Hello everyone and welcome to the history of Byzantium Episode 251, a lion pouncing on a large prey.

And welcome back everyone to the narrative.

Last time Manuil Comni Nos shuffled off this mortal coil. It was September 1180 and he was 61 years old.

His long reign had seen him struggle with Byzantiums place in the world. The Empire could no longer

stand apart from its neighbours. The crusading movement and the growing power of the Latin world

made it vital that the Romans were seen to be serving the interests of the wider Christian world.

Manuil spent decades trying to solve that particular Rubik's cube and the debate continues as to

whether he succeeded or failed. What isn't in dispute is that Manuil was a powerful figure in his day.

He was respected and feared on the world stage and at home. Two generations on from the Comenian

takeover of the state, a huge aristocratic clan now dominated every significant post in the Empire.

Every family that Alexius, John and Manuil had embraced now gathered expectantly to pay their

respects to the dead Emperor. He had been both the Vassil Fs and the Pater Familius.

All appointments were approved by him. Every family squabble depended on his whim.

Now that he was gone, the tectonic plates began shifting. His son would take over but he had

only just turned 11. Two young to hold together a fractious coalition of interests.

As we've seen at various times in Byzantine history, an Emperor whose two young to rule

creates a power vacuum. The Regency Council set up to govern for him is always vulnerable to attack.

Powerful men from outside the court often try to seize the reins of government for themselves.

A Romanos, Lecapinos and Niceferas focus both gained power that way.

Manuil's son, Alexius, was therefore dependent on those who governed for him. He needed them to

make sensible choices and protect his position until he was old enough to act alone.

Unfortunately, they did not. For those who've enjoyed hearing the Comenian story and feel in

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