor (:) Zonaras 18.15.3
  • Fearing for himself and distrusting Romanos 4's cruelty he devised the safest plan, which was also the most intelligent: he dissociated himself from Eudokia 1 and became his own master (:) ἀποτρέχει τῆς μητρὸς καὶ ἑαυτοῦ γίνεται Psellos: Chronographia VIIb 28.1-5
  • Taking the advice of Andronikos 61 and Konstantinos 61 he won over the palace guard; thinking him in danger, with clashing shields and loud war-cries they formed an impenetrable circle round him and led him to the upper part of the palace (:) ἐπὶ τὸν βασιλεύοντα ὡς κινδυνεύοντα συνανιᾶσι Psellos: Chronographia VIIb 28.5-14
  • Once secure, he thought first of all of Michael 61 and sent messengers all over the palace to search him out; finding him they took him in their arms and brought him gladly to the emperor like a precious offering (:) ἐν τῷ ἀσφαλεῖ καταστάς, ἐμοῦ παρὰ τοὺς ἄλλους ἐφρόντισε Psellos: Chronographia VIIb 29.8-13
  • Immediately on seeing Michael 61, like one relieved after the storm he put into his hands decisions as to what to do (:) ὥσπερ ἀναπνέει τοῦ κλύδωνος Psellos: Chronographia VIIb 29.13-15
  • He refused to exile Eudokia 1, as Michael 61 knows and would guarantee to all with God as his witness; but circumstances compelled it and conflicted with his will (:) τοῦ μὲν βασιλέως καὶ παιδός ... ἀπαρνουμένου τὴν τῆς μητρὸς ἐκδημίαν Psellos: Chronographia VIIb 30.8-11
  • Took care of state affairs as he wished, brought the senators to his side by granting them honours, and spoke in the usual way to the people promising much and saying that he ascended his father's throne through God's will (:) ὡς τὴν πατρῴαν βασιλείαν ψήφῳ θεοῦ εἰς ἑαυτὸν ἀνεκτήσατο Attaleiates: History 169.14-20 / 125.22-126.2
  • Was appointed emperor in place of the humiliated Romanos 4 (: ) William of Tyre bk. 1, 9.42
  • When he reached manhood with the makings of a beard, he allied himself with his uncle Ioannes 62 the kaisar, as well as officials and generals; he placed himself on the throne and removed his mother Eudokia 1from power against her will, tonsured her and made her a nun (:) Manasses, Chronicle 6510-6520
Michael Psellos (named Konstantinos till tonsure in 1054) (Michael 61)
  • Eudokia 1 entered the lair and he guarded its entrance, not knowing what to do or where to turn (:) οὐκ ἔχων ὅ τι γενοίμην, οὐδ’ ὅποι τραποίμην Psellos: Chronographia VIIb 29.6-8
  • Once secure, Michael 7 thought first of all of him and sent messengers all over the palace to search him out; finding him they took him in their arms and brought him to the emperor gladly like a precious offering (:) ἀνελάβοντο ταῖς χερσίν, καὶ ὥσπερ το ἕρμαιον ἢ ἀνάθημα πολυτίμητον τῷ αὐτοκράτορι ... Psellos: Chronographia VIIb 29. 8-13
  • Immediately on seeing him, like one relieved after the storm Michael 7 put into his hands decisions as to what to do; he occupied himself with affairs of state, administering and organising so that the City might ride the storm (:) ἐπ’ ἐμοὶ τίθεται βουλεύεσθαι τὰ συμφέροντα Psellos: Chronographia VIIb 29.13-30.3
  • Those with Eudokia 1, Psellos included, not knowing what was going on, were petrified, thinking that danger was upon them; she was not herself but veiled her head and fled to an impenetrable crypt (:) ὧν δὴ καὶ αὐτὸς ἐτύγχανον ὤν Psellos: Chronographia VIIb 29.1-6
Emperor Romanos IV Diogenes (Romanos 4)
  • Michael 7, fearing for himself and distrusting Romanos' cruelty, devised the safest plan, which was also the most intelligent: Michael dissociated himself from Eudokia 1 and became his own master (:) Psellos: Chronographia VIIb 28.1-5