From across the moat where he still sat upon his mount with mace in hand, Mohammed saw this confusion. To exploit the situation he immediately ordered a reserve orta of Janissaries into the fray. This detachment of some thirty men was commanded by a giant named Hassan.

With his sword in one hand and his small round shield on his arm, the giant ran forward at the head of his men, clambered up a ladder, and in a few moments had hacked his way to the top of the palisade - the first man to achieve this feet. There was a great roar of triumph from the Janissaries below - Hassan had won the coveted Sultan's prize. A dozen of Hassan's men managed to gain the ramparts with him. The Greeks counterattacked, finally managing to topple the giant over the wall. On the ground below Hassan groggily rose to one knee as half a dozen arrows thudded into his body. He fell back dead.

But Hassan had shown the Janissaries that strength and valor could win the day. They attacked the walls with renewed determination. The twelve companions of Hassan still held their ground above. Swiftly more and more Janissaries forced their way up to join them. In a short time the Greeks were outnumbered fifty to one. Stubbornly they gave ground.

Meanwhile Constantine had galloped to the Blachernal. Something there was seriously wrong. From the highest turret overlooking the city fluttered Turkish flags. The Turks trapped in the courtyard had fought their way up to the battlements. Now hundreds of Turks were streaming through the Kerkoporta.

Constantine galloped back for reinforcements, hoping to rally the Genoese. But by now his Greeks had been forced back almost to the still open gate through which Giustiniani had retired. Many panicked Greeks were crowding through the gate. At the same time Janissaries were scaling the face of the Inner Wall. Already some could be seen above on the battlements. They were waving their swords and shouting down to their companions outside, "The city is ours!"

The situation was hopeless. Constantine’s advisors begged him to save himself, but his only comment was, "I will stay with my men". Constantine resolutely tore his royal purple cloak from his shoulders, drew his sword and charged the fray at the gate. There, it must be presumed, he died like a common soldier.

It is believed that in that last fight, Constantine earned a great respect not only from his men, but from the Janissaries as well. Stories, after the battle, were told of the great Christian leader who did not run, but fought with his men and died bravely. It is said the Mohammed was so impressed with this, that only Constantine’s crown was removed from his body and he was given a proper burial. This was not a custom for the Turks, leaders and soldiers usually found themselves nailed to the walls of the city or beheaded and sitting on a tent pole.