At the Byzantium group, I have for some time been producing a series of posts in a variety of formats on the rise and fall of the Byzantine Emperor Andronicus I Comnenus, a remarkably colorful and contradictory figure who is often described as "the Richard III of Byzantine history." This series covers the period from the death of the Emperor Manuel I Comnenus in September 1180 to Andronicus's own deposition and execution just under five years later. The first post in this series -- which is part of a fictional autobiography ostensibly written by Andronicus Comnenus himself -- can be found by clicking here. One of the most recent posts in the series can be found here. For an overview of the political background to Andronicus's seizure of power, click here.