Baring-Gould’s sources: Constantinopolitan and some Greek Menseas.] John Comnenus, the eldest son of Alexis I., Emperor of the East, and Irene III., was married in his eighteenth year (in 1104) to Pyrisca, daughter of Ladislas, King of Hungary. Pyrisca on her union with the Greek Church assumed the name of Irene, and is reckoned as the fourth of that name.

.5. Irene. The empress-mother had no love for John, but was passionately fond of her daughter Anna, who was married to Bryennius. The empress sought to divert the crown from the head of her son to that of her son-in-law. She tormented Alexis on his death-bed to bequeath the empire to Bryennius. He steadfastly refused. She persisted. “ I have now to attend to God alone !” sighed he, reproachfully. “ Go, die as you have lived —a hypocrite !” exclaimed she, scornfully. Anua Comnena, stimulated by ambition, conspired against her brother’s life; but when the design was prevented by the scruples of her husband, she passionately exclaimed that nature had mistaken the two sexes, and had endowed Bryennius with the soul of a woman.

In the meantime John, stooping over his dying father, had drawn the imperial signet unobserved from his finger. Then hastening before the troops and assembled people, he proclaimed the death of the emperor, and his own title to succeed him. Alexis was not yet dead, he lingered on for twelve hours, but by this crafty act John secured the ground for his election before his mother and sister were prepared to contest it.

John I. was sumamed the Beautiful. He possessed all the virtues, none of the faults of his father. His dark olive complexion, bold profile, and noble eyes, gained for him his surname; but his devoted subjects gladly declared that it was attributable rather to the excellency of his character, and of his rule.

His wife, the Empress Irene IV., was gentle, pious, and charitable. She was called “The Hospitable;” wore a grave plain dress, more like a nun than an empress, setting an example of moderation in the midst of a society which carried luxury in dress and food to extravagance; her adorning was not that of wearing of gold and putting on of apparel, but was the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, in the sight of God of great price. She founded the monastery of the Saviour at Constantinople, and died before her husband.