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 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 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
The three envoys, Psellos, Theodoros Alopos and Konstantinos Leichoudes, left the City by ship and, after assurances of safety and good treatment, landed near Isaakios' camp at Nikomedia. They were greeted by leaders of his army who regretted the bloodshed of the civil war. Isaakios welcomed them briefly and dismissed them to their tents. The next morning they were summoned early to a huge tent surrounded by the army drawn up rank upon rank. Isaakios' brother Ioannes was the captain of this guard, standing at the door of the tent. He suddenly admitted them, to surprise them by the sight within. They entered amidst deafening acclamations of Isaakios. He sat impressively inside on a raised gold couch in a magnificent robe. Then he came to himself, signalled them to enter and move to the left. When they passed the first and second circles of men and were quite close he asked preliminary questions. Satisfied with their replies, in a louder voice he ordered one of them to turn, stand in the middle, hand over their letter and speak their message. The other two ambassadors pressed Psellos to do this, and he agreed, suppressing his fears
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
Psellos, Leichoudes and Alopos returned to the elderly Michael VI with the letters of Isaakios (I) and also communicating orally what he said to them in secret. Michael listened, read the letters and agreed to everything, swearing an oath that Isaakios should have a crown and imperial tent and share his power. He not only undertook to leave the empire to Isaakios, but even secretly promised soon to make Isaakios a partner in power, but not at once, as he feared the people and senate and would delay to avoid trouble. They must convey this message at once to Isaakios with equal secrecy
Certainty: 2 Second embassy to Isaakios (I) came close to agreement on settlement
Psellos, Leichoudes and Alopos took Michael VI's letter to Isaakios (I). He had read aloud and his comrades were pleased he had been more concerned for them than for himself. All agreed that usurpation must be abandoned. They applauded together Michael VI's offer [in Skylitzes they demanded a chrysobull confirming promises made, while Katakalon Kekaumenos disagreed, and argued his own case succesfully]. They were particularly pleased that Leon Paraspondylos would leave the government. Isaakios at once became inspired and ordered his men to disband and regroup when his affairs were in order. He ordered the thee ambassadors to return to meet him, place him in their midst and escort him to Michael VI. The second embassy was successful and the ambassadors felt great pleasure to have made a contribution to their country in words and wisdom. They prepared to leave Isaakios next day. [The reconciliation was broken in most sources by news of the revolt in Constantinople, though Skylitzes gave prominence to the role of Katakalon Kekaumenos, as he often does]
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 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