Alexios I, guilt-ridden for the conduct of his troops, confessed & did heartfelt penance

Summary:
Alexios I, as a well-brought up and god-fearing sovereign, suffered agonies of remorse and was deeply penitent about the damage done to Constantinople and its citizens during his entry, taking on himself the whole burden of guilt. He consulted Anna Dalassene, who embraced her son for his honesty. They decided together to put the matter in the hands of the patriarch Kosmas I and other leading churchmen.  
Dates:
1081 April 
Emperor Alexios I Komnenos (Alexios 1)
  • As a well-brought up and god-fearing sovereign, suffered agonies of remorse and was deeply penitent about the damage done to Constantinople and its citizens during his entry, taking on himself the whole burden of guilt (:) ἀνιώμενος ἐπὶ τῇ τῆς πόλεως προνομῇ, ἣν κατὰ τὴν εἰσέλευσιν αὐτοῦ πάντες πανδημεὶ ἐπεπόνθεισαν Anna Komnene 97.40-98.44
  • He, his blood-relations and others involved in sacking the city were condemned to fasting, sleeping on the ground and other penances; these were performed willingly, and the wives of the guilty shared the punishment; Alexios inflicted more pain on himself by wearing sackcloth next to his skin for forty days and nights (:) Anna Komnene 99.90-100.9
Anna Dalassene (Anna 61)
  • Was consulted by Alexios 1 in his remorse over the damage done to Constantinople and its people by his revolt and embraced him for his honesty; they decided together to put the matter in the hands of Kosmas 11 and other leading churchmen (:) Anna Komnene 99.78-80
Kosmas I, patriarch of Constantinople (Kosmas 11)
  • He and other leading churchmen were consulted by Alexios 1 and Anna 61 over penance for the damage done to the City and its citizens during the Komnenian capture; Alexios appeared before them like an imperial defendant, confessing everything (:) Anna Komnene 99.74-90
  • He and his colleagues condemned Alexios 1, his blood-relations and others involved in sacking the city to fasting, sleeping on the ground and other penances; these were performed willingly, and the wives of the guilty shared the punishment; Alexios inflicted more pain on himself (:) Anna Komnene 99.90-100.9