Byzantine Emperor John VI Kantakouzenos presiding over a synod, The Hesychast Council of Constantinople, 1351.

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Byzantine Emperor John VI Kantakouzenos presiding over a synod, The Hesychast Council of Constantinople, 1351.

A larger image of Byzantine Emperor John VI Kantakouzenos presiding over a synod, The Hesychast Council of Constantinople, 1351.

Manuscript of the collected Theological Works of John VI Kantakouzenos, Constantinople, 1370-75
paint on parchment
33.5 x 24 cm
Source.

Titre : Grec 1242
Auteur : JOANNES Cantacuzenus imp. Auteur du texte
Date d'édition : 1370-1375
Type : manuscrit
Langue : grec ancien
Format : Parchemin. - 437 feuillets. - Copié en 1370-1375 par Joasaph. - Peint. - Moyen format
Description : JOANNES Cantacuzenus imp. Adversus Prochorum antirrheticorum libri duo
Biblioteque Nationale de France, Paris, Ms. grec 1242, folio 5v.

Referenced on p.7, Byzantine Armies AD 1118-1461 by Ian Heath & Angus McBride
Emperor John VI Kantakouzenos presiding over an ecumenical council in 1351. Immediately behind the throne are eight Varangian Guards in gold-trimmed, boat-shaped white hats and blue gowns. In his Historiae Kantakouzenos mentions the 'Varangians with their axes' several times. Varangians in action at Eski Zagra in 1122 are recorded as 'armed with long shields and single-edged axes'.

Varangian Guard in Armies and Enemies of the Crusades 1096-1291 by Ian Heath.
a Varangian Guardsman in state dress from a portrait representing John VI in 1351; in this source hats are white with gold trim and tunics are blue.

Varangian Guard, 14th Century in Armies of the Middle Ages, Volume 2 by Ian Heath.
This figure is based chiefly on the last known contemporary picture of a Varangian, a ms. illustration of c.1370-75 depicting John VI Cantacuzene (1341-54) at an ecumenical council of 1351, surrounded by his guardsmen, of whom 8 are visible.
This figure appropriately enough wears court dress, composed of a blue uniform, probably with gold embroidery, and a boat-shaped white hat with gold trim that was typical of 14th-15th century court functionaries.