After the fall of Constantinople to the Latin Crusaders in 1204 hundreds of relics were carried into the West as diplomatic gifts, memorabilia and tokens of victory. Yet many relics were also sent privately between male crusaders and their spouses and female kin. As recipients of relics women ...
The Grand Dukes of Muscovy began to regard themselves as the heirs of the Byzantine heritage following the fall of Constantinople and the fall of the Byzantine Empire in 1453. This belief was furthered by Ivan III’s marriage to Sophia Paleologue. Contemporaries include the picture of St. ...