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
Among all the building projects of Konstantinos IX the one he preferred most was the monastery in which the church of Hagios Georgios (of Mangana) was built. It was augmented by the construction of imperial apartments, to which he also added a hospital. He spent unsparingly from the public purse on its construction, building and pulling down parts and building them again, so that he ran out of resources and had to invent all sorts of fraudulent ways to exact money. Konstantinos Leichoudes had (perhaps only later?) a role in the management of the complex
Certainty: 2 Siege of Constantinople by Leon Tornikios, who won several skirmishes Certainty: 2
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
As Esaïas left the city Psellos sympathised with him, as he was likely to suffer badly. But when he found protection from Konstantinos Leichoudes he rejoiced with him, since he would be healed and consoled. Psellos wrote to Leichoudes about his own desperate state (on Olympos?), where he had no other confidant but the parakoimomenos, on whom he relied a great deal. He too needed Leichoudes' help, as he was far away and suffering family problems. He had no news but rumours, and hoped that Leichoudes would prosper and save him
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 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 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
Konstantinos Leichoudes organised a ceremony on the anniversary of the death of Michael Keroularios. It took place at his tomb, with Psellos as speaker. Psellos made extensive use of the conventions of hagiography, especially for the end of the patriarch's life, after his arrest by Isaakios I. He described Konstantinos X and Eudokia as present, on opposite sides of the tomb. The writer's stance is that of an eye-witness who has pondered and reconsidered Keroularios' actions, finding them masterful
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
If Psellos had as much power as affection, a krites he supported would long ago have escaped his troubles. Once determined to help him, Psellos began to work on Konstantinos X (who was already favourable), directly and via Konstantinos Leichoudes the patriarch. But then plausible and malicious charges intervened, made by clever men against the krites to turn the emperor against him. This situation would soon improve as times changed again
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