Background The city of
Constantinople underwent a
protracted siege starting from 1394. Various attempts at support failed, such as during the
Battle of Nicopolis, where
Ottoman forces crushed the coalition led by the
King of Hungary,
Sigismund of Luxembourg. During these efforts,
Jean II Le Maingre, known as "Boucicaut", welcomed as a hero by the population, managed, with a small contingent of
French troops, to slightly alleviate the pressure on the city. After briefly considering giving the throne of the Byzantine Empire to
Charles VI,"The king had long awaited the arrival of
monseigneur Manuel, Emperor of
Greece. He was delighted to learn that the illustrious sovereign of such a renowned empire had arrived in his domains. This extraordinary event seemed very honorable and glorious for his reign, and he proudly reflected that none of his predecessors had received such a precious sign of favor from heaven. He therefore resolved to receive the emperor with all kinds of honors and sent noble knights to meet him, to ensure a reception worthy of the imperial majesty in the cities and other places he was to pass through, and to see that he was properly lodged. He also decided, with the advice of the principal lords, that his entry into Paris should be made with all the pomp that the honor of France required."He was welcomed with great honors by Charles VI at
Charenton-le-Pont He attended the wedding of
Marie de Berry and
John I of Bourbon, and was placed between the king and the officiating cardinal at the banquet that followed, further demonstrating the king's affection. It is also possible that his presence in Paris inspired French art of the time, particularly influencing medallists and especially the
Limbourg brothers, who seem to reference Manuel II and his entry into Paris in their depiction of the
Magi in
Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry,
Return Manuel gradually realized that the
Western powers, who professed their intention to support him, were entangled in their own interests and conflicts, preventing them from intervening or making their promises empty. The
Timurid victory provided a brief respite for the
Byzantine Empire, rendering Manuel's presence in Western Europe unnecessary, especially as the promises of aid were not materializing. Consequently, he began his journey back, passing through
Genoa and receiving assistance from Charles VI and the Doge of Venice, who were pleased to avoid deeper involvement. Manuel returned to the Peloponnese, where he reunited with his family, and then went back to Constantinople in 1403. == References ==