Tag Archives: Constantinople

“Better Turks than Latins!” – The Aftermath and the New City

Posted on May 31, 2020 by

Mehmet had now achieved the goal that for centuries had been the sacred duty of the faithful to capture the Christian capital. Born during a plague that had killed two of his brothers, he was the third son of a … Continue reading →

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BBC’s Chronicle – The Fall of Constantinople

Posted on May 30, 2020 by

Here is a little gem and a blast from the past. John Julius Norwich (who wrote the excellent and accessible trilogy on the history of Byzantium) tells the dramatic story of the fall of Constantinople and the Byzantine Empire, followed … Continue reading →

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The Fall of Constantinople 29 May 1453

Posted on May 29, 2020 by

Having said his farewells and taken the sacrament I would like to think that Constantine was at peace. He had done all he could and fought bravely with this soldiers and allies. He must have realised on that warm May … Continue reading →

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The Final Hours and Last Eucharist

Posted on May 28, 2020 by

The fifth … We come now to the last hours of Byzantium. The defenders were weary after defending the city since April 5th. The Emperor’s hope lay with a relief fleet from Venice, but this had failed to appear. On … Continue reading →

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Move the Navy by Road!

Posted on May 27, 2020 by

Number four … As you know I have been away in Albania and Macedonia trying to walk (part) of the way to Byzantium. I have felt very bad about not posting but there was little time and even less internet … Continue reading →

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The Siege of Constantinople Begins

Posted on May 24, 2020 by

On this day, 5 April in 1453, the Ottoman Turkish Sultan, Mehmet I (1402-1421) arrived to join his army establishing its siege of Constantinople. Continue reading →

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‘Rise of Empires: Ottoman’: Release date, plot, cast and all you need to know about Netflix’s historical series

Posted on January 17, 2020 by

It appears that Netflix will be streaming this new series from 24 Jan 2020. The docuseries will chronicle the Fall of Constantinople and the end of the Byzantine Empire from the Ottoman perspective. In October 2018, Netflix greenlit the limited … Continue reading →

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Istanbul: A Tale of Three Cities by Bettany Hughes

Posted on February 4, 2017 by

The goddess is back with a remarkable history of our favourite city! Istanbul has always been a place where stories and histories collide and crackle, where the idea is as potent as the historical fact. From the Qu’ran to Shakespeare, … Continue reading →

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Turkey: Muslims demand right to pray at Hagia Sophia

Posted on June 16, 2016 by

Why can’t people just leave it is it stands? It has worked so far. Muslims in the Turkish city of Istanbul have gathered in front of the world-famous Hagia Sophia mosque which has been turned into a museum in the city of … Continue reading →

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SPBS Summer Lecture – Hellenic Centre London, 7 June

Posted on May 31, 2016 by

The Society for the Promotion of Byzantine Studies summer lecture will be held on 7 June 2016 at The Hellenic Centre, 16-18 Paddington St, London W1U 5AS. Professor Liz James will talk about: Material Faith: the mosaic of the Archangel … Continue reading →

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Days that live in Infamy: The Fall of Constantinople

Posted on May 29, 2014 by

Faced with the certainty of death it is said that experienced soldiers are ready to make that last leap into the fray, knowing that they have only one fate. A man schooled in princely duties such as Constantine XI Dragases … Continue reading →

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The Final Hours of Constantinople: the funeral oration of the Roman Empire

Posted on May 28, 2014 by

We come now to the last hours of Byzantium. The defenders were weary after defending the city since April 5th 1453. The Emperor’s hope lay with a relief fleet from Venice, but this had failed to appear. On 3 May … Continue reading →

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Istanbul Patriarchate purchases world’s third oldest church

Posted on September 18, 2012 by

The world’s reputedly third oldest church, the Byzantine Başmelekler Church, or Taksiyarhon Church, was purchased by the Istanbul patriarchate on Sept. 10, the head priest of Halki Seminary, Professor Elpidophoros Lambriniadis, has announced. First published in Hurriyet Daily News The … Continue reading →

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Historical novels from Marie Heese and Ross Laidlaw

Posted on June 30, 2012 by

I have just returned from walking Hadrian’s Wall – which I highly recommend – during which I decided to read some Roman historical fiction, and I thought I would share these books with you. by Tom Sawford I came across … Continue reading →

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BBC’s Chronicle – The Fall of Constantinople

Posted on May 29, 2012 by

Apologies for the repeat but I did not want you to think that I had forgotten this historic day. This video is well worth watching again, or even for the first time :-)…. Here is a little gem and a … Continue reading →

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