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
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 Certainty: 2
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
In a eulogy of Konstantinos Leichoudes, Psellos was very critical of Konstantinos IX for dismissing him. He said that the rest of the emperor's reign after the dismissal was a story of sickness and failure. Leichoudes succeded in keeping his independence, in spite of pressures to return
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
[Skylitzes' version] Although Isaakios (I) and his generals applauded Michael VI's offer to have Isaakios adopted and proclaimed co-emperor, Katakalon Kekaumenos disagreed, considering it wrong to allow the old emperor to stay on the throne. He objected to the abandonment of the oath taken to depose Michael VI, warning that if Isaakios were adopted by Michael VI, he would soon be poisoned and his supporters blinded. Men in a position to know said that he was approached secretly by the emperor's envoys, and urged to maintain these objections
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
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
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
[Psellos gives himself a very large role in the transition from Isaakios I to Konstantinos X, and there is no way of checking his account.] Konstantinos, summoned as Isaakios was apparently dying, stood blushing with his usual modesty. He was more saddened by Isaakios' illness than pleased at his own accession. Only Psellos dared array him in the imperial insignia, with the permission of the senate. He seated him on the imperial throne, put on the purple sandals, and other ceremonies for a new ruler followed. When Konstantinos saw Psellos leading the homage, he at once rose from the throne and embraced him. Later he asked him to make an appropriate speech. Konstantinos maintained this close relationship with Psellos
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
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 Certainty: 3
Certainty: 1 Psellos sent festal gifts to the families of Konstantinos X, Ioannes kaisar & the patriarch; letters often explore symbolism Certainty: 1