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 Certainty: 1
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 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 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
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
On news of the troubles in the capital, the three imperial ambassadors assured Isaakios Komnenos under oath of the support he enjoyed among the population of Constantinople, and that the latter would drive out the old Michael VI if he merely approached the city, where he would be eagerly welcomed. Though encouraged by this, Isaakios decided to wait until assured that the old man really had been removed
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 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
Katakalon Kekaumenos was congratulated as a brave monk, fighting on many fronts, that he had lost to the emperor of this world money to be repaid many times in the next. He was also told of the noble failure of his man (in demanding his salary as kouropalates), despite his hard work. He had done his best, putting pressure in every way on Konstantinos X, Konstantinos Leichoudes the patriarch and especially Psellos himself. But circumstances were against him, and he would have left early had Psellos not kept him till the right time
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
Unassigned Activities
(Konstantinos 9) Monomachos both handed over care of the Mangana and entrusted the documents concerning its freedom to him
πρόνοιαν Zonaras 18.5.9
He did not ask Michael 61 for an ambitious work but a summary one: so for him he has omitted from his history many things worth telling [unnamed]
οὐ γάρ με τὴν συγγραφήν, φίλτατε πάντων ἀνδρῶν, φιλοτιμοτέραν, ἀλλὰ κεφαλαιωδεστέραν ἀπῄτησας Psellos: Chronographia VI 73.6-8