Page:The Fall of Constantinople.djvu/87

 DYNASTIC TROUBLES. (JO late emperor's sister and at the arrogance of the protosebastos. The mob, led by the priests, paraded the streets, declaring for the emperor and against the empress and her lover, and pillaging the houses of the partisans of the latter. Mean- time the emperor and the protosebastos determined to tear Maria out of Ilagia Sophia. An army was collected in the grand palace of Bucoleon, which adjoined the Great Church, and a point of attack was chosen. Maria Porphyrogenita was, on her side, no less active. By her advice a house was pulled down in order to give an advantage to her defenders, and a strong barrier for defence was hastily constructed. At the third hour of the day the attack commenced. A great number of the soldiers of Maria were wounded. The people outside had flocked to her assistance. Kew troops, however, came up and took possession of the streets leading to the cathedral. The fight continued to rage in and about it all the day, but at sun- set the discipline of the soldiers had gained an advantage for the protosebastos. The troops of Maria quitted the Augus- teon and the other buildings where they had fortified them- selves, and took possession of the porch of Hagia Sophia, over which stood the famous figure of Michael the Archangel. There they were safe, for the access to the building was up narrow streets, in which the emperor's troops fought at a great disadvantage. At this moment the patriarch, holding the Gos- pels in his hands, descended and came between the combatants. The csesar, on behalf of himself, his wife, and their following, claimed asylum, and declared that all that he and they were doing was in defence of the church. The patriarch undertook to negotiate with the protosebastos, and warned him of the dangers of violating sanctuary. Several persons were named to arrange terms, and it was agreed next day that Maria Porphyrogenita, her husband, and her followers should lay down their arms and an amnesty be granted. The struggle had shown that the populace was divided in its allegiance but strongly disinclined to favor the protose- bastos. The latter seems to have attributed a large portion of the blame to the patriarch, and he accordingly ordered him to withdraw to a monastery which he had built in the small