A Paleologist buried in a corner of Cornwall

One of Britain’s fetishous weather that hit the western coast has just slowed down, but heavy rains continue, which makes driving on the narrow provincial streets of Cornwall even harder.

We drive between the fields that spread around Landalf, a small settlement near the Taymar River, separating Cornwall from Devon. The beauty of the landscape is unrepeatable, with lush hills spreading around and over-age trees often forming small tunnels.

In an open turn he stands out an old church, an image that almost forces the visitor to stop with the hope of finding it open. A small sign at the entrance of the church enclosure informs tourists that the church is dedicated to St. Leonardo and St. Dilpi. A cemetery with old stone crosses and anathema plates occupies most of the enclosure. On the front of the church rises an impressive bell tower. We try to open the door and we are surprised to find it open. Inside there is an atmospheric half, which makes it even more mysterious the strong air blowing out. Left and right of the main corridor has two rows of elaborate carved wooden seats. Behind a wooden iconostasis one can see the simple Holy Bank illuminated by an impressive stained glass located on the wall behind it. Over the iconostasis there is a wooden sculpture Crossed. In the small exploration of the site, old stained glass, small woodcuts, the remains of an ancient statue in a niche above the entrance of the temple bear witness to the passage of the centuries in a space where time seems to have remained cold. And suddenly at the bottom of the right aisle of the church the bronze inscription is revealed attached to the wall. We read: “Here lies the body of Theodore Paleologos, descended from Pezarus, Italy, a descendant of the last Christian emperor of Greece, the son of Camilius, who was the son of Prosperus, who was the son of Theodorus, who was the son of John, who was the son of Thomas, the brother of Constantine Paleologos, the last emperor of Constantinople before its destruction by the Turks.” == sync, corrected by elderman == @elder_man Here lies the body of Theodore Paleologos, descended from Pezarus, Italy, a descendant of the last Christian emperor of Greece” refers among others to the bronze inscription

At the top of the plaque is engraved the crest of Paleologists with the two-headed eagle, symbol of a dynasty that ruled the Byzantine Empire since 1261, when Michael VIII Palaiologos was crowned emperor, until 1453 and the Fall of Constantinople.

But how did one of the last descendants of the marbled King find himself buried in this English church, in the limits of Cornwall?

Andrew Barrett, a member of the parish and historian, answer the questions of the “Step”. At first he gives little evidence of the history of the church. As he explains, it was built around 1420 and, like the Landalf area, has a rich history. During the 15th century patrons of the church were the Courtney family, to whom Landalf’s development as a port-comb, from where pilgrims began to visit the church of St James of Campostella, in Northwest Spain. Why was Theodore in Landalf? Here begins a story that looks like an Echo novel. Theodore was a descendant of Thomas Paleologos, who along with his brother Demetrius ruled the Despotate of Mystra until 1460, when he was destroyed by Muhammad II.

The two brothers never managed to be alone and the strife between them remained in history. In fact Thomas was a Western philophile, while Demetrius Turkophilus. In addition to their quarrels they also had to face Turkish raids that continued unabated, as Muhammad II was trying to prevent the two brothers from sending help to stranded Istanbul.

After the Fall the Turks occupied Patras in 1458 and in 1460 Demetrius gave Mystra to Muhammad without a fight putting an end to the despotate. Thomas left in Italy taking with him the cart of St Andrew, which he handed over to the Pope, while Demetrius followed Muhammad and lived under restraint for the rest of his life. Thomas settled with his family in the Italian city Pezaro, where in 1560 was born the triangle of Theodore. “A little is known about Theodore’s youth life. He may have been a professional soldier or mercenary and is believed to have taken part in battles in the Netherlands,” says Mr Barrett. According to historical sources, Theodore was a nephew of two rulers of Pezaro, Leonidas, and Scipion Palaiologos. All three of them were convicted of some alleged murder. Theodore was exiled from Italy and fled to England. There he found work as a soldier in the service of the Earl of Lincoln. Between 1609 and 1621 he fought as a mercenary in the Netherlands and then lived in Plymouth. He eventually settled in Clifton Manor in Landalf. He married Mary Bales of Suffolk, with whom they had five children. Constantine Paleologist

” At that time he must have met Sir Nicholas and Lady Elizabeth Lower of Clifton, who invited Theodore and his family to live in their tower. Theodore died in 1636 and was buried in the church of Landalf. One of his children, the namesake Theodore, fought for the parliamentary side in the English civil war, but lost his life in 1644 and was buried in Westminster Abbey. This is the only Byzantine descent buried in the famous abbey”, explains Mr Barrett and continues: “In 1795 the tomb of Paleologos in Landalf was accidentally violated and the oak coffin of Theodore opened. His body was found to be well maintained, above average stature, with a long beard reaching up to his chest. The commemorative plaque referred to by Theodore is placed next to the tomb of his friend Sir Nicholas Lower and has attracted many visitors, including members of the royal family of England. In 2007 Archbishop Gregory and several bishops, clergy and believers – members of the Greek Orthodox Church of Great Britain – visited the church and performed memorial service in memory of Theodore.”