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THE CRUSADERS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STRAITS ARE RECALLED TO MARCH ON
ADRIANOPLE - EXPEDITION OF GEOFFRY OF VILLEHARDOUIN
Then the Emperor Baldwin and the Doge of Venice, and Count Louis took counsel together, for they saw they were losing the whole land. And they settled that the emperor should tell his brother Henry, who was at Adramittium, to abandon whatsoever conquests he had made, and come to their succour.
Count Louis, on his side, sent to Payen of Orléans and Peter of Bracieux, who were at Lopadium, and to all the people that were with them, telling them to leave whatsoever conquests they had made, save Pioa only, that lay on the sea, where they were to set a garrison - the smallest they could - and that the remainder were to come to their succour.
The emperor directed Macaire of Sainte-Menchould, and Matthew of Wallincourt, and Robert of Ronsoi, who had some hundred knights with them in Nicomedia, to leave Nicomedia and come to their succour.
By command of the Emperor Baldwin, Geoffry of Villehardouin, Marshal of Champagne and of Roumania, issued from Constantinople, with Manasses of l'Isle, and Nvith as many men as they could corect, and these were few enough, seeing
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that all the land was being lost. And they rode to the city of Tzurulum, which
is distant a three days' journey. There they found William of Blanvel, and those
that were with him, in very great fear, and much were these reassured at their
coming. At that place they remained four days. The Emperor Baldwin sent after
Geoffry the Marshal as many as he could, of such people as were coming into
Constantinople, so that on the fourth day there were at Tzurulum eighty knights.

Then did Geoffry the Marshal move forward, and Manasses of l'Isle, and their
people, and they rode on, and came to the city of Arcadiopolis, and quartered
themselves therein. There they remained a day, and then moved to a city called
Bulgaropolis. The Greeks had avoided this city and the Franks quartered
themselves therein. The following day they rode to a city called Neguise, which
was very fair and strong, and well furnished with all good things. And they
found that the Greeks had abandoned it, and were all gone to Adrianople. Now
Adrianople was distant nine French leagues, and therein were gathered all the
great multitude of the Greeks. And the Franks decided that they should wait
where they were till the coming of the Emperor Baldwin.

RENIER OF TRIT ABANDONED AT PHILIPPOPOLIS BY HIS SON AND THE GREATER PART OF HIS
PEOPLE
Now does this book relate a great marvel: for Renier of Trit, who was at
Philippopolis, a good nine days' journey from Constantinople, with at least one
hundred and twenty knights, was deserted by Reginald his son, and Giles his
brother, and James of Bondies, who was his nephew, and Achard of Verdun, who had
his daughter to wife. And they had taken some thirty of his knights, and thought
to come to Constantinople; and they had left him, you must know, in great peril.
But they found the country raised against them, and were discomfited; and the
Greeks took them, and afterwards handed them over to the King of Wallachia, who
had their heads cut off. And you must know that they were but little pitied by
the people, because they had behaved in such evil sort to one whom they were
bound to treat quite otherwise.
And when the other knights of Renier de Trit saw that he

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was thus abandoned by those who were much more bound to him than themselves,
they felt the less shame, and some eighty together left him, and departed by
another way. So Renier of Trit remained among the Greeks with very few men, for
he had not more than fifteen knights at Philippopolis and Stanimac-which is a
very strong castle which he held, and where he was for a long time besieged.

BALDWIN UNDERTAKES THE SIEGE OF ADRIANOPLE
We will speak no further now of Renier of Trit but return to the Emperor
Baldwin, who is in Constantinople, with but very few people, and greatly angered
and much distracted. He was waiting for Henry his brother, and all the people on
the other side of the straits, and the first who came to him from the other side
of the straits came from Nicomedia, viz.: Macaire of Sainte-Menehould, and
Matthew of Wallincourt, and Robert of Ronsoi, and with them full a hundred
knights.
When the emperor saw them, he was right glad, and he consulted with Count Louis,
who was Count of Blois and Chartres. And they settled to go forth, with as many
men as they had, to follow Geoffry the Marshal of Champagne, who had gone
before. Alas 1 what a pity it was they did not wait till all had joined them who
were on the other side of the straits, seeing how few people they had, and how
perilous the adventure on which they were bound.
So they started from Constantinople, some one hundred and forty knights, and
rode from day to day till they came to the castle of Neguise, where Geoffry the
Marshal was quartered. That night they took counsel together, and the decision
to which they came was, that on the morrow they should go before Adrianople, and
lay siege to it. So they ordered their battalions, and did for the best with
such people as they had.
When the morning came, and full daylight, they rode as had been arranged, and
came before Adrianople. And they found it very well defended, and saw the flags
of Johannizza, King of Wallachia and Bulgaria, on the walls and towers; and the
city was very strong and very rich, and very full of people. Then they made an
assault, with very few people, before two of the gates, and this was on the
Tuesday of
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Palmtide (29th March I205). So did they remain before the city for three days,
in great discomfort, and but few in number.

THE SIEGE OF ADRIANOPLE CONTINUED WITHOUT RESULT
Then came Henry Dandolo, the Doge of Venice, who was' an old man and saw naught.
And he brought with him as many people as he had, and these were quite as many
as the Emperor Baldwin and Count Louis had brought, and he encamped before one
of the gates. On the morrow they were joined by a troop of mounted sergeants,
but these might well have been better men than they proved themselves to be. And
the host [note: meaning here a little obscure. I think, however, the intention
of the origin'd is to state that the host, and not only the sergeants, lacked
supplies] had small store of provisions, because the merchants could not come
with them; nor could they go foraginc, because of the many Greeks that were
spread throughout the land.
Johannizza, King of Wallachia, was coming to succour Adrianople with a very
great host; for he brought with him Wallachians and Bulgarians, and full
fourteen thousand Comans who had never been baptised.
Now because of the dearth of provisions, Count Louis of Blois and Chartres went
foraging on Palm Sunday. With him went Stephen of Perche, brother of Count
Geoffry of Perche, and Renaud of Montmirail, who was brother of Count Hervée of
Nevers, and Gervais of Châtel, and more than half of the host. They went to a
castle called Peutace, and found it well garrisoned with Greeks, and assailed it
with great force and fury; but they were able to achieve nothing, and so
retreated without taking anv spoils. Thus they remained during the week of the
two'Easters (Palm Sunday to Easter Day), and fashioned engines of divers sorts,
and set such miners as they had to work underground and so undermine the wall.
And thus did they celebrate Easter (10th April) before Adrianople, being but few
in number and scant of provisions.

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JOHANNIZZA, KING OF WALLACHIA, COMES TO RELIEVE ADRIANOPLE
Then came tidings that Johannizza, King of Wallachia, was coming upon them to
relieve the city. So they set their affairs in order, and it was arranged that
Geoffry the Marshal, and Manasses of l'Isle should guard the camp, and that the
Emperor Baldwin and all the remainder of the host should issue from the camp if
so be that johanizza came and offered battle.
Thus they remained till the Wednesday of Easter week, and Johannizza had by that
time approached so near that he encamped at about five leagues from us. And he
sent his Comans running before our camp, and a cry was raised throughout the
camp, and our men issued therefrom helterskelter, and pursued the Comans for a
full league very foolishly; for when they wished to return, the Comans began to
shoot at them in grievous wise, and wounded a good many of their horses.
So our men returned to the camp, and the barons were summoned to the quarters of
the Emperor Baldwin. And they took counsel, and all said that they had dealt
foolishly in thus pursuing people who were so lightly armed. And in the end they
settled that if Johannizza came on again, they would issue forth, and set
themselves in array of battle before the camp, and there wait for him, and not
move from thence. And they had it proclaimed throughout the host that none
should be so rash as to disregard this order, and move from his post for any cry
or tumult that might come to his ears. And it was settled that Geoffry the
Marshal should keep guard on the side of the city, with Manasses of l'Isle.
So they passed that night till the Thursday morning in Easter week, when they
heard mass and ate their dinner. And the Comans ran up to their tents, and a cry
arose, and they ran to arms, and issued from the camp with all their battalions
in array, as had afore been devised.

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DEFEAT OF THE CRUSADERS-BALDWIN TAKEN PRISONER
Count Louis went out first with his battalion, and began to follow after the
Comans, and sent to urge the emperor to come after him. Alas! how ill did they
keep to what had been settled the night before! For they ran in pursuit of the
Comans for at least two leagues, and joined issue with them, and chased them a
long space. And then the Comans turned back upon them, and began to cry out and
to shoot.
On our side there were battalions made up of other people than knights, people
having too little knowledge of arms, and they began to wax afraid and be
discomfited. And Count Louis, who had been the first to attack, was wounded in
two places full sorely; and the Comans and Wallachians began to invade our
ranks; and the count had fallen, and one of his knights, whose name was John of
Friaise, dismounted, and set him on his horse. Many were Count Louis' people who
said: "Sir, get you hence, for you are too sorely wounded, and in two places."
And he said: "The Lord God forbid that ever I should be reproached with flying
from the field, and abandoning the emperor."
The emperor, who was in great straits on his side, recalled his people, and he
told them that he would not fly, and that they were to remain with him: and well
do those who were there present bear witness that never did knight defend
himself better with his hands than did the emperor. This combat lasted a long
time. Some were there who did well, and some were there who fled. In the end,
for so God suffers misadventures to occur, they were discomfited. There on the
field remained the Emperor Baldwin, who never would fly, and Count Louis; the
Emperor Baldwin was taken alive and Count Louis was slain.
Alas! how woful was our loss! There was lost the Bishop Peter of Bethlehem, and
Stephen of Perche, brother to Count Geoffry, and Renaud of Montmirail, brother
of the Count of Nevers, and Matthew of Wallincourt, and Robert of Ronsoi, John
of Friaise, Walter of Neuilli, Ferri of Yerres, John his brother, Eustace of
Heumont, John his brother, Baldwin of Neuville, and many more of whom the book
does
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not here make mention. Those who were able to escape, they came back flying to
the camp.

THE CRUSADERS RAISE THE SIEGE OF ADRIANOPLE
When Geoffry the Marshal of Champagne, who was keeping guard at one of the gates
of the cityo, saw this he issued from the camp as soon as he could, with all
the men that were with him, and gave command to Manasses of lisle, who was on
guard at another gate, that he should follow after him. And he rode forth with
all his force at full speed, and in full array, to meet the fugitives, and the
fugitives all rallied round him. And Manasses of l'Isle followed as soon as he
was able, with his men, and joined himself to him, so that together they formed
a very strong body; and all those who came out of the rout, and whom they could
stop, were taken into their ranks.
The rout was thus stayed between Nones and Vespers. But the most part of the
fugitives were so afeared that they fled right before them till they came to the
tents and quarters. Thus was the rout stayed, as you have heard; and the Comans,
with the Wallachians and Greeks, who were in full chace, ceased their pursuit.
But these still galled our force with their bows and arrows, and the men of our
force kept still with their faces turned towards them. Thus did both sides
remain till nightfall, when the Comans and Wallachians began to retire.
Then did Geoffry of Villehardouin, the Marshal of Champagne and Roumania, summon
to the camp the Doge of Venice, who was an old man and saw naught, but very wise
and brave and vigorous; and he asked the Doge to come to him there where he
stood with his men, holding the field; and the Doge did so. And when the Marshal
saw him, he called him into council, aside, all alone, and said to him: "Lord,
you see the misadventure that has befallen us. We have lost the Emperor Baldwin
and Count Louis, and the larger part of our people, and of the best. Now let us
bethink ourselves how to save what is left. For if God does not take pity of
them, we are but lost."
And in the end they settled it thus: that the Doge would return to the camp, and
put heart into the people, and order that every one should arm and remain quiet
in his tent or
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pavilion; and that Geoffry the Marshal would remain in full order of battle
before the camp till it was night, so that their enemies might not see the host
move; and that when it was night all would move from before the city; the Doge
of Venice would go before, and Geoffry the Marshal would form the rear-guard,
with those who were with him.

RETREAT OF THE CRUSADERS
Thus they waited till it was night; and when it was night the Doge of Venice
left the camp, as had been arranged, and Geoffry the Marshal formed the
rear-guard. And they departed at foot pace, and took with them all their people
mounted and dismounted, the wounded as well those who were whole-they left not
one behind. And they journeyed towards a city that lies upon the sea, called
Rodosto, and that was full three days' journey distant. So they departed from
Adrianople, as you have heard; and this adventure befell in the year of the
Incarnation of Jesus Christ twelve hundred and five.
And in the night that the host left Adrianople, it happened that a company
started to get to Constantinople earlier, and by a more direct way; and they
were greatly blamed therefor. In this company was a certain count from Lombardy
named Gerard, who came from the land of the marquis, and Odo of Ham, who was
lord of a castle called Ham in Vermandois, and John of Maseroles, and many
others to the number of twenty-five knights, whom the book does not name. And
they went away so fast after the discomfiture, which had taken place on the
Thursday evening, that they came to Constantinople on the Saturday night, though
it was ordinarilyagoodfivedays'journey. Andtheytoldthenews to the Cardinal Peter
of Capua, who was there by the authority of Innocent Pope of Rome, and to Conon
of Béthune, who guarded the city, and to Miles the Brabant, and to the other
good men in the city. And you must know that these were greatly affeared, and
thought of a certainty that all the rest, who had been left before Adrianople,
were lost, for they had no news of them.

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PETER OF BRACIEUX AND PAYEN OF ORLEANS MEET THE RETREATING HOST
Now will we say no more about those at Constantinople, who were in sore trouble, but go back to the Doge of Venice and Geoffry the Marshal, who marched all the
night that they left Adrianople, till the dawn of the following day; and then they came to a city called Pamphyle. Now listen and you shall hear how adventures befall as God wills: for in that city had lain during the night, Peter of Bracieux and Payen of Orldans, and all the men belonging to the land of Count Louis, at least a hundred very good knights and one hundred and forty mounted sergeants, and they were coming from the other side of the straits to join the host at Adrianople.
When they saw the host coming, they ran to their arms nght nimbly, for they thought we were the Greeks. So they armed themselves, and sent to know what people we were, when their messengers discovered that we were the host retreating after our discomfiture. So the messengers went back, and told them that the Emperor Baldwin was lost, and their lord Count Louis, of whose land and country they were, and of whose following.
Sadder news could they not have heard. There might you have seen many tears wept, and many hands wrung for sorrow and pity. And they went on, all an-ned as they were, till they came to where Geoffry, the Marshal of Champagne, was keeping guard in the rear, in very great anxiety and misease. For Johannizza, the King of Wallachia and Bulgaria, had come at the point of day before Adrianople with all his host, and found that we had departed, and so ridden after us till it was full day; and when he found us not, he was full of grief; and well was it that he found us not, for if he had found us we must all have been lost beyond recovery.
"Sir," said Peter of Bracieux and Payen of Orléans to Geoffry the Marshal, "what
would you have us do? We will do whatever you wish." And he answered them: " You
see how matters stand with us. You are fresh and unwearied, and your horses also; therefore do you keep guard in the rear, and I will go forward and hold in hand our people, who are greatly dismayed and in sore need of comfort." To this they consented right willingly. So they
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established the rearguard duly and efficiently, and as men who well knew how,
for they were good knights and honourable.

THE HOST REACHES RODOSTO
Geoffry the Marshal rode before and led the host, and rode till he came to a
city called Cariopolis. Then he saw that the horses were weary with marching all
night, and entered into the city, and put them up till noon. And they gave food
to their horses, and ate themselves of what they could find, and that was but
little.
So they remained all the day in that city until night. And Johannizza, the King
of Wallachia, had followed them all the day with all his powers, and encamped
about two leaaues from them. And when it was night, those in the city all armed
themselves and departed. Geoffry the Marshal led the van, and those formed the
rear-guard who had formed it during the day. So they rode through that night,
and the following day (16th April) in great fear and much hardship, till they
came to the city of Rodosto, a city very rich and very strong, and inhabited by
Greeks. These Greeks did not dare to defend themselves, so our people entered in
and took quarters; so at last were they in safety.
Thus did the host escape from Adrianople, as you have heard. Then was a council
held in the city of Rodosto; and it seemed to the council that Constantinople
was in greater jeopardy than they were. So they took messengers, and sent them
by sea, telling them to travel night and day, and to advise those in the city
not to be anxious about them-for they had escaped-and that they would repair
back to Constantinople as soon as they could.

SEVEN THOUSAND PILGRIMS LEAVE THE CRUSADERS
At the time when the messengers arrived, there were in Constantinople five ships of Venice, very large and very good, laden with pilgrims, and knights and sergeants, who were leaving the land and returning to their own countries. There were at least seven thousand men at arms in the ships, and one was William the advocate of Béthune, and there were besides Baldwin of Aubigny, and John of Virsin, who be-
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longed to the land of Count Louis, and was his liegeman, and at least one
hundred other knights, whom the book does not here name. Master Peter of Capua,
who was cardinal from the Pope of Rome, Innocent, and Conon of Béthune, who
commanded in Constantinople, and Miles the Brabant, and a great number of other
men of mark, went to the five ships, and prayed those who were in them, with
sighs and tears, to have mercy and pity upon Christendom, and upon their liege
lords who had been lost in battle, and to remain for the love of God. But they
would not listen to a single word, and left the port. They spread their sails,
and went their way, as God ordained, in such sort that the wind took them to the
port of Rodosto; and this was on the day following that on which those who had
escaped from the discomfiture came thither.
The same prayers, with tears and weeping, that had been addressed to them at
Constantinople-those same prayers were now addressed to them at Rodosto; and
Geoffry the Marshal, and those who were with him, besought them to have mercy
and pity on the land, and remain, for never would they be able to succour any
land in such dire need. They replied that they would consult together, and give
an answer on the morrow.
And now listen to the adventure which befell that night in the city. There was a knight from the land of Count Louis, called Peter of Frouville, who was held in honour, and of great name. The same fled by night, and left all his baggage and his people, and gat himself to the ship of John of Virsin, who was from the land of Count Louis of Blois and Chartres. And those on board the five ships, who in the morning were to give their answer to Geoffry the Marshal and to the Doge of Venice, so soon as they saw the day, they spread their sails, and went their way without word said to any one. Much and great blame did they receive, both in the land whither they went, and in the land they had left; and he who received most blame of all was Peter of Frouville. For well has it been said that he is but ill-advised who, through fear of death, does what will be a reproach to him for ever.

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MEETING OF MANY OF THE CRUSADERS-HENRY, THE BROTHER OF BALDWIN, IS MADE REGENT
Now let us speak of these last no farther, but speak of Henry, brother to the
Emperor Baldwin of Constantinople, who had left Adramittium, which he had
conquered, and passed the straits at the city of Abydos, and was coming towards
Adrianople to succour the Emperor Baldwin, his brother. And with him had come
the Armenians of the land, who had helped him against the Greeks-some twenty
thousand with all their wives and children-for they dared not remain behind.
Then came to him the news, by certain Greeks, who had escaped from the
discomfiture, that his brother the Emperor Baldwin was lost, and Count Louis,
and the other barons. Afterwards came the news of those who had escaped and were
at Rodosto; and these asked him to make all the haste he could, and come to
them. And because he wanted to hasten as much as he could, and reach them
earlier, he left behind the Armenians, who travelled on foot, and had with them
chariots, and their wives and children; and inasmuch as these could not come on
so fast, and he thought they would travel safely and without hurt, he went
forward and encamped in a village called Cartopolis.
On that very day came thither the nephew of Geoffry the Marshal, Anseau of
Courcelles, whom Geoffry had summoned from the parts of Macre, Trajanopolis, and
the Baie, lands that had been bestowed upon him; and with Anseau came the people
from PhilippoPolis, who had left Renier of Trit. This company held full a
hundred good knights, and full five hundred mounted sergeants, who all were on
their way to Adrianople to succour the Emperor Baldwin. But tidings had come to
them, as to the others, that the emperor had been defeated, so they turned to go
to Rodosto, and came to encamp at Cartopolis, the village where Henry, the
brother of the Emperor Baldwin, was then encamped. And when Baldwin's men saw
them coming, they ran to arms, for they thought they were Greeks, and the others
thought the same of Baldwin's men. And so they advanced till they became known
to one another, and each was right glad of the other's
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coming, and felt all the safer; and they quartered themselves in the village
that night until the morrow.
On the morrow they left, and rode straight towards Rodosto, and came that night
to the city; and there they found the Doge of Venice and Geoffry the Marshal,
and all who had escaped from the late discomfiture; and right glad were these to
see them. Then were many tears shed for sorrow by those who had lost their
friends. Ah, God! what pity it was that those men now assembled had not been at
Adrianople with the Emperor Baldwin, for in that case would nothing have been
lost. But such was not God's pleasure.
So they sojoumed there on the following day, and the day after, and arranged
matters; and Henry, the brother of the Emperor Baldwin, was received into
lordship, as regent of the empire, in lieu of his brother.
And then misfortune came upon the Armenians, who were coming after Henry, the
brother of the Emperor Baldwin, for the people of the land gathered together and
discomfited the Armenians, so that they were all taken, killed or lost.
RETURN TO CONSTANTINOPLE - APPEALS FOR HELP SENT TO THE POPE, AND TO FRANCE AND TO OTHER LANDS - DEATH OF THE DOGE
Johannizza., King of Wallachia and Bulgaria, had with him all his power, and he
occupied the whole land; and the country, and the cities, and the castles held
for him; and his Comans over-ran the land as far as Constantinople. Henry the
regent of the empire, and the Doge of Venice, and Geoffry the Marshal, were
still at Rodosto, which is a three days' journey from Constantinople. And they
took council, and the Doge of Venice set a garrison of Venetians in Rodosto -for
it was theirs. And on the morrow they put their forces in array, and rode, day
by day, towards Constantinople.
When they reached Selymbria, a city which is two days' journey from Constantinople, and belonged to the Emperor Baldwin, Henry his brother set there a garrison of his people, and they rode with the rest to Constantinople, where they were received right willingly, for the people were in great terror. Nor is that to be wondered at, for they had lost so much of the country, that outside Constantinople they only held Rodosto and Selymbria; the whole of the rest of the
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country being held by Johannizza, King of Wallachia and Bulgaria. And on the
other side of the straits of St. George, they held no more than the castle of
Piga, while the rest of the land was in the hands of Theodore Lascaris.
Then the barons decided to send to the Apostle of Rome, Innocent, and to France
and Flanders, and to other lands, to ask for succour. And for this purpose were
chosen as envoys Nevelon, Bishop of Soissons, and Nicholas of Mailly, and John
Bliaud. The rest remained in Constantinople, in great distress, as men who stood
in fear of losing the land. So they remained till Pentecost (29th May 1205). And
within this time a very great misfortune happened to the host, for Henry Dandolo
was taken sick; so he made an end and died, and was buried with great honour in
the church of St. Sophia.
When Pentecost had come, Johannizza, the King of Wallachia and Bulgaria, had
pretty well had his will of the land; and he could no longer hold his Comans
to-ether, because they were unable to keep the field during the summer; so the
Comans departed to their own country. And he, with all his host of Bulgarians
and Greeks, marched against the marquis towards Salonika. And the marquis, who
had heard the news of the discomfiture of the Emperor Baldwin, raised the siege
of Napoli, and went to Salonika with as many men as he could collect, and
garrisoned it.

THE REGENT OBTAINS CERTAIN ADVANTAGES OVER THE GREEKS
Henry, the brother of the Emperor Baldwin of Constantinople, with as many people
as he could gather, marched against the Greeks to a city called Tzurulum, which
is a three days' journey from Constantinople. This city surrendered, and the
Greeks swore fealty to him-an oath which at that time men observed badly. From
thence he marched to Arcadiopolis, and found it void, for the Greeks did not
dare to await his coming. And from thence again he rode to the city of Bizye,
which was very strong, and well garrisoned with Greeks; and this city too
surrendered. Aferwards he rode to the city of Napoli (Apros) which also remained
well garrisoned with Greeks.
As our people were preparing for an assault, the Greeks within the city asked to
negotiate for capitulation. But
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while they thus negotiated, the men of the host effected an entrance into the
city on another side, and Henry the Regent of the empire and those who were
negotiating knew nothing of it. And this proved very disastrous to the Greeks.
For the Franks, who had effected an entrance, began to slaughter them, and to
seize their goods, and to take all that they had. So were many killed and taken
captive. In this wise was Napoli (Apros) captured; and the host remained there
three days. And the Greeks were so terrified by this slaughter, that they
abandoned all the cities and castles of the land, and fled for refuge to
Adrianople and Demotica, which were very strong and good cities.

SERES SURRENDERS TO JOHANNIZZA - HE FORFEITS HIS WORD
At that time it happened that Johannizza, the King of Wallachia and Bulgaria,
with all his host, marched against the marquis, towards a city called Seres. And
the marquis had set a strong garrison of his people in the city, for he had set
there Hugh of Colemi, who was a very good knight, and hi,h in rank, and William
of Arles, who was his marshal, and great part of his best men. And Johannizza,
the King of Wallachia besieged them; nor had he been there long before he took
the burgh by force. And at the taking of the burgh a great misfortune befell,
for Hugh of Colemi was killed; he was struck through the eye.
When he was killed, who was the best of them all, the rest of the garrison were
greatly afeared. They drew back into the castle, which was very strong; and
Johannizza besieged them, and erected his petraries and mangonels. Nor had he
besieged them long before they began to talk about surrendering, for which they
were afterwards blamed, and incurred great reproach. And they agreed to yield up
the castle to Johannizza, and Johannizza on his side caused twenty-five of the
men of highest rank that he had to swear to them that they should be taken, safe
and sound, with all their horses, and all their arms, and all their baggage, to
Salonika, or Constantinople, or Hungary-wMchever of the three it liked them
best.
In this manner was Seres surrendered, and Johannizza caused the besieged to come
forth from the castle and en-
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camp near him in the fields; and he treated them with much fair seeming, and
sent them presents. So he kept them for three days, and then he lied and
foreswore his promises; for he had them taken, and spoiled of their goods, and
led away to Wallachia, naked, and unshod, and on foot. The poor and the mean
people, who were of little worth, he sent into Hungary; and as for the others,
he caused their heads to be cut off. Of such mortal treachery was the KinL, of
Wallachia guilty, as you have heard. Here'did the host suffer grievous loss, one
of the most dolorous that ever it suffered. And Johannizza had the castle and
city razed, and went on after the marquis.
THE REGENT BESIEGES ADRIANOPLE IN VAIN
Henry, the Regent of the empire, with all his power, rode towards Adrianople,
and laid siege to it; and he was in great peril, for there were many, both
within and without the city who so hemmed him in, he and his people, that they
could scantl buy provisions, or go foraging. Therefore they enclosed their camp
with palisades and barriers, and told off part of their men to keep guard within
the palisades and barriers, while the others attacked the city.
And they devised machines of divers kinds, and scaling ladders, and many other
engines, and wrought diligently to take the city. But they could not take it,
for the city was very strong and well furnished for defence. So matters went ill
with them, and many of their people were wounded; and one of their good knights,
Peter of Bracieux, was struck on the forehead from a mangonel, and brought near
to death; but he recovered, by the will of God, and was taken away in a litter.
When they saw that they could in no wise prevail against the city, Henry the
Regent of the empire, and the French host departed. And greatly were they
harassed by the people of the land and by the Greeks; and they rode -from day to
day till they came to a city called Pamphyle, and lodged there, and sojourned in
it for two months. And they made thence many forays towards Demotica and the
country round about, where they captured much cattle, and other booty. So the
host remained in those parts till the beginning of winter; and supplies came to
them from Rodosto, and from the sea.

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DESTRUCTION OF PHILIPPOPOLIS BY JOHANNIZZA
Now let us leave speaking of Henry, the Regent of the empire, and speak of
Johannizza, the King of Wallachia and Bulgaria, who had taken Seres, as you have
already heard, and killed by treachery those who had surrendered to him.
Afterwards he had ridden towards Salonika, and sojoumed thereby a long while,
and wasted a great part of tfle land. The Marquis Boniface of Montferrat was at
Salonika, very wroth, and sorrowing greatly for the loss of his lord the Emperor
Baldwin, and for the other barons, and for his castle of Seres that he had lost,
and for his men.
And when Johannizza saw that he could do nothing more, he retired towards his
own land, with all his force. And the people in Philippopolis-which belonged to
Renier of Trit, for the Emperor Baldwin had bestowed it upon him-heard tell how
the Emperor Baldwin was lost, and many of his barons, and that the marquis had
lost Seres; and they saw that the relatives of Renier of Trit, and his own son
and his nephew, had abandoned him, and that he had with him but very few people;
and they deemed that the Franks would never be in power again. So a great part
of the people, who were Paulicians, [Note: An Eastem sect. They believed, among
other things, that all matter is evil, and that Christ suffered in appearance
only.] betook themselves to Johannizza, and surrendered themselves to him, and
said: " Sire, ride to Philippopolis, or send thither thy host, and we will
deliver the whole city into thy hands."
When Renier of Trit, who was in the city, knew of this, he doubted not that they
would yield up the city to Johannizza. So he issued forth with as many people as
he could collect, and left at the point of day, and came to one of the outlying
quarters of the city where dwelt the Paulicians who had repaired to Johannizza,
and he set fire to that quarter of the city, and burned a great part of it. Then
he went to the castle of Stanimac, which was at three leagues' distance, and
garrisoned by his people, and entered therein. And in this castle he lay
besieged for a long while, some thirteen months, in great distress and great
poverty, so that for famine they ate their horses. He was distant a nine
106
days' journey from Constantinople, and could neither obtain tidings therefrom,
nor send tidings thither.
Then did Johannizza send his host before Philippopolis; nor had he been there
long before those who were in the city surrendered it to him, and he promised to
spare their lives. And after he had promised to spare their lives, he first
caused the archbishop of the city to be slain, and the men of rank to be flayed
alive, and certain others to be burned, and certain others to have their heads
cut off, and the rest he caused to be driven away in chains. And the city he
caused to be pulled down, with its towers and walls; and the high palaces and
rich houses to be burned and utterly destroyed. Thus was destroyed the noble
city of Philippopolis, one of the three finest cities in the empire of Constantinople.
THE REGENT SETS GARRISONS IN SUCH PLACES AS HE STILL HELD
Now let us leave off speaking of those who were at Philippopolis, and of Renier
of Trit, who is shut up in Stanimac, and return to Henry, the brother of the
Emperor Baldwin, who had sojourned at Pamphyle till the beginning of winter.
Then he took council with his men and with his barons; and they decided to set a
garrison in a city called Rusium, which was situate at a place rich and fertile
in the middle of the land; and the chiefs placed over this garrison were Thierri
of Loos, who was seneschal, and Thierri of Tenremonde, who was constable. And
Henry,,the Regent of the empire, gave to them at least seven score knights, and
a great many mounted sergeants, and ordered them to maintain the war against the
Greeks, and to guard the marches.
And he himself went with the rest of his people to the city of Bizye, and placed
a garrison there; and left in command Anseau of Cayeux, and confided to him at
least six score knights, and a great many mounted sergeants. Another city,
called Arcadiopolis was garrisoned by the Venetians. And the city of Napoli was
restored by the brother of the Emperor Baldwin to Vemas, who had to wife the
sister [Agnes, sister to Philip Augustus, King of France] of the King of France,
and was a Greek who sided with us; and except he, no other Greek was on our
part. And those who were in these cities maintained the war against the Greeks,
107
and made many forays. Henry himself returned to Constantinople with the rest of
his men.
Now Johannizza, the King of Wallachia and Bulgaria, though rich and of great
possessions, never forgat his own interests, but raised a great force of Comans
and Wallachians. And when it came to three weeks after Christmas, he sent these
men into the land of Roumania to help those at Adrianople and Demotica; and the
latter, being now in force, grew bolder and rode abroad with the greater
assurance.
DEFEAT OF THE FRANKS NEAR RUSIUM
Thierri of Tenremonde, who was chief and constable, made a foray on the fourth
day before the feast of St. Mary Candlemas (30th January 1206); and he rode all
night, having six score knights with him, and left Rusium with but a small
garrison. When it was dawn, he came to a village where the Comans and
Wallachians were encamped, and surprised them in such sort that those who were
in the village were unaware of their coming. They killed a good many of the
Comans and Wallachians, and captured some forty of their horses; and when they
had done this execution, they turned back towards Rusium.
And on that very night the Comans and Wallachians had ridden forth to do us
hurt; and there were some seven thousand of them. They came in the morning
before Rusium, and were there a lono, space; and the garrison, which was but
small, closed the gates, and mounted the walls; and the Comans and Wallachians
turned back. They had not gone more than a league and a half from the city, when
they met the company of the French under the command of Thierri of Tenremonde.
So soon as the French saw them advancing, they formed into their four
battalions, with intent to draw into Rusium in slow time; for they knew that if,
by God's grace, they could come thither, they would then be in safety.
The Comans, and the Wallachians, and the Greeks of the land rode towards them,
for they were in very great force. And they came upon the rear-guard, and began
to harass it full sorely. Now the rear-guard was formed of the men of Thierri of
Loos, who was seneschal, and had returned to Constantinople, and his brother
Villain was now in command.
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And the Comans and Wallachians and Greeks pressed them very hard, and wounded
many of their horses. Loud were the cries and fierce the onslaught, so that by
main force and pure distress they drove the rear-guard back on the battalion of
Andrew of Urboise and John of Choisy; and in this manner the Franks retreated,
suffering greatly.
The enemy renewed their onslaught so fiercely that they drove the Franks who
were nearest to them back on the battalion of Thierri of Tenremonde, the
constable. Nor was it long before they drove them back still further on to the
battalions led by Charles of the Frêne. And now the Franks had retreated, sore
harassed, till they were within half a mile of Rusium. And the others ever
pressed upon them more hardily; and the battle went sore against them, and many
were wounded, and of their horses. So, as God will suffer misadventures, they
could endure no further, but were discomfited; for they were heavily armed, and
their enemies lightly; and the latter began to slaughter them.
Alas! well might Christendom rue that day! For of all those six score knights
did not more than ten escape who were not killed or taken; and those who escaped
came flying into Rusiiim, and rejoined their own people. There was slain Thierri
of Tenremonde, the constable, Orri of l'Isle, who was a good knight and highly
esteemed, and John of Pompone, Andrew of Urboise, John of Choisy, Guy of
Conflans, Charles of the Frêne, Villain the brother of Thierri the seneschal.
Nor can this book tell the names of all who were then killed or taken. On that
day happened one of the greatest mishaps, and the most grievous that ever befell
to the Christendom of the land of Roumania, and one of the most pitiful.
he Comans and Greeks and Wallachians retired, having done according to their
will in the land, and won many good horses and good hawberks. And this
misadventure happened on the day before the eve of our Lady St. Mary Candlemas
(31st January 1206). And the remnant who had escaped from the discomfiture,
together with those who had been in Rusium. escaped from the city, so soon as it
was night, and went all night flying, and came on the morrow to the city of
Rodosto.

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NEW INVASION OF JOHANNIZZA; RUIN OF NAPOLI
This dolorous news came to Henry the Regent of the empire, while he was going in
procession to the shrine of our Lady of Blachemae, on the day of the feast of
our Lady St. Mary Candlemas. And you must know that many were then dismayed in
Constantinople, and they thought of a truth that the land was but lost. And
Henry, the Regent of the empire, decided that he would place a garrison in
Selymbria, which was a two days' journey from Constantinople, and he sent
thither Macaire of Sainte-Menehould, with fifty knights to garrison the city.
Now when tidings came to Johannizza, King of Wallachia. as to how his people had
fared, he was very greatly rejoiced'; for they had killed or taken a very great
part of the best men in the French host. So he sent throughout all his lands to
collect as many people as he could, and raised a great host of Comans, and
Greeks and Wallachians, and entered into Roumania. And the greater part of the
cities held for him, and all the castles; and he had so large a host that it was
a marvel.
When the Venetians heard tell that he was coming with so great a force, they
abandoned Arcadiopolis. And Johannizza rode with all his hosts till he came to
Napoli, which was garrisoned by Greeks and Latins, and belonged to Vemas, who
had to wife the empress, the sister of the King of France; and of the Latins was
chief Bègue of Fransures, a knight of the land of the Beauvaisais. And
Johannizza, the King of Wallachia, caused the city to be assaulted, and took it
by force.
There was so great a slaughter of people killed, that it was a marvel. And Bègue
of Fransures was taken before Johannizza, who had him killed incontinently,
together with all, whether Greek or Latin, who were of any account; and all the
meaner folk, and women and children, he caused to, be led away captive to
Wallachia. Then did he cause all the city-which was verv good and very rich, and
in a good land, to be cast down and utterly destroyed. Thus was the city of
Napoli rased to the ground as you have heard.
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DESTRUCTION OF RODOSTO
Twelve leagues thence lay the city of Rodosto, on the sea. Tt was very strong,
and rich, and large, and very well garrisoned by Venetians, And besides all
this, there had come thither a body of sergeants, some two thousand strong, and
they had also come to guard the city. When they heard that Napoli had been taken
by force, and that Johannizza had caused all the people that were therein to be
put to death, they fell in to such terror that they were utterly confounded and
foredone. As God suffers misadventures to fall upon men, so the Venetians rushed
to their ships, helter-skelter, pell-mell, and in such sort that they almost
drowned one another; and the mounted sergeants, who came from France and
Flanders, and other countries, went flying through the land.
Now listen and hear how little this served them, and what a misadventure was
their flight; for the city was so strong, and so well enclosed by good walls and
good towers, that no one would ever have ventured to assault it, and that
Johannizza had no thought of going thither. But when Johannizza, who was full
half a day's journey distant, heard tell that they had fled, he rode thither.
The Greeks who had remained in the city, surrendered, and he incontinently
caused them to be taken, small and great-save those who escaped-and led captive
into Wallachia; and the city he ordered to be destroyed and rased to the ground.
Ah! the loss and dar.,iage! for the city was one of the best in Roumania, and of
the best situated.

JOHANNIZZA CONTINUES HIS CONQUESTS AND RAVAGES
Near there was another citv called Panedor, which surrendered to him; and he
caused it to be utterly destroyed, and the people to be led captive to Wallachia
like the people of Rodosto. Afterwards he rode to the city of Heraclea, that lay
by a good seaport, and belonged to the Venetians, who had left in it but a weak
garrison; so he assaulted it, and took it by force. There aain was a mighty
slaughter, and the remnant that escaped the slaughter he caused to be led
captive to Wallachia, while the city itself he destroyed, as lie had destroyed
the others.
111
Thence he marched to the city of Daonium, which was very strong and fine; and
the people did not dare to defend it. So he caused it to be destroyed and rased
to the ground. Then he marched to the city of Tzurulum, which had already
surrendered to him, and caused it to be destroyed and rased to the ground, and
the people to be led away captive. And thus he dealt with every castle and city
that surrendered; even though he had promised them safety, he caused the
buildings to be destroyed, and the men and women to be led away captive; and no
covenant that he made did he ever keep.
Then the Comans and Wallachians scoured the land up to the gates of
Constantinople, where Henry the Regent then was, with as many men as he could
command; and very dolorous was he and very wroth, because he could not get men
enough to defend his land. So the Comans seized the cattle off the land, and
took captive men, women, and children, and destroyed the cities and castles, and
caused such ruin and desolation that never has man heard tell of greater.
So they came to a city called Athyra, which was twelve leagues from
Constantinople, and had been given to Payen of Orléans by Henry, the emperor's
brother. This city held a very great number of people, for the dwellers in the
country round about had fled thither; and the Comans assaulted it, and took it
by force. There the slaughter was so great, that there had been none such in any
city where they had been. And you must know that all the castles and all the
cities that surrendered to Johannizza under promise of safety were destroyed and
rased to the ground, and the people led away captive to Wallachia in such manner
as you have heard.
And you must know that within five days' journey from Constantinople there
remained nothing to destroy save only the city of Bizye, and the city of
Selymbria, which were garrisoned by the French. And in Bizye abode Anseau of
Cayeux, with six score knights, and in Salymbria abode Macaire of
Sainte-Menehould with fifty knights; and Henry the brother of the Emperor
Baldwin remained in Constantinople with the remainder of the host. And you may
know that their fortunes were at the lowest, seeing that outside of
Constantinople they had kepl& possession of no more than these two cities.
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THE GREEKS ARE RECONCILED TO THE CRUSADERS - JOHANNIZZA DESIEGES DEMOTICA
When the Greeks who were in the host with Johannizza - the same who had yielded
themselves up to him, and rebelled against the Franks - when they saw how he
destroyed their castles and cities, and kept no covenant with them, they held
themselves to be but dead men, and betrayed. They spoke one to another, and said
that as Johannizza had dealt with other cities, so would he deal with Adrianople
and Demotica, when he returned thither, and that if these two cities were
destroyed, then was Roumania for ever lost.
So they took messengers privily, and sent them to Vernas in Constantinople. And
they besought Vernas to cry for pity to Henry, the brother of the Emperor
Baldwin, and to the Venetians, so that they might make peace with them; and they
themselves, in turn, would restore Adrianople and Demotica to the Franks; and
the Greeks would all turn to Henry; and the Greeks and Franks dwell together in
good accord.
So a council was held, and many words were spoken this way and that, but in the
end it was settled that Adrianople and Demotica, with all their appurtenances,
should be bestowed on Vernas and the empress his wife, who was sister to the
King Philip of France, and that they should do service therefor to the emperor
and to the empire. Such was the convention made and concluded, and so was peace
established between the Greeks and the Franks.
Johanizza, the King of Wallachia and Bulgaria, who had sojourned long in
Roumania, and wasted the country during the whole of Lent, and for a good while
after Easter (2nd April 1206), now retired towards Adrianople and Demotica, and
had it in mind to deal with those cities as he had dealt with the other cities
of the land. And when the Greeks who were with him saw that he turned towards
Adrianople, they began to steal away, both by day and by night, some twenty,
thirty, forty, a hundred, at a time.
When he came to Adrianople, he required of those that were within that they
should let him enter, as he had entered elsewhere. But they said they would not,
and spoke thus: "Sire, when we surrendered to thee, and rebelled against the
113
Franks, thou didst swear to protect us in all good faith, and to keep us in
safety. Thou hast not done so, but hast utterly ruined Roumania; and we know
full well that thou wilt do unto us as thou hast done unto others." And when
Johannizza heard this, he laid siege to Demotica, and erected round it sixteen
large petraries, and began to construct engines of every kind for the siege, and
to waste all the country round.
Then did those in Adrianople and Demotica take messengers, and send them to
Constantinople, to Henry, the Regent of the empire, and to Vemas, and prayed
them, for God's sake, to rescue Demotica, which was being besieged. And when
those at Constantinople heard these tidings, they decided to succour Demotica.
But some there were who did not dare to advise that our people should issue from
Constantinople, and so place in jeopardy the few Christian folk that remained.
Nevertheless, in the end, as you have heard, it was decided to issue forth, and
move on Selymbria.
The cardinal, who was there as legate on the part of the Pope of Rome, preached
thereon to the people, and promised a full indulgence to all such as should go
forth, and lose their lives on the way. So Henry issued from Constantinople with
as many men as he could collect, and marched to the city of Selyrnbria; and he
encamped before the city for full eight days. And from day to day came
messengers from Adrianople praying him to have mercy upon them, and come to
their relief, for if he did not come to their relief, they were but lost.
THE CRUSADERS MARCH TO THE RELIEF OF DEMOTICA
Then did Henry take council with his barons, and their decision was that they
would go to the city of Bizve, which was a fair city, and strong. So they did as
they had devised, and came to Bizye, and encamped before the city on the eve of
the feast of our Lord St. John the Baptist, in June (23rd June 1206). And on the
day that they so encamped came messengers from Adrianople, and said to Henry,
the brother of the Emperor Baldwin: "Sire, be it known to thee that if thou dost
not relieve the city of Demotica, it cannot hold out more than eight days, for
Johannizza's petraries have breached the walls in four places, and his men have
twice got on to the walls."
114
Then he asked for counsel as to what he should do. Many were the words spoken,
to and fro; but in the end they said: " Lord, we have come so far that we shall
be for ever shamed if we do not succour Demotica. Let every man now confess and
receive the communion; and then let us set our forces in array." And it was
reckoned that they had with them about four hundred knights, and of a certainty
no more. So they summoned the messengers who had come from Adrianople, and asked
them how matters stood, and what number of men Johannizza had with him. And the
messengers answered that he had with him at least forty thousand men-at-arms,
not reckoning those on foot, of whom they had no count.
Ah God! what a perilous battle-so few against so many 1 In the morning, on the
day of the feast of our Lord St. John the Baptist, all confessed and received
the communion, and on the following day they marched forward. The van was
commanded by Geoffry, the Marshal of Roumania and Champagne, and with him was
Macaire of Sainte-Menehould. The second division was under Conon of Béthune and
Miles the Brabant; the third under Payen of Orléans and Peter of Bracieux; the
fourth was under Anseau of Cayeux; the fifth under Baldwin of Beauvoir; the
sixth under Hugh of Beaumetz; the seventh under Henry, brother of the Emperor
Baldwin; the eighth, with the Flemings, under Walter of Escornai; Thierri of
Loos, who was seneschal, commanded the rear-guard.
So they rode for three days, all in order; nor did any host ever advance seeking
battle so perilously. For they were in peril on two accounts; first because they
were so few, and those they were about to attack so many; and secondly, because
they did not believe the Greeks, with whom they had just made peace, would help
them heartily. For they stood in fear lest, when need arose, the Greeks would go
over to Johannizza, who, as you have already heard, had been so near to taking
Demotica.
JOHANNIZZA RETREATS, FOLLOWED BY THE CRUSADERS
When Johannizza heard that the Franks were coming, he did not dare to abide, but
burned his engines of war, and broke up his camp. So he departed from Demotica;
and you must know that this was accounted by all the world as a
115
great miracle. And Henry, the Regent of the empire, came on the fourth day (28th
June) before Adrianople, and pitched his cainp near the river of Adrianople, in
the fairest meadows in the world. When those who were within the city saw his
host coming, they issued forth, bearing all their crosses, and in procession,
and showed such joy as had never been seen. And well might they rejoice for they
had been in evil case.
Then came tidings to the host that Johannizza was lodged at a castle called
Rodosto. So in the morning they set forth and marched to those parts to seek
battle; and Johannizza broke up his,camp, and marched back towards his own land.
The host followed after him for five days, and he as constantly retired before
them. On the fifth day they encamped at a very fair and pleasant place by a
castle called Fraim; and there they sojoumed three days.
And at this place there was a division in the host, and a company of valiant men
separated themselves therefrom because of a quarrel that they had with Henry,
the brother of the Emperor Baldwin. Of this company Baldwin of Beauvoir was
chief; and Hugh of Beaumetz went with him, and William of Gommegnies and Dreux
of Beaurain. There were some fifty knights who departed together in that
company; and they never thought the rest would dare to remain in the land in the
midst of their enemies.
RENIER OF TRIT RELIEVED AND DELIVERED
Then did Henry, the Regent of the empire, take council with the barons that were
with him; and they decided to ride forward. So they rode forward for two days,
and encamped in a very fair valley, near a castle called Moniac. The castle
yielded itself to them, and they remained there five days; and then said they
would go and relieve Renier of Trit, who was besieged in Stanimac, and had been
shut up therein for thirteen months. So Henry the Regent of the empire, remained
in the camp, with a great part of the host, and the remainder went forward to
relieve Renier of Trit at Stanimac.
And you must know that those who went forward went in very great peril, and that
any rescue so full of danger has but seldom been undertaken, seeing that they
rode for three days through the land of their enemies. In this rescue took part
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Conon of Béthune, and Geoffry of Villehardouin, Marshal of Roumania and
Champagne, and Macaire of Sainte-Menehould, and Miles the Brabant, and Peter of
Bracieux, and Payen of Orléans, and Anseau of Cayeux, and Thierri of Loos, and
William of Perchoi, and a body of Venetians under command of Andrew Valère. So
they rode forward till they came to the castle of Stanimac, and approached so
near that they could now see it.
Renier of Trit was on the walls, and he perceived the advanced guard, which was
under Geoffry the Marshal, and the other battalions, approaching in very good
order; and he knew not what people they might be. And no wonder that he was in
doubt, for of a long time he had heard no tidings of us ; and he thought we were
Greeks coming to besiege him.
Geoffry the Marshal of Roumania and Champagne took certain Turcoples [soldiers
born of a Turkish father atid a Greek mother] and mounted cross-bowmen and sent
them forward to see if they could learn the condition of the castle; for they
knew not if those within it were alive or dead, seeing that of a long time they
had heard no tidings of them. And when these came before the castle, Renier of
Trit and his men knew them; and you may well think what joy they had 1 They
issued forth and came to meet their friends, and all made great joy of each
other.
The barons quartered themselves in a very good city that lay at the foot of the
castle, and had aforetime besieged the castle. Then said the barons that they
had often heard tell that the Emperor Baldwin had died in Johannizza's prison,
but that they did not believe it. Renier of Trit, however, told them of a truth
that the emperor was dead, and then they believed it. Greatly did many then
grieve; alas I if only their grief had not been beyond remedy I
So they lay that night in the city; and on the morrow they departed, and
abandoned Stanimac. They rode for two days., and on the third they came to the
camp, below the castle of Moniac, that lies on the river Arta, where Henry, the
Emperor's brother, was waiting for them. Greatly did those of the host rejoice
over Renier of Trit, who had thus been rescued from durance, and great was the
credit given to those who had brought him back, for they had gone for him in
great peril.

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HENRY CROWNED EMPEROR - JOHANNIZZA RAVAGES THE COUNTRY AGAIN - THE EMPEROR
MARCHES AGAINST HIM
The barons now resolved that they would go to Constantinople, and crown Henry,
the brother of the Emperor Baldwin as emperor, and leave in the country Vemas,
and all the Greeks of the land, together with forty knights, whom Henry, the
Regent of the empire, would leave with him. So Henry, the Regent of the empire,
and the other barons, went towards Constantinople, and they rode from day to day
till they came thither, and right well were they received. They crowned Henry as
emperor with great joy and great honour in the church of St. Sophia, on the
Sunday (20th August) after the festival of our Lady St. Mary, in August. And
this was in the year of the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ twelve hundred
and six.
Now when Johannizza, the King of Wallachia and Bulgaria, heard that the emperor
had been crowned in Constantinople, and that Vemas had remained in the land of
Adrianople and Demotica, he collected together as large a force as he could. And
Vemas had not rebuilt the walls of Demotica where they had been breached by
Johannizza with his petraries and mangonels, and he had set but a weak garrison
therein. So Johannizza marched on Demotica, and took it, and destroyed it, and
rased the walls to the ground, and overran the whole country, and took men,
women, and children for a prey, and wrought devastation. Then did those in
Adrianople beseech the Emperor Henry to succour them, seeing that Demotica had
been lost in such cruel sort.
Then did the Emperor Henry summon as many people as he could, and issued from
Constantinople, and rode day by day towards Adrianople, with all his forces in
order. And Johannizza, the King of Wallachia, who was in the land, when he heard
that the emperor was coming, drew back into his own land. And the Emperor Henry
rode forward till he came to Adrianople, and he encamped outside the city in a
meadow.
Then came the Greeks of the land, and told him that johanriizza, the King of
Wallachia, was carrying off men and women and cattle, and that he had destroyed
Demotica, and wasted the country round; and that he was still within a
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day's march. The emperor settled that he would follow after, and do battle-if so
be that Johannizza would abide his coming-and deliver the men and women who were
being led away captive. So he rode after Johannizza, and Johannizza retired as
the emperor advanced, and the emperor followed him for four days. Then they came
to a city called Veroi.
When those who were in the city saw the host of the Emperor Henry approaching,
they fled into the mountains and abandoned the city. And the emperor came with
all his host, and encamped before the city, and found it well furnished with
corn and meat, and such other things as were needful. So they sojourned there
for two days, and the emperor caused his men to overrun the surrounding country,
and they obtained a large booty in beeves and cows and buffaloes, and otl-ler
beasts in very great plenty. Then he departed from Veroi with all his booty, and
rode to another city, a day's journey distant, called Blisnon. And as the other
Greeks had abandoned Veroi, so did the dwellers in Blisnon abandon their city;
and he found it furnished with all things necessary, and quartered himself
there.
THE EMPEROR MEETS JOHANNIZZA, AND RECAPTURES HIS PRISONERS
Then came tidings that in a certain valley, three leagues distant from the host,
were the men and women whom ohannizza was leading away captive, together with
9.11 his plunder, and all his chariots. Then did Henry appoint that the Greeks
from Adrianople and Demotica should go and recover the captives and the plunder,
two battalions of knights going with them; and as had been arranged, so was this
done on the morrow. The command of the one battalion was given to Eustace, the
brother of the Emperor Henry of Constantinople, and the command of the other to
Macaire of Sainte-Menehould.
So they rode, they and the Greeks, till they came to the valley of which they
had been told; and there they found the captives. And Johannizza's men engaged
the Emperor Henry's men, and men and horses were killed and wounded On either
side; but by the goodness of God, the Franks had
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the advantage, and rescued the captives, and caused them to turn again, and
brought them away.
And you must know that this was a mighty deliverance; for the captives numbered
full twenty thousand men, women, and children; and there were full three
thousand chariots laden with their clothes and baggage, to say nothing of other
booty in good quantity. The line of the captives, as they came to the camp, was
two great leagues in length, and they reached the camp that night. Then was the
Emperor Henry greatly rejoiced, and all the other barons; and they had the
captives lodged apart, and well guarded, with their goods, so that they lost not
one pennyworth of what they possessed. On the morrow the Emperor Henry rested
for the sake of the people he had delivered. And on the day after he left that
country, and rode day by day till he came to Adrianople.
There he set free the men and women he had rescued; and each one went
whithersoever he listed, to the land where he was bom, or to any other place.
The booty, of which he had great plenty, was divided in due shares among the
host. So the Emperor Henry sojoumed there five days, and then rode to the city
of Demotica, to see how far it had been destroyed, and whether it could again be
fortified. He encamped before the city, and saw, both he and his barons, that in
the state in which it then was, it were not well to refortify it.
PROJECTED MARRIAGE BETWEEN THE EMPEROR AND THE DAUGHTER OF BONIFACE - THE
CRUSADERS RAVAGE THE LANDS OF JOHANNIZZA
Then came to the camp, as envoy, a baron, Otho of La Roche by name, belonging to
the Marquis Boniface of Montferrat. He came to speak of a marriage that had been
spoken of aforetime between the daughter of Boniface, the Marquis of Montferrat,
and the Emperor Henry; and brought tidings that the lady had come from Lombardy,
whence her father had sent to summon her, and that she was now at Salonika. Then
did the emperor take council, and it was decided that the marriage should be
ratified on either side. So the envoy, Otho of La Roche, returned to Salonika.
The emperor had reassembled his men, who had gone to place in safe holding the
booty taken at Veroi. And he marched day by day from Adrianople till he came to
the land
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of Johannizza, the King of Wallachia and Bulgaria. They came to a city called
Ferme, and took it, and entered in, and won much booty. They remained there for
three days, and overran all the land, got very much spoil, and destroyed a city
called Aquilo.
On the fourth day they departed from Ferme, which was a city fair and well
situated, with hot water springs for bathing, the finest in the world; and the
emperor caused the city to be burned and destroyed, and they carried away much
spoil, in cattle and goods. Then they rode day by day till they came back to the
city of Adrianople; and thev sojoumed in the land till the feast of All Saints
(1st November 1206), when they could no longer carry on the war because of the
winter. So Henry and all his barons, who were much aweary of campaigning, turned
their faces towards Constantinople; and he left at Adrianople, among the Greeks,
a man of his named Peter of Radinghem, with ten knights.
THE EMPEROR RESUMES THE WAR AGAINST THEODORE LASCARIS
At that time Theodore Lascaris, who held the land on the other side of the
straits towards Turkey, was at truce with the Emperor Henry; but that truce he
had not kept well, having broken and violated it. So the emperor held council,
and sent to the other side of the straits, to the city of Piga, Peter of
Bracieux, to whom land had been assigned in those parts, and with him Payen of
Orléans, and Anseau of Cayeux, and Eustace, the emperor's brother, and a great
part of his best men to the number of seven score knights. These began to make
war in very grim and earnest fashion against Theodore Lascaris, and greatly
wasted his land.
They marched to a land called Skiza, which was surrounded by the sea except on
one side. And in old days the way of entry had been defended with walls and
towers, and moats, but these were now decayed. So the host of the French entered
in, and Peter of Bracieux, to whom the land had been devised, began to restore
the defences, and built two castles, and made two fortified ways of entry. From
thence they overran the land of Lascaris, and gained much booty and cattle, and
brought such booty and cattle into their island: Theodore Lascaris, on the other
hand, harked back upon
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Skiza, so that there were frequent battles and skirmishes, and losses on the one
side and on the other; and the war in those parts was fierce and perilous.
Now let us leave speaking of those who were at Skiza, and speak of Thierri of
Loos, who was seneschal, and to whom Nicomedia should have belonged; and
Nicomedia lay a day's journey from Nice the Great, the capital of the land of
Theodore Lascaris. Thierri then went thither, with a great body of the emperor's
men, and found that the castle had been destroyed. So he enclosed and fortified
the church of St. Sophia, which was very large and fair, and maintained the war
in that place.
ADVANTAGES OBTAINED BY BONIFACE - MARRIAGE OF HIS DAUGHTER WITH THE EMPEROR
At that time the Marquis Boniface of Montferrat departed from Salonika, and went
to Seres, which Johannizza had destroyed; and he rebuilt it; and afterwards
rebuilt a castle called Drama in the valley of Philippi. All the country round
about surrendered to him, and came under his rule; and he wintered in the land.
Meanwhile, so much time had gone by, that Christmas was now past. Then came
messengers from the marquis to the emperor at Constantinople to say that the
marquis had sent his daughter in a galley to the city of Abydos. So the Emperor
Henry sent Geoffry the Marshal of Roumania and Champagne, and Miles the Brabant,
to bring the lady; and these rode day by day till they came to Abydos.
They found the lady, who was very good and fair, and saluted her on behalf of
their lord Henry, the emperor, and brought her to Constantinople in great
honour. So the Emperor Henry was wedded to her in the Church of St. Sophia, on
the Sunday after the feast of our Lady St. Mary Candlemas (4th February I207),
with great joy and in great pomp; and they both wore a crown; and high were the
marriage-feastings in the palace of Bucoleon. Thus, as you have just heard, was
the marriage celebrated between the emperor and the daughter of the Marquis
Boniface, Agnes the empress by name.
THEODORE LASCARIS FORMS AN ALLIANCE WITH JOHANNIZZA
Theodore Lascaris, who was warring against the Emperor Henry, took messengers
and sent them to Johannizza, the King of Wallachia and Bulgaria. And he advised
Johannizza that all the forces of the Emperor Henry were fighting against him
(Lascaris) on the other side of the straits towards Turkey; that the emperor was
in Constantinople with but very few people; and that now was the time for
vengeance, inasmuch as he himself would be attacking the emperor on the one
side, and Johannizza on the other, and the emperor had so few men that he would
not be able to defend himself against both. Now Johannizza had already engaged a
great host of Comans, who were on their way to join his host; and had collected
together as large a force of Wallachians and Bulgarians as ever he could. And so
much time had now gone by, that it was the beginning of Lent (7th March 1207).
Macaire of Sainte-Menehould had begun to build a castle at Charax, which lies on
a gulf of the sea, six leagues from Nicomedia, towards Constantinople. And
William of Sains began to build another castle at Cibotos, that lies on the gulf
of Nicomedia, on the other side, towards Nice. And you must know that the
Emperor Henry had as much as he could do near Constantinople; as also the barons
who were in the land. And well does Geoffry of Villehardouin, the Marshal of
Champagne and Roumania, who is dictating this work, bear witness, that never at
any time were people so distracted and oppressed by war; this was by reason that
the host were scattered in so many places.
SIEGE OF ADRIANOPLE BY JOHANNIZZA - SIEGE OF SKIZA AND CIBOTOS BY LASCARIS
Then Johannizza left Wallachia with all his hosts, and with a great host of
Comans who joined themselves to him, and entered Roumania. And the Comans
overran the country up to the gates of Constantinople; and he himself besieged
Adrianople, and erected there thirty-three great petraries, which hurled stones
against the walls and the towers. And inside Adrianople were only the Greeks and

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Peter of Radinghem, who had been set there by the emperor, with ten knights.
Then the Greeks and the Latins together sent to tell the Emperor Henry how
Johannizza had besieged them, and prayed for succour.
Much was the emperor distraught when he heard this; for his forces on the other
side of the straits were so scattered, and were everywhere so hard pressed that
they could do no more than they were doing, while he himself had but few men in
Constantinople. None the less he undertook to take the field with as many men as
he could collect, in the Easter fortnight; and he sent word to Skiza, where most
of his people were, that they should come to him. So these began to come to him
by sea; Eustace, the brother of the Emperor Henry, and Anseau of Cayeux, and the
main part of their men, and thus only Peter of Bracieux, and Payen of Orléans,
with but few men, remained in Skiza.
When Theodore Lascaris heard tidings that Adrianople was besieged, and that the
Emperor Henry, through utter need, was recalling his people, and did not know
which way to tum-whether to this side or to that-so heavily was he oppressed by
the war, then did Lascaris with the greater zeal gather together all the people
he could,, and pitched his tents and pavilions before the gates of Skiza; and
many were the battles fought before Skiza, some lost and some won. And when
Theodore Lascaris saw that there were few people remaining in the city, he took
a great part of his host, and such ships as he could collect on the sea, and
sent them to the castle of Cibotos, which William of Sains was fortifying; and
they set siege to the castle by sea and land, on the Saturday in mid-Lent (31st
March 1207).
Within were forty knights, very good men, and Macaire of Sainte-Menehould was
their chief; and their castle was as yet but little fortified, so that their
foes could come at them with swords and lances. The enemy attacked them by land
and by sea very fiercely; and the assault lasted during the whole of Saturday,
and our people defended themselves very well. And this book bears witness that
never did fifty knights defend themselves at greater disadvantage against such
odds. And well may this appear, for of the knights that were there, all were
wounded save five only; and one was killed, who was nephew to Miles the Brabant,
and his name was Giles.
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THE EMPEROR ATTACKS THE FLEET OF THEODORE LASCARIS, AND RESCUES CIBOTOS
Before this assault began, on the Saturday morning, there came a messenger
flying to Constantinople. He found the Emperor Henry in the palace of
Blachernae, sitting at meat, and spoke to him thus: "Sire, be it known to you
that those at Cibotos are being attacked by land and sea; and if you do not
speedily deliver them, they will be taken, and but dead men."
With the emperor were Conon of Béthune, and Geoffry the Marshal of Champagne,
and Miles the Brabant, and but very few people. And they held a council, and the
council was but short, and the emperor went down to the shore, and entered into
a galleon; and each one was to take ship such as he could find. And it was
proclaimed throughout the city that all were to follow the emperor in the utter
need wherein he stood, to go and rescue his men, seeing that without help they
were but lost. Then might you have seen the whole city of Constantinople all
a-swarrn with Venetians and Pisans and other seafaring folk, running to their
ships, helterskelter and pell-mell; and with them entered into the ships the
knights, fully armed; and whosoever was first ready, he first left port to go
after the emperor.
So they went rowing hard all the evening, as long as the light lasted, and all
through the night till the dawn of the following day. And the emperor had used
such diligence, that a little after sun-rising he came in sight of Cibotos, and
of the host surrounding it by sea and land. And those who were within the castle
had not slept that night, but had kept guard through the whole night, however
sick or wounded they might be, as men who expected nothing but death.
The emperor saw that the Greeks were close to the walls and about to assault the
city. Now he himself had but few of his people with him-among them were Geoffry
the Marshal in another ship, and Miles the Brabant, and certain Pisans, and
other knights, so that he had some sixteen ships great and small, while on the
other side there were full sixty. Nevertheless they saw that if they waited for
their people, and suffered the Greeks to assault Cibotos, then those within
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must be all killed or taken; and when they saw this they decided to sail against
the enemy's ships.
They sailed thitherward therefore in line; and all those on board the ships were
fully armed, and with their helms laced. And when the Greeks, who were about to
attack the castle, saw us coming, they perceived that help was at hand for the
besieged, and they avoided the castle, and came to meet us; and all this great
host, both horse and foot, drew up on the shore. And the Greeks on ship-board
[The meaning here is a little obscure in the original ] when they saw that the
emperor and his people meant to attack them in any case, drew back towards those
on shore, so that the latter might give them help with bows and darts.
So the emperor held them close with his seventeen ships, till the shouts of
those coming from Constantinople began to reach him; and when the night fell so
many had come up that the Franks were everywhere in force upon the sea; and they
lay all armed during the night, and cast anchor. And they settled that as soon
as they saw the day, they would go and do battle with the enemy on the shore,
and also seize their ships. But when it came to about midnight, the Greeks
dragged all their ships to land, and set fire to them, and burned them all, and
broke up their camp, and went away flying.
The Emperor Henry and his host were right glad of the victory that God had given
them,,and that they had thus been able to succour their people. And when it came
to be morning, the emperor and his barons went to the castle of Cibotos, and
found those who were therein very sick, and for the most part sore wounded. And
the emperor and his people looked at the castle, and saw that it was so weak as
not to be worth the holding. So they gathered all their people into the ships,
and left the castle and abandoned it. Thus did the Emperor Henry return to
Constantinople.
JOHANNIZZA RAISES THE SIEGE OF ADRIANOPLE
Johannizza, the king of Wallachia, who had besieged Adrianople, gave himself no
rest, for his petraries, of which he had many, cast stones night and day against
the walls and towers, and damaed the walls and towers very greatly. And he set
his sappers to mine the walls, and made many
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assaults. And well did those who were within, both Greeks and Latins, maintain
themselves, and often did they beg the Emperor Henry to succour them, and wam
him that, if he did not succour them, they were utterly undone. The emperor was
much distraught; for when he wished to go and succour his people at Adrianople
on the one side, then Theodore Lascaris pressed upon him so straitly on the
other side, that of necessity he was forced to draw back.
So Johannizza remained during the whole month of April (1207) before Adrianople;
and he came so near to taking it that in two places he beat down the walls and
towers to the ground, and his men fought hand to hand, with swords and lances,
against those who were within. Also he made assaults in force, and the besieged
defended themselves well; and there were many killed and wounded on one side and
on the other.
As it pleases God that adventures should be ordered, so it befell that the
Comans who had overrun the land, and gained much booty, and returned to the camp
before Adrianople, with all their spoils, now said they would remain with
Johannizza no longer, but go back to their own land. Thus the Comans abandoned
Johannizza. And without them he dared not remain before Adrianople. So he
departed from before the city, and left it.
And you must know that this was held to be a great miracle: that the siege of a
city so near to the taking should be abandoned, and by a man possessed of such
power. But as God wills, so do events befall. Those in Adrianople made no delay
in begging the emperor, for the love of God, to come to them as soon as he
could; for sooth it was that if Johannizza, the King of Wallachia returned, they
would all be killed or taken.
SKIZA AGAIN BESIEGED BY THEODORE LASCARIS - THE EMPEROR DELIVERS THE CITY
The emperor, with as many men as he possessed, had prepared to go to Adrianople,
when tidings came, very grievous, that Escurion, who was admiral of the galleys
of Theodore Lascaris, had entered with seventeen galleys into the straits of
Abydos, in the channel of St. George, and come before Skiza, where Peter of
Bracieux then was, and Payen of
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Orléans; and that the said Escurion was besieging the city by sea, while
Theodore Lascaris was besieging it by land. Moreover, the people of the land of
Skiza had rebelled against Peter of Bracieux, as also those of Marmora, and had
wrought him great harm, and killed many of his people.
When these tidi . ngs came to Constantinople, they were greatly dismayed. Then
did the Emperor Henry take council with his men, and his barons, and the
Venetians also; and they said that if they did not succour Peter of Bracieux,
and Payen of Orléans, they were but dead men, and the land would be lost. So
they armed fourteen galleys in all diligence, and set in them the Venetians of
most note, and all the barons of the emperor.
In one galley entered Conon of Béthune and his people; in another Geoffry of
Villehardouin and his people; in the third Macaire of Sainte-Menehould and his
people; in the fourth Miles the Brabant in the fifth Anscau of Cayeux; in the
sixth Thierri of Loos, who was seneschal of Roumania; m the seventh William of
Perchoi; and in the eighth Eustace the Emperor's brother. Thus did the Emperor
Henry put into all these galleys the best people that he had; and when they left
the port of Constantinople, well did all say that never had galleys been better
armed, nor manned with better men. And thus, for this time, the march on
Adrianople was again put off.
Those who were in the galleys sailed down the straits, right towards Skiza. How
Escurion, the admiral of Theodore Lascaris' galleys, heard of it, I know not;
but he abandoned Skiza, and went away, and fled down the straits. And the others
chased him two days and two nights, beyond the straits of Abydos, forty miles.
And when they saw they could not come up with him, they turned back, and came to
Skiza, and found there Peter of Bracieux and Payen of Orléans; and Theodore
Lascaris had dislodged from before the city and repaired to his own land. Thus
was Skiza relieved, as you have just heard; and those in the galleys turned back
to Constantinople, and prepared once more to march on Adrianople.
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THE EMPEROR TWICE DELIVERS NICOMEDIA, BESIEGED BY THEODORE LASCARIS
Theodore Lascaris sent the most part of his force into the land of Nicomedia.
And the people of Thierri of Loos, who had fortified the church of St. Sophia,
and were therein, besought their lord and the emperor to come to their relief;
for if they received no help they could not hold out, especially as they had no
provisions. Through sheer distress and sore need, the Emperor Henry and his
people agreed that they must once more abandon thought of going to Adrianople,
and cross the straits of St. George, to the Turkish side, with as many people as
they could collect, and succour Nicomedia.
And when the people of Theodore Lascaris heard that the emperor was coming, they
avoided the land, and retreated towards Nice the Great. And when the emperor
knew of it, he took council, and it was decided that Thierri of Loos, the
seneschal of Roumania, should abide in Nicomedia, with all his knights, and all
his sergeants, to guard the land; and Macaire of Sainte-Menehould should abide
at Charax, and William of Perchoi in Skiza; and each defend the land where he
abode.
Then did the Emperor Henry, and the remainder of his people return to
Constantinople, and prepare once again to go towards Adrianople. And while he
was so preparing, Thierri of Loos the seneschal, who was in Nicomedia, and
William of Perchoi, and all their people, went out foraging on a certain day.
And the people of Theodore Lascaris knew of it, and surprised them, and fell
upon them. Now the people of Theodore Lascaris were very many, and our people
very few. So the battle began, and they fought hand to hand, and before very
long the few were not able to stand against the many.
Thierri of Loos did right well, as also his people; he was twice struck down,
and by main strength his men remounted him. And William of Perchoi was also
struck down, and remounted and rescued. But numbers hemmed them in too sore, and
the Franks were discomfited. There was taken Thierri of Loos, wounded in the
face, and in peril of death. There, too, were most of his people taken, for few
escaped. William of Perchoi fled on a hackney, wounded in the hand.
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Those that escaped from the discomfiture rallied in the church of St. Sophia.
He who dictates this history heard blame attached in this affair-whether rightly
or wrongly he knows not-to a certain knight named Anseau of Remi, who was
liegeman of Thierri of Loos the seneschal, and chief of his men; and who
abandoned him in the fray.
Then did those who had returned to the church of St. Sophia in Nicomedia, viz.
William of Perchoi and Anseau of Remi, take a messenger, and send him flying to
Constantinople, to the Emperor Henry; and they told the emperor what had
befallen, how the seneschal had been taken with his men; how they themselves
were besieged in the church of St. Sophia, in Nicomedia, and how they had food
for no more than five days; and they told him he must know of a certainty that
if he did not succour them they must be killed or taken. The emperor, as one
hearing a cry of distress, passed over the straits of St. George, he and his
people, each as best he could, and pell-mell, to go to the relief of those in
Nicomedia. And so the march to Adrianople was put off once more.
When the emperor had passed over the straits of St. George, he set his troops in
array, and rode day by day till he came to Nicomedia. When the people of
Theodore Lascaris, and his brothers, who formed the host, heard thereof, they
drew back, and passed over the mountain on the other side, towards Nice. And the
emperor encamped by Nicomedia in a very fair field that lay beside the river on
this side of the mountain. He had his tents and pavilions pitched; and caused
his men to overrun and harry the land, because the people had rebelled when they
heard that Thierri of Loos, the seneschal, was taken; and the emperor's men
captured much cattle and many prisoners.
TRUCE WITH THEODORE LASCARIS - THE EMPEROR INVADES THE LANDS OF JOHANNIZZA
The Emperor Henry sojoumed after this manner for five days in the meadow by
Nicomedia. And while he was thus sojourning, Theodore Lascaris took messengers,
and sent them to him, asking him to make a truce for two years, on condition
that the emperor would suffer him to demolish
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Skiza and the fortress of the church of St. Sophia of Nicomedia, while he, on
his side, would yield up all the prisoners taken in the last victory, or at
other times of whom he had a great many in his land.
Now the emperor took council with his people; and they said that they could not
maintain two wars at the same time, and that it was better to suffer loss as
proposed than suffer the loss of Adrianople, and the land on the other side of
the straits; and moreover that they.would (by agreeing to this truce) cause
division between their enemies, viz. Johannizza, the King of Wallachia and
Bulgaria and Theodore Lascaris who were now friends, and helped one another in
the war.
The matter was thus settled and agreed to. Then the Emperor Henry summoned Peter
of Bracieux from Skiza; and he came to him; and the Emperor Henry so wrought
with him that he gave up Skiza into his hands, and the emperor delivered it to
Theodore Lascaris to be demolished, as also the church of St. Sophia of
Nicomedia. So was the truce established, and so were the fortresses demolished.
Thierri of Loos was given up, and all the other prisoners.
Then the Emperor Henry repaired to Constantinople, and undertook once more to go
to Adrianople with as many men as he could collect. He assembled his host at
Selymbria; and so much time had already passed that this did not take place till
after the feast of St. John, in June (1207). And he rode day by day till he came
to Adrianople, and encamped in the fields before the city. And those within the
city, who had greatly desired his coming, went out to meet him in procession,
and received him very gladly.. And all the Greeks of the land came with them.
The emperor remained only one day before the city to see all the damage that
Johannizza had done to the walls and towers, with mines and petraries; and these
had worked great havoc to the city. And on the morrow he departed', and marched
towards the country of Johannizza, and so marched for four days. On the fifth
day he came to the foot of the mountain of Wallachia, to a city called Euloi,
which Johannizza had newly repeopled with his folk. And when the people of the
land saw the host coming, they abandoned the city, and fled into the mountains.
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THE EMPEROR'S FORAGERS SUFFER LOSS
The Emperor Henry and the host of the French encamped before the city; and the
foraging parties overran the land and captured oxen, and cows, and beeves in
great plenty and other beasts. And those from Adrianople, who had brought their
chariots with them, and were poor and illfurnished with food, loaded their
chariots with corn and other grain; and they found also provisions in plenty and
loaded with them, in great quantities, the other chariots that they had
captured. So the host sojoumed there for three days; and every day the foraging
parties went foraging throughout the land; but the land was full of mountains,
and strong defiles, and the host lost many foragers, who adventured themselves
madly.
In the end, the Emperor Henry sent Anscau of Cayeux to guard the foragers, and
Eustace his brother, and Thierri of Flanders, his nephew, and Walter of Escomai,
and John Bliaud. Their four battalions went to guard the foragers, and entered
into a land rough and mountainous. And when their people had overrun the land,
and wished to return, they found the defiles very well guarded. For the
Wallachians of the country had assembled, and fought against them, and did them
great hurt, both to men and horses. Hardly were our men put to it to escape
discomfiture; and the knights had, of necessity, to dismount and go on foot. But
by God's help they returned to the camp, though not without great loss and
damage.
On the morrow the Emperor Henry, and the host of the French departed thence, and
marched day by day till they came to Adrianople; and they stored therein the
corn and other provisions that they brought with them. The emperor sojourned in
the field before the city some fifteen days.
HOMAGE RENDERED BY BONIFACE TO THE EMPEROR, AND BY GEOFFRY OF VILLEHARDOUIN TO
BONIFACE
At that time Boniface, the Marquis of Montferrat, who was at Seres, which he had
fortified, rode forth as far as Messinopolis, and all the land surrendered to
his will. Then he took messengers, and sent them to the Emperor Henry, and told
him that he would right willingly speak with him
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by the river that runs below Cypsela. Now they two had never been able to speak
together face to face since the conquest of the land, for so many enemies lay
between them that the one had never been able to come to the other. And when the
emperor and those of his councilheardthat themarquis Boniface was at
Messinopolis, they rejoiced greatly; and the emperor sent back word by the
messengers that he would speak with the marquis on the day appointed.
So the emperor went thitherward, and he left Conon of Bethune to guard the land
near Adrianople, with one hundred knights. And they came on the set day to the
place of meeting in a very fair field, near the city of Cypsela. The emperor
came from one side, and the marquis from the other, and they met with very great
joy; nor is that to be wondered at, seeing they had not, of a long time, beheld
one another. And the marquis asked the emperor for tidings of his daughter
Agnes; and the emperor told him she was with child, and the marquis was glad
thereof and rejoiced. Then did the marquis become liegeman to the emperor, and
held from him his land, as he had done from the Emperor Baldwin, his brother.
And the marquis gave to Geoffry of Villehardouin, Marshal of Roumania and
Champagne, the city of Messinopolis, and all its appurtenances, or else that of
Seres, whichever he liked best; and the Marshal became his liegeman, save in so
far as he owed fealty to the emperor of Constantinople.
They sojourned thus in that field for two days, in great joy, and said that, as
God had granted that they should come together, so might they yet again defeat
their enemies. And they made agreement to meet at the end of the summer, in the
month of October, with all their forces, in the meadow before the city of
Adrianople, and make war against the King of Wallachia. So they separated joyous
and well content. The marquis went to Messinopolis, and the Emperor Henry
towards Constantinople.
BONIFACE IS KILLED IN A BATTLE AGAINST THE BULGARIANS
When the marquis had come to Messinopolis, he did not remain there more than
five days before he rode forth, by the advice of the Greeks of the land, on an
expedition to the mountain of Messinopolis, which was distant a long day's
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journey. And when he had been through the land, and was about to depart, the
Bulgarians of the land collected and saw that the marquis had but a small force
with him. So they came from all parts and attacked the rear-guard. And when the
marquis heard the shouting, he leapt on a horse, all unarmed as he was, with a
lance in his hand. And when he came together, where the Bulgarians were fighting
with the rear-guard, hand to hand, he ran in upon them, and drove them a great
way back.
Then was the Marquis Boniface of Montferrat wounded with an arrow, in the thick
of the arm, beneath the shoulder, mortally, and he began to lose blood. And when
his men saw it, they began to be dismayed, and to lose heart, and to bear
themselves badly. Those who were round the marquis held him up, and he was
losing much blood; and he began to faint. And when his men perceived that he
could give them no farther help, they were the more dismayed, and began to
desert him. So were they discomfited by misadventure; and those who remained by
him-and they were but fewwere killed.
The head of the Marquis Boniface of Montferrat was cut off, and the people of
the land sent it to Johannizza; and that was one of the greatest joys that ever
Johannizza had. Alas! what a dolorous mishap for the Emperor Henry, and for all
the Latins of the land of Roumania, to lose such a man by such a
misadventure-one of the best barons and most liberal, and one of the best
knights in the world! And this misadventure befell in the year of the
Incarnation of Jesus Christ, twelve hundred and seven.
END

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