Greetings all,

Today we reflect on Constantinople beginning preparations for the Ottoman assault on March 14th in 1453 AD

The task of deepening the moat around Constantinople's land fortifications commenced  with the assistance of the Venetian crews from the galleys of Alvise Diedo and Gabriel Trevisan.  Repairs were completed in the vicinity of the Xyloporta, the Palace of Blakhernai, and the Tower of Anemas. The fortification work was completed by March 31.

(From the book "The Siege and Fall of Constantinople, Historiography, Topography and Military Studies" by Marios Philippides and Walter K. Hanak, Ashgate Press, 2011) 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus