raised it, he would have been less angry at first, but would have resented you more for it later. Now he will blame me, and over time he will rationalize that you had nothing to do with the decision.”
Constantine had not considered this. Sphrantzes was shrewd. He often disliked him, but in the end his decisions were usually the best ones. He calmed down.
“As usual you see more than all of us Sphrantzes. Still, you should tell me ahead of time when you are springing one of your plans. I could have been prepared for the action and reconciled myself without having such a surprise.”
“Again my Lord, I thought genuine surprise would be better than requiring you to act. However you are right. You are Lord and Master here and I presumed to act on my own accord.”
“I suppose at the end of the day I cannot be mad at you. If we had the armies and wealth of old we would not have to devour ourselves in desperation to seek any minor advantage. The people already hate me for the Union. Why shouldn’t I anger my closest friends as well?”
“We shall endure my Lord. And when this is over, we will not have to compromise for anyone.”
The decision was announced throughout the city the next day. As Sphrantzes had predicted, the Genoans were delighted. They confirmed the decision to allow the sea chain to connect to the walls of Galata. They also offered private support and resources. Unfortunately, the smaller city across the horn decided it had to maintain neutrality, at least officially.
Venetians and Genoans were notoriously at odds with one another, and the Venetians reacted very differently. A delegation including the Bailey, the official representative of the Venetian government came to Constantine, complaining about this official snuff of their importance and contributions. The Venetians and Genoans were notoriously at odds with one another. The following day, a small fleet with 800 Venetians fled the city, heading for home. Fortunately, that was the end of the row. The remaining citizens of Venice pledged their support to Constantine, and agreed reluctantly to work with Giovanni.
The Greeks were also unhappy with the decision and Constantine could feel another strand connecting him to his people severed in the name of need. He accepted this strain, like the tension over the Union, with the same stoic fortitude. If the city was attacked, and did survive, he was sure all would be forgiven. If the city fell, it would not matter.
SUNDAY APRIL 1, 1453 (Easter)
Constantine woke exhausted. He shivered despite numerous blankets and Zophia’s warmth next to him. He felt a slight tremble in the bed. The trembling increased and he realized it was another earthquake. He woke Zophia and pulled her out of the bed. They ran across the room and fell, naked, under a heavy table. The rumbling increased, a clay pitcher fell off the table and crashed to the floor. Zophia held tightly on to Constantine. After about a minute, the trembling subsided and they were able to come out.
“Why are we having these earthquakes Constantine? What can they mean?”
The Emperor was unsure. Earthquakes were unusual in the city, but this winter and early spring had hosted many. The weather was also unusual for spring, cold and rainy. He knew the deeply religious people saw these unusual patterns as terrible omens. He had even heard that some blamed him for the city’s ill luck, because of the Union of the churches. Could it be his fault? What did God want from him? Was he to do nothing to save the city? If not, why was he put in this position? Was he simply cursed?
“I do not know what they mean, Zophia. At such a time as this, I think we have to look at our blessings.” He smiled and kissed her. “There certainly is enough bad to worry about. I thank God for the primary blessing in my life, which of course is you.”
She smiled back. “I agree. I’ve prayed all winter to the Virgin and to God that we would make it to this Easter morning.
Constantine had not considered this. Sphrantzes was shrewd. He often disliked him, but in the end his decisions were usually the best ones. He calmed down.
“As usual you see more than all of us Sphrantzes. Still, you should tell me ahead of time when you are springing one of your plans. I could have been prepared for the action and reconciled myself without having such a surprise.”
“Again my Lord, I thought genuine surprise would be better than requiring you to act. However you are right. You are Lord and Master here and I presumed to act on my own accord.”
“I suppose at the end of the day I cannot be mad at you. If we had the armies and wealth of old we would not have to devour ourselves in desperation to seek any minor advantage. The people already hate me for the Union. Why shouldn’t I anger my closest friends as well?”
“We shall endure my Lord. And when this is over, we will not have to compromise for anyone.”
The decision was announced throughout the city the next day. As Sphrantzes had predicted, the Genoans were delighted. They confirmed the decision to allow the sea chain to connect to the walls of Galata. They also offered private support and resources. Unfortunately, the smaller city across the horn decided it had to maintain neutrality, at least officially.
Venetians and Genoans were notoriously at odds with one another, and the Venetians reacted very differently. A delegation including the Bailey, the official representative of the Venetian government came to Constantine, complaining about this official snuff of their importance and contributions. The Venetians and Genoans were notoriously at odds with one another. The following day, a small fleet with 800 Venetians fled the city, heading for home. Fortunately, that was the end of the row. The remaining citizens of Venice pledged their support to Constantine, and agreed reluctantly to work with Giovanni.
The Greeks were also unhappy with the decision and Constantine could feel another strand connecting him to his people severed in the name of need. He accepted this strain, like the tension over the Union, with the same stoic fortitude. If the city was attacked, and did survive, he was sure all would be forgiven. If the city fell, it would not matter.
SUNDAY APRIL 1, 1453 (Easter)
Constantine woke exhausted. He shivered despite numerous blankets and Zophia’s warmth next to him. He felt a slight tremble in the bed. The trembling increased and he realized it was another earthquake. He woke Zophia and pulled her out of the bed. They ran across the room and fell, naked, under a heavy table. The rumbling increased, a clay pitcher fell off the table and crashed to the floor. Zophia held tightly on to Constantine. After about a minute, the trembling subsided and they were able to come out.
“Why are we having these earthquakes Constantine? What can they mean?”
The Emperor was unsure. Earthquakes were unusual in the city, but this winter and early spring had hosted many. The weather was also unusual for spring, cold and rainy. He knew the deeply religious people saw these unusual patterns as terrible omens. He had even heard that some blamed him for the city’s ill luck, because of the Union of the churches. Could it be his fault? What did God want from him? Was he to do nothing to save the city? If not, why was he put in this position? Was he simply cursed?
“I do not know what they mean, Zophia. At such a time as this, I think we have to look at our blessings.” He smiled and kissed her. “There certainly is enough bad to worry about. I thank God for the primary blessing in my life, which of course is you.”
She smiled back. “I agree. I’ve prayed all winter to the Virgin and to God that we would make it to this Easter morning.
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