Certainty: 2 Konstantinos Leichoudes' talents were used by Michael V in his brief reign
The later mesazon and patriarch Konstantinos Leichoudes' talents were used by the inexperienced Michael V after the death of Michael IV. But by divine will Michael's reign was short
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
Konstantinos IX had appointed Konstantinos Leichoudes as his mesazon, giving him supreme power. But he gradually came to envy and resent him. Leichoudes often refused to do what he wanted, especially if it was unjust or improper. Psellos warned Leichoudes of the signs of imperial jealousy, but Leichoudes refused to compromise. The emperor, equally uncompromising, turned a deaf ear to all opposition and removed him. Psellos, though a supporter of Konstantinos IX, could not approve of his dismissal of Leichoudes. Ioannes the logothetes was appointed paradynasteuon by the emperor to replace Leichoudes, and designated foremost of all those in the senate. Konstantinos behaved in a puerile way towards him, calling him his 'sweetest boy', and admiring everything he did as nearly divine
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 Certainty: 2
Certainty: 3 Isaakios Komnenos entered city in triumph; he was crowned & proclaimed emperor by patriarch
[Psellos provides privileged access to the private beginnings of a day of public celebration, suspect like all his claims to be close to emperors]. Everyone was ordered to prepare to move to the City. Psellos spent an anxious night, expecting to be killed. Before sunrise Isaakios suddenly rode out on horseback. The three imperial ambassadors followed him, sat with him during the preparations, and in a way legitimised his taking of power. Psellos and Isaakios discussed the conduct of the embassy, the fickleness of fortune, the best way to rule, and then he revealed his plans to all the ambassadors. Psellos received promotion to proedros. As the sun reached its zenith, the imperial galley appeared. Isaakios, strewn with flowers and amidst loud applause, embarked and crossed with the fleet to Constantinople. He entered the city acclaimed with shouts, trumpets and other instruments, and was received at the palace late in the afternoon. The city population and many from outside the city, turned out in force, with extravagant celebrations. With a large escort he made a splendid procession to Hagia Sophia, received the crown from the hands of the patriarch Michael Keroularios and left the church wearing it. [Sources differ whether the coronation took place on the same day, or on the morrow.]
Certainty: 2 Konstantinos Leichoudes was given a major administrative role by Isaakios I
During the reign of Michael VI, Leichoudes took an advisory, not an administrative role. However Isaakios I, wishing to rule scientifically, chose Leichoudes as his chief administrator, admiring his maturity and ability despite criticism of his reliance on old, maybe outmoded, methods. But Isaakios did not know how to treat him, being rather intransigent
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 Certainty: 2
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 Certainty: 2
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 Certainty: 2
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 Certainty: 1
Certainty: 1 The patriarch Konstantinos Leichoudes made the rules of the convent he had founded more & more strict
Konstantinos Leichoudes made strict rules to govern the convent he had founded. As time went on he made the rules stricter still, reducing luxury and comfort and giving money to the poor
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 Certainty: 3
Certainty: 1 Psellos sent festal gifts to the families of Konstantinos X, Ioannes kaisar & the patriarch; letters often explore symbolism Certainty: 1