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
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
When the assembly broke up, Isaakios received Psellos, Leichoudes and Alopos in private. He asked for, and was given, sworn assurances that a private message would be conveyed secretly to Michael VI. He said he was content for now to be kaisar, but asked for a promise that Michael VI would leave the empire to him, confirm promotions already made, and allow him to give other posts. He asked, for his men, that Leon Paraspondylos be removed from government, as formerly hostile and now suspected. He asked the envoys to dine with him, and they admired his manners which were not tyrannical, but very friendly. He said he asked concessions for his men, not himself. If they were granted he would go at once to Michael VI and honour him as emperor and father, coming without suspicions, arriving on the third day with a small bodyguard, not seeking a lavish reception. But as his men did not want agreement, he would write two letters, one for his men to read, one secret for Michael VI. At dawn they received his second letter secretly and sailed for Byzantium, reaching the palace harbour at daybreak
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 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 Certainty: 2
1059
Certainty: 2 Appointment of Konstantinos Leichoudes as patriarch
The proedros and protovestiarios Konstantinos Leichoudes was appointed patriarch after the death of Keroularios. Leichoudes was a good enough churchman to silence criticisms and do honour to his predecessor. Psellos predicted the appointment, for Leichoudes seemed to have prepared himself for this moment. Knowing him as a man and civilian administrator, Psellos was not surprised that he proved an excellent patriarch, sympathetic and never angry. But Leichoudes' consecration was delayed by Isaakios I while the synod investigated rumours against him. Isaakios' price for removal of this hindrance was for Leichoudes to hand over his control of the Mangana, which, after consideration, he did. From then on there was no problem
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
Konstantinos Leichoudes sent Psellos a fish. It made Psellos think of him as an old friend who had rejected him and still excluded him, as the serpent still spread its poison, so that he had nearly forgotten his appearance. If this was this the fish superior to all others, it was a good picture of the sender. He wondered whether the fish meant reconciliation, for which he devoutly wished. He would cross any barrier, slay any beast, and roar like a lion to end his exclusion
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 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