Page:The Fall of Constantinople.djvu/98

 80 THE FALL OF CONSTANTINOPLE. determined to become emperor. He was an old man, was infirm, and apparently would have been content to have had the government of the empire in his own hands while leaving the young emperor on the throne. In order, however, to make his position the stronger, he ardently desired the mar- riage of Alexis to his own daughter Irene. As, however, they were second cousins, such a marriage was against the laws of the Church. lie called a council and submitted to it the question whether a marriage, which would do much to the reconciliation of the East and the West, and would produce other public benefits, could be celebrated, although it was, as he suggested, to some extent against the law of the Church. The patriarch and other ecclesiastics opposed, but were out- voted, and the patriarch retired to the small island of Tere- binth, opposite Prinkipo. Though authorization was obtained from a new patriarch, the marriage was never celebrated, Andronicos probably having already decided to make himself emperor. It was during this time, as we have already seen, that the r„u „,,. Turks took advantasje of the troubles in the capital The Turks at- ° ^ tack the em- to rcucw their attacks. Manuel had kept them fair- pire. . ^ ly quiet even up to the time of his death, but the instant the capital was divided against itself the Sultan of Iconium recommenced war. On the borders of his territory John Comnenos had declared against Andronicos. A well- tried soldier was sent against him, but Jolm, from the bed where he was dying, directed his two sons how to order the battle, and won it. A few days after his death the people of Philadelphia, near which the contest had taken place, surren- dered, and the two sons of John sought refuge with the sul- tan. Shortly after, however, in attempting to reach Sicily, they were captured, and by order of Andronicos their eyes were put out. After having removed from the court all the persons wliom he distrusted, Andronicos caused Alexis to be prcps brought crowucd for tlic sccoud time in the Great Church. Once more the pretender shed tears and made pro- fessions of his affection for his cousin. Immediately after-