Certainty: 2 Konstantinos Leichoudes' talents were used by Michael V in his brief reign Certainty: 2
1043
Certainty: 1 Rise of Konstantinos Leichoudes to become the mesazon of Konstantinos IX Certainty: 1
1047
Certainty: 3 Dedication of monastery & hospital at Mangana by Konstantinos IX Certainty: 3
Certainty: 2 Siege of Constantinople by Leon Tornikios, who won several skirmishes
Leon Tornikios reached the city, hoping to take it at once, and camped opposite Blachernai near the monastery of Hagioi Anargyroi. He began with promises to the citizens, but failed, so he turned to action. The emperor had installed machines on the walls and brought in ammunition. He gathered and paid troops to man the walls. He had stationed outside the Blachernai gate fewer than 1000 soldiers, armed by the senate on his orders, protected by a ditch. Tornikios attacked and forced them to retreat so that the gates were thrown open for them. Had his men got inside, he would have been victorious, but luck failed him: the defenders re-occupied the gates. Some onlookers began to flee, but the emperor was steadfast, furious at the defeatism of his sister Helena (Euprepeia had been exiled before). Konstantinos Leichoudes supported the plan to fight Tornikios outside the walls (at Blachernai), opposing Argyros, who implored the emperor not to pit small forces against the experienced army of the rebel. To be seen alive by friend and foe, the emperor watched from the wall, clad in imperial robes, on a balcony of the palace with Theodora and Zoe. He endured fierce mockery from the Macedonians outside. He was grazed by an arrow which lodged in the conical helmet of a servant, terrifying bystanders, including Psellos. It was rumoured Konstantinos was dead, Theodora had taken over and chosen Tornikios as emperor. At the end of the day Konstantinos prophecied to Psellos that Tornikios' fortunes would decline from then on, though when he saw Tornikios stopping the killing he worried about the loss of divine favour
1050
Certainty: 2 Konstantinos IX dismissed Konstantinos Leichoudes in favour of Ioannes logothetes Certainty: 2
Certainty: 0 Konstantinos Leichoudes swore to rebuild the Church where his father would be buried Certainty: 0
1052
Certainty: 1 Konstantinos IX after dismissing Konstantinos Leichoudes, completed his reign in sickness & failure Certainty: 1
1054
Certainty: 2 Esaïas left the capital, but was given protection (to Psellos' joy) by Konstantinos Leichoudes Certainty: 2
1057
Certainty: 2 Psellos with 2 colleagues sent as ambassadors to Isaakios Komnenos at Nikomedia Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Michael VI's envoys splendidly received Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Secret response of Isaakios (I) to the ambassadors of Michael VI Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 The first embassy of Psellos & his colleagues, they say, was ignored Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Outcome of embassy to Isaakios (I) reported to Michael VI; reply to secret response Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Second embassy to Isaakios (I) came close to agreement on settlement Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Katakalon Kekaumenos convinced many rebels of dangers of settlement, & (secretly) the imperial ambassadors Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Ambassadors assured Isaakios (I) he was popular in Constantinople, which would revolt at his approach Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Second embassy to Isaakios Komnenos interrupted by news of revolt in Constantinople
The usurper Isaakios (I) and the three imperial envoys were resting at Reai after negotiating a compromise which would see Michael VI still emperor but Isaakios as kaisar with an active role to play. But this was overturned by events in the capital, narrated by a series of breathless messengers. First the occupant of the first tent in the camp reported that a messenger had newly reported from the City that rebels had created turmoil there, thrown the government into chaos and threatened peaceful citizens. They had got into Hagia Sophia, forced Keroularios to join them, and were shouting abuse at Michael VI in favour of Isaakios. Soon another messenger dramatically recounted the deposition of Michael VI, whom he had seen as emperor in the morning but later clad in a monk's robe. He reported the City's preparation: an imperial galley with torch-bearers was ready for Isaakios. Isaakios and the three envoys at first were incredulous. Two more messengers added to the confusion, till a third, a more educated man, convinced them of the truth of the news. Isaakios reacted calmly, ordering the envoys to remain quietly in their tents. He himself began his rule
Certainty: 3 Isaakios Komnenos entered city in triumph; he was crowned & proclaimed emperor by patriarch Certainty: 3
Certainty: 2 Konstantinos Leichoudes was given a major administrative role by Isaakios I Certainty: 2
1058
Certainty: 2 Psellos was seriously ill, interrupting his visits to the emperor & the business he was doing for suppliants Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Konstantinos Leichoudes was the only approach to Isaakios I: Psellos wrote to him for the krites of Charsianon & a poor suppliant
Psellos' Lenten devotions were interrupted by the complaints of a poor man at his gate, demanding a brief letter from him to Konstantinos Leichoudes, which he reluctantly wrote. He begged Leichoudes' pardon, but it might be better if the man spread praises in the city, not complaints. The krites of Charsianon was not easy to help. Psellos had received another letter from him with no information from the hospice, no details on what he had written to Isaakios I, nor an oral message, since Psellos had not even seen the letter-carrier. He told the krites to write humbly to Leichoudes, the only way to approach Isaakios I
1059
Certainty: 2 Appointment of Konstantinos Leichoudes as patriarch Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Leichoudes fell seriously ill as soon as he became patriarch - a worrying sign of possible divine disfavour
As soon as Konstantinos Leichoudes became patriarch he fell seriously ill with a feverish disease. This did not grieve him in itself or by the threat of death, but as a possible divine sign of unworthiness. Later he recovered, as Psellos foresaw in a night-time vision, in which Leichoudes chanted the liturgy for the Resurrection. When clearer portents were sought of the patriarch's recovery, mysterious sounds were heard and icons exuded incense
Certainty: 2 Leichoudes sent Psellos a fish, which the latter hoped meant that the friend who had rejected him was reconciled Certainty: 2
Certainty: 3 Abdication of Isaakios Komnenos Certainty: 3
Certainty: 3 Beginning of rule of Konstantinos X Certainty: 3
1060
Certainty: 2 Leichoudes honoured Keroularios at his tomb before Konstantinos X & Eudokia a year after his death Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Katakalon Kekaumenos as a monk was told to deal with the emperor himself over non-payment of his salary
Katakalon Kekaumenos wrote to Psellos and received a reply wishing him success as a monk. Psellos added that he should approach Konstantinos X over non-payment of his salary as kouropalates (which was not due to meanness). As the patriarch Konstantinos Leichoudes could not help, Katakalon must act for himself
Certainty: 1 Katakalon Kekaumenos was told that his man worked hard on emperor, patriarch & Psellos before admitting defeat Certainty: 1
1061
Certainty: 1 Provisional settlement of dispute between Vatopedi & Hagios Hypatios on Athos Certainty: 1
Certainty: 1 Trial of Konstantinos, nephew of Keroularios, for a capital offence
Konstantinos, nephew of Michael Keroularios, was on trial for a capital offence. Psellos wrote to him during the trial, afraid of losing a well-tested friend, weeping and consoling him. He had seen Konstantinos in court showing a clear conscience to the just chief judge and his colleagues. Psellos had wept to see Konstantinos' mother there, his wife and their children, who should soon get him back. The announcements and narrative of the kensor had greatly irritated him. Psellos also reported on the reactions of others: Konstantinos X was merciful and impartial, the empress Eudokia showed her pure goodness, the patriarch Leichoudes was very favourable, Ioannes Doukas the emperor's brother was too inflamed to weep (?), Nikephoros (the defendant's brother) was disturbing the nest of a viper, and Psellos himself was about to intervene in all possible ways. He sent best wishes to all Konstantinos' household, even his pastrycook and furnaceman. [The date must be after the death of Keroularios, in the reign of Konstantinos X, before the death of the patriarch Leichoudes; perhaps there is a connection with the Mangana conspiracy of 1060/1061)?]
Certainty: 1 The patriarch Konstantinos Leichoudes made the rules of the convent he had founded more & more strict Certainty: 1
1062
Certainty: 1 When Psellos tried to help a krites, he made progress at first in persuading Konstantinos X; but now slander had stopped him Certainty: 1
1063
Certainty: 3 Death of Konstantinos Leichoudes caused an outpouring of grief throughout the capital; then an interregnum
The death of Konstantinos Leichoudes affected the whole city. His funeral was the cause of an enormous outpouring of grief and admiration as people spoke of him in the most positive way and sought to benefit from proximity to his holy corpse. Psellos produced an encomium, blaming himself that he had not yet performed a similar duty for Ioannes Mauropous. There was a considerable interregnum till the search widened to include Olympos, then Ioannes Xiphilinos was appointed
Certainty: 1 Psellos sent festal gifts to the families of Konstantinos X, Ioannes kaisar & the patriarch; letters often explore symbolism Certainty: 1