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
When Konstantinos IX became emperor, he felt that it was time to relax from the pressures of his exile. He was very willing to pass the imperial duties to others, especially Konstantinos Leichoudes, in whose hands the empire prospered. Leichoudes gradually became prominent and was elevated to the most conspicuous position in the empire (mesazon). He would often give the impression in public that he was consulting the emperor, when in fact he was not. But then Monomachos became jealous and, as if the empire had been transferred to Leichoudes, was unable to bear it
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
Some days after the battle of Polemon/Hades, Michael Psellos was asked by Michael VI to go on an embassy to Isaakios (I) Komnenos at Nikomedia. His first reaction was negative: Isaakios, after winning the battle, would be in no mood for compromise, and dicussions now might make things harder in the future. Michael VI assumed his refusal was due to cowardice or disloyalty. Psellos then said that to persuade him, Michael should add another prominent senator to the embassy, to make it less of a private affair, and suggested Theodoros (Leon) Alopos. Michael accepted the proposal, as did Theodoros. The two ambassadors chose a third, Konstantinos Leichoudes. They equipped themselves with letters from Michael to Isaakios, offering to adopt him as a son, give him the dignity of kaisar, and an amnesty to his supporters
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 Certainty: 2
1058
Certainty: 2 Psellos was seriously ill, interrupting his visits to the emperor & the business he was doing for suppliants
Four letters mention what maybe was the same serious illness. Two were to close friends, one perhaps Ioannes Mauropous. In that, he said the sickness began with sudden cold at the heart, then spread everywhere, especially the head, making him think of death, which he and his friend had not yet studied. Now pain had stopped, but fever and exhaustion continued, to the alarm of observers; he still ate only under compulsion, but was now on the side of the living. In the other, he said that God had saved him after a long fever, and that the symptoms (heart pain, headache, breathing problems, a stitch in his side and fever), had all disappeared, so he expected complete recovery. In both letters he thought of his tomb at Horaia Pege, and in the second his correspondent seems to be near there. The other two letters give headaches which kept him away from court as a reason for delay in executing business. The krites of Paphlagonia was told to have faith in his friend Michael, although he had hardly yet begun work. The krites of Charsianon was told that winter had improved Psellos' health, and that he would approach the emperor via Leichoudes, the only effective route; the krites too should write humbly to Leichoudes
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
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 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 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 Certainty: 3
Certainty: 1 Psellos sent festal gifts to the families of Konstantinos X, Ioannes kaisar & the patriarch; letters often explore symbolism Certainty: 1