The perfect white clouds began to drift apart over the land of Thrace, and from above one would be able to see a great city of wood & stone buildings, cobbled streets and green gardens. The white marble of the great buildings with their many columns, domes and arcs glittered in the sunlight. For miles it spread, surrounded by great double stone walls, and on the shores of the sea of Marmarra, great wharfs and docks bustled with activity as merchants and boats sailed in and out.
This was Constantinople in the year 1433, greatest city of all Europe. There was something of great importance occurring on the 19th of July, and people lined the streets and boulevards of the city, cheering. In the great gardens around the Hagia Sofia, Byzantine Soldiers lined the road to the restored church. People where standing behind them, and all around drums where beating and trumpets where sounding. The Hagia Sofia was more magnificent then ever, rebuilt as a great church. After the original design was rebuilt, Roman arcs and pillars where built around it, and 4 Turkish style minarets where built around it, to symbolise the Empires reconciliation with the Turks, who after being initially hated by the Byzantines, they had been accepted by their Kings policy of reconciliation. Racist attacks had stopped and Many Turks now lived together with the Greeks, and many had moved into the cities. Constantinople’s Population had boomed again, and 50000 people now called it home. The economy had been revived, and the Empires debts paid off, and the city was greater then perhaps Rome had been. The armed forces of the Empire had been rebuilt, and the Whole of the Aegean seaboard and Greece was under Byzantine control.
This was another Golden age for Byzantium, and the Man who had made it possible was now inside the great Hagia Sofia, where he was to officially receive the Title of Roman Emperor, for as of yet, he had be called merely King, although never officially crowned. The populace gave their unwavering support to him, for this man had made this corner of the world a better place for all to live in.
Konstantinos Dragases Palaeologus walked slowly along the aisle of the great hall inside the church, flanked by Nobles and citizens from the city who all stood from their seats as he began to walk along it. The King of Serbia Djuradj I was there, and so was Albert V of Austria. Representatives from all surrounding Orthodox nations where there to represent their country, and the Orthodox patriarchs from around the Mediterranean had travelled to be there. Konstanisos looked incredibly regal. He wore a great royal red cape with white dotted fur around its edges, and a golden and white robe underneath bearing marvellous patterns of Byzantine art. Drums where beaten and trumpets played great tunes of Royalty. A choir sung on balconies upon either side of the hall. Konstantinos continued to walk up the aisle, but he was not serious, he was in fact smiling, but out of happiness. Behind him walked his Generals Alex Diogenes and Prince Demetrios. With great cape trailing, he made it to the steps leading to the altar where the Patriarch of Constantinople was waiting for him. His Generals broke off and stood with the other guests. The Trumpets drums and the choir finished their tunes, and all fell silent and sat down.
Konstantinos knelt before the Patriarch and bowed his head. The Patriarch began to speak in Latin, blessing Konstantinos and asking Question such as, "will you be a good ruler, and govern wisely for your people?" and Konstantinos would answer in Latin "Yes". The Ceremony went on for quite some time, before finally the Patriarch beckoned him to rise, and from the altar behind him he took the orb and sceptre in his hand, and they where given to Konstantinos who held them, and then he reached for the crown. The Crown of Byzantium that Konstantinos had fought for was a round golden circle with magnificent spikes around it. It looked much like any crown of and European king, but it was encrusted with jewels and great designs and patterns. The Patriarch lifted the crown up and Konstantinos closed his eyes as it was placed on his head.
There was a brief silence before the Patriarch said aloud "In the Name of God almighty, I crown thee Constantine XI, Emperor of Rome! All rise!" The gusts rose from their seats and the music started up again in triumphant chorus. Konstantinos turned began to walk back down the aisle. His generals and Prince Demetrios followed suit. At length the Hagia Sofia was exited, and as Konstantinos walked through the great doorway, he was blinded by the rays of the sun against the blue sky, and deafened by a great roar from the crowed outside. Enthusiastically they cheered and cried aloud, chanting his name over and over. It was so overwhelming; a tear was brought to Konstantinos's eye. Konstantinos raised his arm and waved around the crowd as trumpets continued to sound.
Smiling in gratitude he saluted his people, he handed the orb and sceptre to Demetrios and made for his horse. He mounted and his cloak hung over the back of the horse. Diogenes, Alex and Demtrios mounted horses behind him and they all began to trot off down the road followed by the royal train of heralds. Royalty from other nations and more important dignitaries followed in the train. These Where the Heroes of Rome, and Konstantinos and his generals waved to people as they wound through the park on the road. The park ended and they entered the streets of the city which where also full with people, and guards struggling to keep them from the road. Everywhere Konstantinos went, Music sounded up and people would cheer. His face was covered in tears now, and he cried openly in happines. All through the city they rode, until finally they came to the Forum, where the Emperors palace lay. They passed under the magnificent arc into the Forum, and then stopped. Konstantinos gave his people one last salute before they continued towards the palace. It was a day Konstantinos, nay the Empire would never forget. Afterwards came the reception in the palace, attended by the nobility of the Empire, and the Kings and Emissaries of nearby nations. There was feasting, Byzantine dancing and music.
In the dying light of the day, Konstantinos had slipped away from the party, and went to one of the balconies of his palace. He looked over the city into the colourful sunset, which reflected on the glittering sea of Marmarra. This great city of arts, music, culture, learning and tolerance was a wonder of the ages. Indeed the Legacy of Rome had endured, and the Empire was gaining more and more power and influence. All was well he thought, for it was.
............But for how long?............
This was Constantinople in the year 1433, greatest city of all Europe. There was something of great importance occurring on the 19th of July, and people lined the streets and boulevards of the city, cheering. In the great gardens around the Hagia Sofia, Byzantine Soldiers lined the road to the restored church. People where standing behind them, and all around drums where beating and trumpets where sounding. The Hagia Sofia was more magnificent then ever, rebuilt as a great church. After the original design was rebuilt, Roman arcs and pillars where built around it, and 4 Turkish style minarets where built around it, to symbolise the Empires reconciliation with the Turks, who after being initially hated by the Byzantines, they had been accepted by their Kings policy of reconciliation. Racist attacks had stopped and Many Turks now lived together with the Greeks, and many had moved into the cities. Constantinople’s Population had boomed again, and 50000 people now called it home. The economy had been revived, and the Empires debts paid off, and the city was greater then perhaps Rome had been. The armed forces of the Empire had been rebuilt, and the Whole of the Aegean seaboard and Greece was under Byzantine control.
This was another Golden age for Byzantium, and the Man who had made it possible was now inside the great Hagia Sofia, where he was to officially receive the Title of Roman Emperor, for as of yet, he had be called merely King, although never officially crowned. The populace gave their unwavering support to him, for this man had made this corner of the world a better place for all to live in.
Konstantinos Dragases Palaeologus walked slowly along the aisle of the great hall inside the church, flanked by Nobles and citizens from the city who all stood from their seats as he began to walk along it. The King of Serbia Djuradj I was there, and so was Albert V of Austria. Representatives from all surrounding Orthodox nations where there to represent their country, and the Orthodox patriarchs from around the Mediterranean had travelled to be there. Konstanisos looked incredibly regal. He wore a great royal red cape with white dotted fur around its edges, and a golden and white robe underneath bearing marvellous patterns of Byzantine art. Drums where beaten and trumpets played great tunes of Royalty. A choir sung on balconies upon either side of the hall. Konstantinos continued to walk up the aisle, but he was not serious, he was in fact smiling, but out of happiness. Behind him walked his Generals Alex Diogenes and Prince Demetrios. With great cape trailing, he made it to the steps leading to the altar where the Patriarch of Constantinople was waiting for him. His Generals broke off and stood with the other guests. The Trumpets drums and the choir finished their tunes, and all fell silent and sat down.
Konstantinos knelt before the Patriarch and bowed his head. The Patriarch began to speak in Latin, blessing Konstantinos and asking Question such as, "will you be a good ruler, and govern wisely for your people?" and Konstantinos would answer in Latin "Yes". The Ceremony went on for quite some time, before finally the Patriarch beckoned him to rise, and from the altar behind him he took the orb and sceptre in his hand, and they where given to Konstantinos who held them, and then he reached for the crown. The Crown of Byzantium that Konstantinos had fought for was a round golden circle with magnificent spikes around it. It looked much like any crown of and European king, but it was encrusted with jewels and great designs and patterns. The Patriarch lifted the crown up and Konstantinos closed his eyes as it was placed on his head.
There was a brief silence before the Patriarch said aloud "In the Name of God almighty, I crown thee Constantine XI, Emperor of Rome! All rise!" The gusts rose from their seats and the music started up again in triumphant chorus. Konstantinos turned began to walk back down the aisle. His generals and Prince Demetrios followed suit. At length the Hagia Sofia was exited, and as Konstantinos walked through the great doorway, he was blinded by the rays of the sun against the blue sky, and deafened by a great roar from the crowed outside. Enthusiastically they cheered and cried aloud, chanting his name over and over. It was so overwhelming; a tear was brought to Konstantinos's eye. Konstantinos raised his arm and waved around the crowd as trumpets continued to sound.
Smiling in gratitude he saluted his people, he handed the orb and sceptre to Demetrios and made for his horse. He mounted and his cloak hung over the back of the horse. Diogenes, Alex and Demtrios mounted horses behind him and they all began to trot off down the road followed by the royal train of heralds. Royalty from other nations and more important dignitaries followed in the train. These Where the Heroes of Rome, and Konstantinos and his generals waved to people as they wound through the park on the road. The park ended and they entered the streets of the city which where also full with people, and guards struggling to keep them from the road. Everywhere Konstantinos went, Music sounded up and people would cheer. His face was covered in tears now, and he cried openly in happines. All through the city they rode, until finally they came to the Forum, where the Emperors palace lay. They passed under the magnificent arc into the Forum, and then stopped. Konstantinos gave his people one last salute before they continued towards the palace. It was a day Konstantinos, nay the Empire would never forget. Afterwards came the reception in the palace, attended by the nobility of the Empire, and the Kings and Emissaries of nearby nations. There was feasting, Byzantine dancing and music.
In the dying light of the day, Konstantinos had slipped away from the party, and went to one of the balconies of his palace. He looked over the city into the colourful sunset, which reflected on the glittering sea of Marmarra. This great city of arts, music, culture, learning and tolerance was a wonder of the ages. Indeed the Legacy of Rome had endured, and the Empire was gaining more and more power and influence. All was well he thought, for it was.
............But for how long?............
