On This Day
·

Byzantine Emperor Constantine XI is crowned at Mistra

Constantine XI Dragases Palaiologos or Dragaš Palaeologus was the last reigning Byzantine emperor from 23 January 1449 until his death in battle at the fall of Constantinople on 29 May 1453.

Constantine XI Dragases Palaiologos or Dragaš Palaeologus was the last reigning Byzantine emperor from 23 January 1449 until his death in battle at the fall of Constantinople on 29 May 1453. Constantine's death marked the definitive end of the Eastern Roman Empire, which traced its origin to Constantine the Great's foundation of Constantinople as the Roman Empire's new capital in 330.

Constantine was the fourth son of Emperor Manuel II Palaiologos and Serbian noblewoman Helena Dragaš. Little is known of his early life, but from the 1420s onward, he repeatedly demonstrated great skill as a military general. Based on his career and surviving contemporary sources, Constantine appears to have been primarily a soldier.

Historical Significance

Constantine XI Dragases Palaiologos or Dragaš Palaeologus was the last reigning Byzantine emperor from 23 January 1449 until his death in battle at the fall of Constantinople on 29 May 1453.

Events Before

  1. Christian I is crowned King of Denmark

    Christian I (Christiern I) (February 1426 – 21 May 1481) was a German noble and Scandinavian monarch under the Kalmar Union.

  2. First assembly of Catalan dioceses to choose their syndics (representative) to plead abolition of serfdom to King Alfons

    First assembly of Catalan dioceses to choose their syndics (representative) to plead abolition of serfdom to King Alfons IV - 1st official recognition of serfs organizing to defend their rights

  3. Second Battle of Kosovo, where the mainly Hungarian army led by John Hunyadi is defeated by an Ottoman army led by Sulta

    Second Battle of Kosovo, where the mainly Hungarian army led by John Hunyadi is defeated by an Ottoman army led by Sultan Murad II

  4. Bishop Jonah of Moscow chosen as the new Metropolitan of Kiev, for the first time by the bishops of Moscow not the Patri

    Bishop Jonah of Moscow chosen as the new Metropolitan of Kiev, for the first time by the bishops of Moscow not the Patriarch of Constantinople

  5. Pope Nicholas V appoints Rudolf of Diepholt, Bishop of Utrecht, as cardinal

    Pope Nicholas V appoints Rudolf of Diepholt, Bishop of Utrecht, as cardinal

Events After

  1. Battle of Formigny: French defeat the English decisively in the Hundred Years' War, paving the way for the capture of En

    Battle of Formigny: French defeat the English decisively in the Hundred Years' War, paving the way for the capture of English strongholds in Normandy

  2. 'Abd al-Latif (Timurid monarch) is assassinated

    'Abd al-Latif (Timurid monarch) is assassinated

  3. Pope Nicolas V names Walram of Moers Bishop of the rich German city of Münster (voided 1452 during the conflict to contr

    Pope Nicolas V names Walram of Moers Bishop of the rich German city of Münster (voided 1452 during the conflict to control the city)

  4. Jews are expelled from Lower Bavaria by order of Louis IX

    Jews are expelled from Lower Bavaria by order of Louis IX

  5. Sultan Mehmed II, the Conqueror inherits the throne of the Ottoman Empire

    The sultans of the Ottoman Empire (Turkish: Osmanlı padişahları), who were all members of the Ottoman dynasty (House of Osman), ruled over the transcontinental empire from its perceived inception in…

More from the 1440s

birth

Lorenzo de' Medici is born

Lorenzo de' Medici is born

Margaret of Anjou (15) weds King Henry VI of England (23) in Titchfield Abbey, Hampshire

Margaret of Anjou (15) weds King Henry VI of England (23) in Titchfield Abbey, Hampshire

Future Duke of Burgundy Charles the Bold weds Catherine of France, Countess of Charolais

Future Duke of Burgundy Charles the Bold weds Catherine of France, Countess of Charolais

James II of Scotland (18 ) marries Mary of Guelders (15) at Holyrood Abbey in Edinburgh

James II (16 October 1430 – 3 August 1460) was King of Scots from 1437 until his death in 1460.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on January 6, 1449?
Constantine XI Dragases Palaiologos or Dragaš Palaeologus was the last reigning Byzantine emperor from 23 January 1449 until his death in battle at the fall of Constantinople on 29 May 1453. Constantine's death marked the definitive end of the Eastern Roman Empire, which traced its origin to Constantine the Great's foundation of Constantinople as the Roman Empire's new capital in 330. Constantine was the fourth son of Emperor Manuel II Palaiologos and Serbian noblewoman Helena Dragaš.
Why is Byzantine Emperor Constantine XI is crowned at Mistra significant?
Constantine XI Dragases Palaiologos or Dragaš Palaeologus was the last reigning Byzantine emperor from 23 January 1449 until his death in battle at the fall of Constantinople on 29 May 1453.

Explore More

January 6 in HistoryYear 1449