Memoirs or Chronicle of the Fourth Crusade and the Conquest of Constantinople

28

had arrived in the port, then might you have seen many a good knight
and many a good sergeant leading many a good war-horse and going to
meet him. Thus they received him with very great joy, and much high
honour. And he had his tent pitched in the midst of the host; and
quite near was pitched the tent of the Marquis of Montferrat, to whose
ward he had been commended by King Philip, who had his sister to wife.

HOW THE CHIEFS OF THE CRUSADERS HELD BACK THOSE WHO WANTED TO ABANDON THE
HOST

The host sojourned thus for three weeks in that island, which was very
rich and plenteous. And while they sojoumed, there happened a
misadventure fell and grievous. For a great part of those who wished
to break up the host, and had aforetime been hostile to it, spoke
together and said that the adventure to be undertaken seemed very long
and very perilous, and that they, for their part, would remain in the
island, suffering the host to depart, and that-when the host had so
departed-they would, through the people of Corfu, send to Count Walter
of Brienne, who then held Brandis, so that he might send ships to take
them thither.

I cannot tell you the names of all those who wrought in this matter,
but I will name some among the most notable of the chiefs, viz., Odo
of Champlitte, of Champagne, James of Avesnes, Peter of Amiens, Guy
the Castellan of Coucy, Oger of Saint-Chιron, Guy of Chappes and
Clerembaud his nephew, William of Aunoi, Peter Coiseau, Guy of Pesmes
and Edmund his brother, Guy of Conflans, Richard of Dampierre, Odo his
brother, and many more who had promised privily to be of their party,
but who dared not for shame openly so to avow themselves; in such sort
that the book testifies that more than half the host were in this
mind.

And when the Marquis of Montferrat heard thereof, and Count Baldwin of
Flanders, and Count Louis, and the Count of St. Paul, and the barons
who held with them, they were greatly troubled, and said: " Lords, we
are in evil case. If these people depart from us, after so many who
have departed from us aforetime, our host is doomed, and we shall make
no conquests. Let us then go to them, and fall at their feet, and cry
to them for mercy, and for God's sake to have compas-

29

sion upon themselves and upon us, and not to dishonour themselves, and
ravish from us the deliverance of the land overseass

Thus did the council decide; and they went, all together, to a valley
where those of the other part were holding their parliament; and they
took with them the son of the Emperor of Constantinople, and all the
bishops and all the abbots of the host. And when they had come to the
place they dismounted and went forward, and the barons fell at the
feet of those of the other part, greatly weeping, and said they would
not stir till those of the other part had promised not to depart from
them.

And when those of the other part saw this, they were filled with very
great compassion; and they wept very bitterly at seeing their lords,
and their kinsmen, and their friends, thus lying at their feet. So
they said they would consult together, and drew somewhat apart, and
there communed. And the sum of their communing was this: that they
would remain with the host till Michaelmas, on condition that the
other part would swear, loyally, on holy relics, that from that day
and thenceforward, at whatever hour they might be summoned to do so,
they would in all good faith, and without guile, within fifteen days,
furnish ships wherein the non-contents might betake themselves to
Syria.

Thus was covenant made and sworn to; and then was there great joy
throughout all the host. And all gat themselves to the ships, and the
horses were put into the transports.

DEPARTURE FROM CORFU-CAPTURE OF ANDROS AND ABYDOS

Then did they sail from the port of Corfu on the eve of Pentecost
(24th May), which was twelve hundred and three years after the
Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. And there were all the ships
assembled, and all the transports, and all the galleys of the host,
and many other ships of merchants that fared with them. And the day
was fine and clear, and the wind soft and favourable, and they
unfurled all their sails to the breeze.

And Geoffry, the Marshal of Champagne, who dictates this work, and has
never lied therein by one word to his know-

30

ledge, and who was moreover present at all the councils held -he bears
witness that never was yet seen so fair a sight. And well might it
appear that such a fleet would conquer and gain lands, for, far as the
eye could reach, there was no space without sails, and ships, and
vessels, so that the hearts of men rejoiced greatly.

Thus they sailed over the sea till they came to Malea, to straits that
are by the sea. And there they met two ships with pilgrims, and
knights and sergeants returning from Syria, and they were of the
parties that had gone to Syria by Marseilles. And when these saw our
fleet so rich and well appointed, they conceived such shame that they
dared not show themselves. And Count Baldwin of Flanders sent a boat
from Ws ship to ask what people they were; and they said who they
were.

And a sergeant let himself down from his ship into the boat, and said
to those in the ship, " I cry quits to you for any goods of mine that
may remain in the ship, for I am going with these people, for well I
deem that they will conquer lands. "Much did we make of the sergeant,
and gladly was he received in the host. For well may it be said, that
even after following a thousand crooked ways a man may find his way
right in the end.

The host fared forward till it came to Nigra (Negropont). Nigra is a
very fair island, and there is on it a very good city called
Negropont. Here the barons took council. Then went forward the Marquis
Boniface of Montferrat, and Count Baldwin of Flanders and Hainault,
with a great part of the transports and galleys, taking with them the
son of the Emperor Isaac of Constantinople; and they came to an island
called Andros, and there landed. The knights took their arms, and
over-rode the country; and the people of the land came to crave mercy
of the son of the Emperor of Constantinople, and gave so much of their
goods that they made peace with Wm.

Then they returned to the ships, and sailed over the sea; when a great
mishap befell, for a great lord of the host, whose name was Guy,
Castellan of Coucy, died, and was cast into the sea.

The other ships, which had not sailed thitherward, had entered the
passage of Abydos, and it is there that the straits of St. George (the
Dardanelles) open into the great

31

sea. And they sailed up the straits to a city called Abydos, which
lies on the straits of St. George, towards Turkey, and is very fair,
and well situate. There they took port and landed, and those of the
city came to meet them, and surrendered the city, as men without
stomach to defend themselves. And such guard was established that
those of the city lost not one stiver current.

They sojoumed there eight days to wait for the ships transports and
galleys that had not yet come up. And while they thus sojourned, they
took corn from the land, for it was the season of harvest, and great
was their need thereof, for before they had but little. And within
those eight days all the ships and barons had come up. God gave them
fair weather.

ARRIVAL AT ST. STEPHEN - DELIBERATION AS TO PLAN OF ATTACK

All started from the port of Abydos together. Then might you have seen
the Straits of St. George (as it were) in flower with ships and
galleys sailing upwards, and the beauty thereof was a great marvel to
behold. Thus they sailed up the Straits of St. George till they came,
on St. John the Baptist's Eve, in June (23rd June 1203) to St.
Stephen, an abbey that lay three leagues from Constantinople. There
had those on board the ships and galleys and transports full sight of
Constantinople; and they took port and anchored their vessels.

Now you may know that those who had never before seen Constantinople
looked upon it very earnestly, for they never thought there could be
in all the world so rich a city; and they marked the high walls and
strong towers that enclosed it round about, and the rich palaces, and
mighty churches of which there were so many that no one would have
believed it who had not seen it with his eyes-and the height and the
length of that city which above all others was sovereign. And be it
known to you, that no man there was of such hardihood but his flesh
trembled: and it was no wonder, for never was so great an enterprise
undertaken by any people since the creation of the world.

Then landed the counts and barons and the Doge of Venice, and a
parliament was held in the church of St. -

32

Stephen. There were many opinions set forth, this way and that. All
the words then spoken shall not be recorded in this book; but in the
end the Doge rose on his feet and said: "Signors, I know the state of
this land better than you do, for I have been here erewhile. We have
undertaken the greatest enterprise, and the most perilous, that ever
people have undertaken. Therefore it behoves us to go to work warily.
Be it known to you that if we go on dry ground, the land is great and
large, and our people are poor and ill-provided. Thus they will
disperse to look for food; and the people of the land are in great
multitude, and we cannot keep such good watch but that some of ours
will be lost. Nor are we in case to lose any, for our people are but
few indeed for the work in hand.

"Now there are islands close by which you can see from here, and these
are inhabited, and produce corn, and food, and other things. Let us
take port there, and gather the corn and provisions of the land. And
when we have collected our supplies, let us go before the city, and do
as our Lord shall provide. For he that has supplies, wages war with
more certainty than he that has none. "To this counsel the lords and
barons agreed, and all went back to their ships and vessels.

THE CRUSADERS LAND AT CHALCEDON AND SCUTARI

They rested thus that night. And in the morning, on the day of the
feast of our Lord St. John the Baptist in June (24th June 1203), the
banners and pennants were flown on the castles of the ships, and the
coverings taken from the shields, and the bulwarks of the ships
garnished. Every one looked to his antis, such as he should use, for
well each man knew that full soon he would have need of them.

The sailors weighed the anchors, and spread the sails to the wind, and
God gave them a good wind, such as was convenient to them. Thus they
passed before Constantinople, and so near to the walls and towers that
we shot at many of their vessels. There were so many people on the
walls and towers that it seemed as if there could be no more people
(in the world).

Then did God our Lord set to naught the counsel of the day before, and
keep us from sailing to the islands: that counsel

33

fell to naught as if none had ever heard thereof. For lo, our ships
made for the mainland as straight as ever they could, and took port
before a palace of the Emperor Alexius, at a place called Chalcedon.
This was in face of Constantinople, on the other side of the straits,.
towards Turkey. The palace was one of the most beautiful and
delectable that ever eyes could see, with every delight therein that
the heart of man could desire, and convenient for the house of a
prince.

The counts and barons landed and lodged themselves in the palace; and
in the city round about, the main part pitched their tents. Then were
the horses taken out of the transports, and the knights and sergeants
got to land with all their arms, so that none remained in the ships
save the mariners only. The country was fair, and rich) and well
supplied with all good things, and the sheaves of corn (which had been
reaped) were in the fields, so that all-and they stood in no small
need-might take thereof.

Thev soioumed thus in that palace the following day; and on the third
day God gave them a good wind, and the mariners raised their anchors,
and spread their sails to the wind. They went thus up the straits, a
good league above Constantinople, to a palace that belonged to the
Emperor Alexius, and was called Scutari. There the ships anchored, and
the transports, and all the galleys. The horsemen who had lodged in
the palace of Chalcedon went along the shore by land.

The host of the French encamped thus on the straits of St. George, at
Scutari, and above it. And when the Emperor Alexius saw this, he
caused his host to issue from Constantinople, and encamp over against
us on the other side of the straits, and there pitched his tents, so
that we might not take land against him by force. The host of the
French sojourned thus for nine days, and those obtained supplies who
needed them, and that was every one in the host.

THE FORAGERS DEFEAT THE GREEKS

During this time, a company of good and trustworthy men issued (from
the camp) to guard the host, for fear it should be attacked, and the
foragers searched the country. In the said company were Odo of
Champlitte, of Champagne, and William his brother, and Oger of
Saint-Chιron, and

34

Manasses of l'Isle, and Count Girard, a count of Lombardy, a retainer
of the Marquis of Montferrat; and they had with them at least eighty
knights who were good men and true.

And they espied, at the foot of a mountain, some three leagues distant
from the host, certain tents belonging to the Grand Duke of the
Emperor of Constantinople, who had with him at least five hundred
Greek knights. When our people saw them, they formed their men into
four battalions, and decided to attack. And when the Greeks saw this,
they formed their battalions, and arrayed themselves in rank before
their tents, and waited. And our people went forward and fell upon
them right vigorously.

By the help of God our Lord, this fight lasted but a little while, and
the Greeks turned their backs. They were discomfited at the first
onset, and our people pursued them for a full great league. There they
won plenty of horses and stallions, and palfreys, and mules, and tents
and pavilions, and such spoil as is usual in such case. So they
returned to the host, where they were right well received, and their
spoils were divided, as was fit.

MESSAGE OF THE EMPEROR ALEXIUS-REPLY OF THE CRUSADERS

The next day after, the Emperor Alexius sent an envoy with letters to
the counts and to the barons. This envoy was called Nicholas Roux, and
he was a native of Lombardy. He found the barons in the rich palace of
Scutari, where they were holding council and he saluted them on the
part of the Emperor Alexius of Constantinople, and tendered his
letters to the Marquis of Montferrat-who received them. And the
letters were read before all the barons; and there were in them words,
written after various manners, which the book does not (here) relate,
and at the end of the other words so written, came words of credit,
accrediting the bearer of the letters, whose name was Nicholas Roux.

"Fair Sir," said the barons, "we have seen your letters, and they tell
us that we are to give credit to what you say, and we credit you right
well. Now speak as it pleases you."

And the envoy was standing before the barons, and spoke thus: "Lords,"
said he, "the Emperor Alexius would have you know that he is well
aware that you are the best people

35

uncrowned, and come from the best land on earth. And he marvels much
why, and for what purpose, you have come into his land and kingdom.
For you are Christians, and he is a Christian, and well he knows that
you are on your way to deliver the Holy Land overseass and the Holy
Cross, and the Sepulchre. If you are poor and in want, he will right
willmgly give you of his food and substance, provided you depart out
of his land. Neither would he otherwise wish to do you any hurt,
though he has full power therein, seeing that if you were twenty times
as numerous as you are, you would not be able to get away without
utter discomfiture if so be that he wished to harm you."

By agreement and desire of the other barons, and of the Doge of
Venice, then rose to his feet Conon of Bιthune, who was a good knight,
and wise, and very eloquent, and he replied to the envoy: " Fair Sir,
you have told us that your lord marvels much why our signors and
barons should have entered into Ms kingdom and land. Into his land
they have not entered, for he holds this land wrongfully and wickedly,
and against God and against reason. It belongs to Ws nephew, who sits
upon a throne among us, and is the son of his brother, the Emperor
Isaac. But if he is willing to throw himself on the mercy of his
nephew, and to give Mm back his crown and empire, then we will pray
his nephew to forgive him, and bestow upon him as much as will enable
him to live wealthily. And if you come not as the bearer of such a
message, then be not so bold as to come here again." So the envoy
departed and went back to Constantinople, to the Emperor Alexius.

THE CRUSADERS SHOW THE YOUNG ALEXIUS TO THE PEOPLE OF CONSTANTINOPLE, AND
PREPARE FOR THE BATTLE

The barons consulted together on the morrow, and said that they would
show the young Alexius, the son of the Emperor of Constantinople, to
the people of the city. So they assembled all the galleys. The Doge of
Venice and the Marquis of Montferrat entered into one, and took with
them Alexius, the son of the Emperor Isaac; and into the other galleys
entered the knights and barons, as many as would.

They went thus quite close to the walls of Constantinople and showed
the youth to the people of the Greeks, and said,

36

"Behold your natural lord; and be it known to you that we have not
come to do you harm, but have come to guard and defend you, if so be
that you return to your duty. For he whom you now obey as your lord
holds rule by wrong and wickedness, against God and reason. And you
know full well that he has dealt treasonably with him who is your lord
and his brother, that he has blinded his eyes and reft from him his
empire by wrong and wickedness. Now behold the rightful heir. If you
hold with him, you will be doing as you ought; and if not we will do
to you the very worst that we can." But for fear and terror of the
Emperor Alexius, not one person on the land or in the city made show
as if he held for the prince. So all went back to the host, and each
sought his quarters.

On the morrow, when they had heard mass, they assembled in parliament,
and the parliament was held on horseback in the midst of the fields.
There might you have seen many a fine war-horse, and many a good
knight thereon. And the council was held to discuss the order of the
battalions, how many they should have, and of what strength. Many were
the words said on one side and the other. But in the end it was
settled that the advanced guard should be given to Baldwin of
Flanders, because he had a very great number of good men, and archers
and crossbowmen, more than any other chief that was in the host.

And after, it was settled that Henry his brother, and Matthew of
Wallincourt, and Baldwin of Beauvoir, and many other good knights of
their land and country, should form the second division.

The third division was formed by Count Hugh of St. Paul, Peter of
Amiens his nephew, Eustace of Canteleu, Anseau of Cayeux, and many
good knights of their land and country.

The fourth division was formed by Count Louis of Blois and Chartres,
and was very numerous and rich and redoubtable; for he had placed
therein a great number of good knights and men of worth.

The fifth division was formed by Matthew of Montmorency and the men of
Champagne. Geoffry the Marshal of Champagne formed part of it, and
Oger of Saint-Chιron, Manasses of l'Isle, Miles the Brabant, Macaire
of Sainte-Menehould, John Foisnous, Guy of Chappes, Clerembaud his
nephew, Robert of Ronsoi; all these people formed part of the fifth

37

division. Be it known to you that there was many a good knight
therein.

The sixth division was formed by the people of Burgundy. In this
division were Odo the Champenois of Champlitte, William his brother,
Guy of Pesmes, Edmund his brother, Otho of la Roche, Richard of
Dampierre, Odo his brother, Guy of Conflans, and the people of their
land and country.

The seventh division, which was very large, was under the command of
the Marquis of Montferrat. In it were the Lombards and Tuscans and the
Germans, and all the people who were from beyond Mont Cenis to Lyons
on the Rhone. All these formed part of the division under the marquis,
and it was settled that they should form the rearguard.

THE CRUSADERS SEIZE THE PORT

The day was fixed on which the host should embark on the ships and
transports to take the land by force, and either live or die. And be
it known to you that the enterprise to be achieved was one of the most
redoubtable ever attempted. Then did the bishops and clergy speak to
the people, and tell them how they must confess, and make each one his
testament, seeing that no one knew what might be the will of God
concerning him. And this was done right willingly throughout the host,
and very piously.

The term fixed was now come; and the knights went on board the
transports with their war-horses; and they were fully armed, with
their helmets laced, and the horses covered with their housings, and
saddled. All the other folk, who were of less consequence in battle,
were on the great ships; and the galleys were fully armed and made
ready.

The morning was fair a little after the rising of the sun; and the
Emperor Alexius stood waiting for them on the other side, with great
forces, and everything in order. And the trumpets sound, and every
galley takes a transport in tow, so as to reach the other side more
readily. None ask who shall go first, but each makes the land as soon
as he can. The knights issue from the transports, and leap into the
sea up to their waists, fully armed, with helmets laced, and lances in
hand; and the good archers, and the good sergeants, and the good
crossbowmen, each in his company, land so soon as they touch ground.

38

The Greeks made a goodly show of resistance; but when it came to the
lowering of the lances, they turned their backs, and went away flying,
and abandoned the shore. And be it known to you that never was port
more proudly taken. Then began the mariners to open the ports of the
transports, and let down the bridges, and take out the horses; and the
knights began to mount, and they began to marshal the divisions of the
host in due order.

CAPTURE OF THE TOWER OF GALATA

Count Baldwin of Flanders and Hainault, with the advanced guard, rode
forward, and the other divisions of the host after him, each in due
order of march; and they came to where the Emperor Alexius had been
encamped. But he had turned back towards Constantinople, and left his
tents and pavilions standing. And there our people had much spoil.

Our barons were minded to encamp by the port before the tower of
Galata, where the chain was fixed that closed the port of
Constantinople. And be it known to you, that any one must perforce
pass that chain before he could enter into the port. Well did our
barons then perceive that if they did not take the tower, and break
the chain, they were but as dead men, and in very evil case. So they
lodged that night before the tower, and in the Jewry that is called
Stenon, where there was a good city, and very rich.

Well did they keep guard during the night; and on the morrow, at the
hour of tierce, those who were in the tower of Galata made a sortie,
and those who were in Constantinople came to their help in barges; and
our people ran to arms. There came first to the onset James of Avesnes
and his men on foot; and be it known to you that he was fiercely
charged, and wounded by a lance in the face, and in peril of death.
And one of his knights, whose name was Nicholas of Jenlain, gat to
horse, and came to his lord's rescue, and succoured him right well,
and so won great honour.

Then a cry was raised in the host, and our people ran together from
all sides, and drove back the foe with great fury, so that many were
slain and taken. And some of them did not go back to the tower, but
ran to the barges by which they had come, and there many were drowned,
and some escaped.

39

As to those who went back to the tower, the men of our host pressed
them so hard that they could not shut the gate. Then a terrible fight
began again at the gate, and our people took it by force, and made
prisoners of all those in the tower. Many were there killed and taken.

ATTACK ON THE CITY BY LAND AND SEA

So was the tower of Galata taken, and the port of Constantinople won
by force. Much were those of the host comforted thereby, and much did
they praise the Lord God; and greatly were those of the city
discomforted. And on the next day, the ships, the vessels, the galleys
and the transports were drawn into the port.

Then did those of the host take council together to settle what thing
they should do, and whether they should attack the city by sea or by
land. The Venetians were firmly minded that the scaling ladders ought
to be planted on the ships, and all the attack made from the side by
the sea. The French, on the other hand, said that they did not know so
well how to help themselves on sea as on land, but that when they had
their horses and their arms they could help themselves on land right
well. So in the end it was devised that the Venetians should attack by
sea, and the barons and those of the host by land.

They sojourned thus for four days. On the fifth day, the whole host
were armed, and the divisions advanced on horseback, each in the order
appointed, along the harbour, till they came to the palace of
Blachernae; and the ships drew inside the harbour till they came over
against the self-same place, and this was near to the end of the
harbour. And there is at that place a river that flows into the sea,
and can only be passed by a bridge of stone. The Greeks had broken
down the bridge, and the barons caused the host to labour all that day
and all that night in repairing the bridge. Thus was the bridge
repaired, and in the morning the divisions were armed, and rode one
after the other in the order appointed, and came before the city. And
no one came out from the city against them; and this was a great
marvel, seeing that for every man that was in the host there were over
two hundred men in the city.

Then did the barons decide that they should quarter them-

40

selves between the palace of Blachernae and the castle of Boemond,
which was an abbey enclosed with walls. So the tents and pavilions
were pitched-which was a right proud thing to look upon; for of
Constantinople, which had three leagues of front towards the land, the
whole host could attack no more than one of the gates. And the
Venetians lay on the sea, in ships and vessels, and raised their
ladders, and mangonels, and petraries, and made order for their
assault right well. And the barons for their part made ready their
petraries and mangonels on land.

And be it known to you that they did not have their time in peace and
quiet; for there passed no hour of the night or day but one of the
divisions had to stand armed before the gate, to guard the engines,
and provide against attack. And, notwithstanding all this, the Greeks
ceased not to attack them, by this gate and by others, and held them
so short that six or seven times a day the whole host was forced to
run to arms. Nor could they forage for provisions more than four
bow-shots' distance from the camp. And their stores were but scanty,
save of flour and bacon, and of those they had a little; and of fresh
meat none at all, save what they got from the horses that were killed.
And be it known to you that there was only food generally in the host
for three weeks. Thus were they in very perilous case, for never did
so few people besiege so many people in any city.

FIRST INCIDENTS OF THE ASSAULT

Then did they bethink themselves of a very good device; for they
enclosed the whole camp with good lists, and good palisades, and good
barriers, and were thus far stronger and much more secure. The Greeks
meanwhile came on to the attack so frequently that they gave them no
rest, and those of the host drove them back with great force; and
every time that the Greeks issued forth they lost heavily.

One day the Burgundians were on guard, and the Greeks made an attack
upon them, with part of the best forces that they had. And the
Burgundians ran upon the Greeks and drove them in very fiercely, and
followed so close to the gate that stones of great weight were hurled
upon them. There was taken one of the best Greeks of the city, whose
name was Constantine Lascaris; William of Neuilly took him all

41

mounted upon his horse. And there did William of Champlitte have his
arm broken with a stone, and great pity it was, for he was very brave
and very valiant.

I 'cannot tell you of all the good strokes that were there stricken,
nor of all the wounded, nor all the dead. But before the fight was
over, there came into it a knight of the following of Henry, the
brother, of Count Baldwin of Flanders and Hainault, and his name was
Eustace of Marchais; and he was armed only in padded vest and steel
cap, with his shield at his neck; and he did so well in the fray that
he won to himself great honour. Few were the days on which no sorties
were made; but I cannot tell you of them all. So hardly did they hold
us, that we could not sleep, nor rest, nor eat, save in arms.

Yet another sortie was made from a gate further up; and there again
did the Greeks lose heavily. And there a knight was slain, whose name
was William of Gi; and there Matthew of Wallincourt did right well,
and lost his horse, which was killed at the drawbridge of the gate;
and many others who were in that fight did right well. From this gate,
which was beyond the palace of Blachernae, the Greeks issued most
frequently, and there Peter of Bracieux gat himself more honour than
any, because he was quartered the nearest, and so came most often into
the fray.

ASSAULT OF THE CITY

Thus their peril and toil lasted for nearly ten days, until, on a
Thursday morning (I7th July I203) all things were ready for the
assault, and the ladders in trim; the Venetians also had made them
ready by sea. The order of the assault was so devised, that of the
seven divisions, three were to guard the camp outside the city, and
other four to give the assault. The Marquis Boniface of Montferrat
guarded the camp towards the fields, with the division of the
Burgundians, the division of the men of Champagne, and Matthew of
Montmorency. Count Baldwin of Flanders and Hainault went to the
assault with his people, and Henry his brother; and . Count Louis of
Blois and Chartres, and Count Hugh of St. Paul, and those who held
with them, went also to the assault.

They planted two ladders at a barbican near the sea; and the wall was
well defended by Englishmen and Danes; and

42

the attack was stiff and good and fierce. By main strength certain
knights and two sergeants got up the ladders and made themselves
masters of the wall; and at least fifteen got upon the wall, and
fought there, hand to hand, with axes and swords, and those within
redoubled their efforts and cast them out in very ugly sort, keeping
two as prisoners' And those of our people who had been taken were led
before the Emperor Alexius; much was he pleased thereat. Thus did the
assault leave matters on the side of the French. Many were wounded and
many had their bones broken, so that the barons were very wroth.

Meanwhile the Doge of Venice had not forgotten to do his part, but had
ranged his ships and transports and vessels in line, and that line was
well three crossbow-shots in length; and the Venetians began to draw
near to the part of the shore that lay under the walls and the towers.
Then might you have seen the mangonels shooting from the -ships and
transports, and the crossbow bolts flying, and the bows letting fly
their arrows deftly and well; and those within defending the walls and
towers very fiercely; and the ladders on the ships coming so near that
in many places swords and lances crossed; and the tumult and noise
were so great that it seemed as if the very earth and sea were melting
together. And be it known to you that the galleys did not dare to come
to the shore.

CAPTURE OF TWENTY-FIVE TOWERS

Now may you hear of a strange deed of prowess; for the Doge of Venice,
who was an old man, and saw naught (seeing he was blind), stood, fully
armed, on the prow of his galley, and had the standard of St. Mark
before him; and he cried to his people to put him on land, or else
that he would do justice upon their bodies with his hands. And so they
did, for the galley was run aground, and they leapt therefrom, and
bore the standard of St. Mark before him on to the land.

And when the Venetians saw the standard of St. Mark on land, and the
galley of their lord touching ground before them, each held himself
for shamed, and they all gat to the land; and those in the transports
leapt forth, and landed; and those in the big ships got into barges,
and made for the shore, each and all as best they could. Then might
you have

43

seen an assault, great and marvellous; and to this bears witness
Geoffry of Villehardouin, who makes this book, that more than forty
people told him for sooth that they saw the standard of St. Mark of
Venice at the top of one of the towers, and that no man knew who bore
it thither.

Now hear of a strange miracle: those who are within the city fly and
abandon the walls, and the Venetians enter in, each as fast and as
best he can, and seize twenty-five of the towers, and man them with
their people. And the Doge takes a boat, and sends messengers to the
barons of the host to tell them that lie has taken twenty-five towers,
and that they may know for sooth that such towers cannot be retaken.
The barons are so overjoyed that they cannot believe their ears; and
the Venetians begin to send to the host in boats the horses and
palfreys they have taken.

When the Emperor Alexius saw that our people had thus entered into the
city, he sent his people against them in such numbers that our people
saw they would be unable to endure the onset. So they set fire to the
buildings between them and the Greeks; and the wind blew from our
side, and the fire began to wax so great that the Greeks could not see
our people who retired to the towers they had seized and conquered.

THE EMPEROR ALEXIUS COMES OUT FOR BATTLE, BUT RETIRES WITHOUT ATTACKING

Then the Emperor Alexius issued from the city, with all his forces, by
other gates which were at least a league from the camp; and so many
began to issue forth that it seemed as if the whole world were there
assembled. The emperor marshalled his troops in the plain, and they
rode towards the camp; and when our Frenchmen saw them coming, they
ran to arms from all sides. On that day Henry, the brother of Count
Baldwin of Flanders, was mounting guard over the engines of war before
the gate of Blachernae, together with Matthew of Wallincourt, and
Baldwin of Beauvoir, and their followers. Against their encampment the
Emperor Alexius had made ready a great number of his people, who were
to issue by three gates, while he himself should fall upon the host
from another side.

Then the six divisions issued from our camp as had been

44

devised, and were marshalled in ranks before the palisades: the
sergeants and squires on foot behind the horses, and the archers and
crossbowmen in front. And there was a division of the knights on foot,
for we had at least two hundred who, were without horses. Thus they
stood still before the palisades. And this showed great good sense,
for if they had moved to the attack, the numbers of the enemy were
such that they must have been overwhelmed and (as it were) drowned
among them.

It seemed as if the whole plain was covered with troops, and they
advanced slowly and in order. Well might we appear in perilous case,
for we had but six divisions, while the Greeks had full forty, and
there was not one of their divisions but was larger than any of ours.
But ours were ordered in such sort that none could attack them save in
front. And the Emperor Alexius rode so far for-ward that either side
could shoot at the other. And when the Doge of Venice heard this, he
made his people come forth, and leave the towers they had taken, and
said he would live or die with the pilgrims. So he came to the camp,
and was himself the first to land, and brought with him such of his
people as he could.

Thus, for a long space, the armies of the pilgrims and of the Greeks
stood one against the other; for the Greeks did not dare to throw
themselves upon our ranks, and our people would not move from their
palisades. And when the Emperor Alexius saw this, he began to withdraw
his people, and when he had rallied them, he turned back. And seeing
this, the host of the pilgrims began to march towards him with slow
steps, and the Greek troops began to move backwards, and retreated to
a palace called Philopas.

And be it known to you, that never did God save any people from such
peril as He saved the host that day; and be it known to you further
that there was none in the host so hardy but he had great joy thereof.
Thus did the battle remain for that day. As it pleased God nothing
further was done. The Emperor Alexius returned to the city, and those
of the host to their quarters-the latter taking off their armour, for
they were weary and overwrought; and they ate and drank little, seeing
that their store of food was but scanty.

45

ALEXIUS ABANDONS CONSTANTINOPLE - HIS BROTHER ISAAC IS REPLACED ON THE
THRONE - THE CRUSADERS SEND HIM A MESSAGE

Now listen to the miracles of our Lord-how gracious are they
whithersoever it pleases Him to perform them! That very might the
Emperor Alexius of Constantinople took of his treasure as much as he
could carry, and took with him as many of his people as would go, and
so fled and abandoned the city. And those of the city remained
astonied, and they drew to the prison in which lay the Emperor Isaac,
whose eyes had been put out. Him they clothed imperially, and bore to
the great palace of Blachernae, and seated on a high throne; and there
they did to him obeisance as their lord. Then they took messengers, by
the advice of the Emperor Isaac, and sent them to the host, to apprise
the son of the Emperor Isaac, and the barons, that the Emperor Alexius
had fled, and that they had again raised up the Emperor Isaac as
emperor.

When the young man knew of this he summoned the Marquis Boniface of
Montferrat, and the marquis summoned the barons throughout the host.
And when they were met in the pavilion of the Emperor Isaac's son, he
told them the news. And when they heard it, their joy was such as
cannot be uttered, for never was greater joy in all this world. And
greatly and most devoutly was our Lord praised by all, in that He had
succoured them within so short a term, and exalted them so high from
such a low estate. And therefore well may one say: " Him whom God will
help can no man injure."

Then the day began to dawn, and the host to put on their armour; and
all gat them to their arms throughout the host, because they did not
greatly trust the Greeks. And messengers began to come out from the
city, two or three together, and told the same tale. The barons and
counts, and the Doge of Venice had agreed to send envoys into the
city, to know how matters really stood; and, if that was true which
had been reported, to demand of the father that he should ratify the
covenants made by the son; and, if he would not, to, declare that they
on their part should not suffer the son to enter into the city. So
envoys were chosen: one was

46

Matthew of Montmorency, and Geoffry the Marshal of Champagne was the
other, and two Venetians on the part of the Doge of Venice.

The envoys were conducted to the gate, and the gate was opened to
them, and they dismounted from their horses. The Greeks had set
Englishmen and Danes, with their axes, at the gate and right up to the
palace of Blachernae. Thus were the envoys conducted to the great
palace. There they found the Emperor Isaac, so richly clad that you
would seek in vain throughout the world for a man more richly
apparelled than he, and by his side the empress, his wife, a most fair
lady, the sister of the King of Hungary; and of great men and great
ladies there were so many, that you could not St' ir foot for the
press, and the ladies were so richly adomed that richer adornment
might not be. And all those who, the day before, had been against the
emperor were, on that day, subject in everything to his good pleasure.

THE EMPEROR ISAAC RATIFIES THE COVENANTS ENTERED INTO BY HIS SON

The envoys came before the Emperor Isaac, and the emperor and all
those about him did them great honour. And the envoys said that they
desired to speak to him privily, ,on the part of his son, and of the
barons of the host. And he rose and entered into a chamber, and took
with him only the empress, and his chancellor, and his dragoman
(interpreter) and the four envoys. By consent of the other envoys,
Geoffry of Villehardouin, the Marshal of Champagne, acted as
spokesman, and he said to the Emperor Isaac: " Sire, thou seest the
service we have rendered to thy son, and how we have kept our
covenants with him. But he cannot come hither till he has given us
surety for the covenants he has made with us. And he asks of thee, as
thy son, to confirm those covenants in the same form, and the same
manner, that he has done." " What covenants are they? " said the
emperor. " They are such as we shall tell you," replied the envoys: "
In the first place to put the whole empire of Roumania in obedience to
Rome, from which it has been separated this long while; further to
give 200,000 marks of silver to those of the host, with food for one
year for small and great; to send 10,000 men, horse and foot - many on

47

foot as we shall devise and as many mounted-in his own ships, and at
his own charges, to the land of Babylon, and keep them there for a
year; and during his lifetime to keep, at his own charges, five
hundred knights in the land overseass so that they may guard that
land. Such is the covenant that your son made with us, and it was
confirmed by oath, and charters with seals appended, and by King
Philip of Germany who has your daughter to wife. This covenant we
desire you to confirm."

Certes said the emperor, " this covenant is very onerous, and I do not
see how effect can be given to it; nevertheless, you have done us such
service, both to my son and to myself, that if we bestowed upon you
the whole empire, you would have deserved it well." Many words were
then spoken in this sense and that, but, in the end, the father
confirmed the 'covenants, as his son had confirmed them, by oath and
by charters with gold seals appended. These charters were delivered to
the envoys. Then they took their leave of the Emperor Isaac, and went
back to the host, and told the barons that they had fulfilled their
mission.

ENTRY OF THE CRUSADERS INTO CONSTANTINOPLE - CORONATION OF THE YOUNG ALEXIUS

Then did the barons mount their horses, and led the young man, with
great rejoicings, into the city, to his father; and the Greeks opened
the gate to him, and received him with very much rejoicing and great
feasting. The joy of the father and of the son was very great, because
of a long time they had not seen one another, and because, by God's
help and that of the pilgrims, they had passed from so great poverty
and ruin to such high estate. Therefore the joy was great inside
Constantinople; and also without, among the host of the pilgrims,
because of the honour and victory that God had given them.

And on the morrow the emperor and his son also besought the counts and
the barons, for God's sake, to go and quarter themselves on the other
side of the straits, toward Estanor and Galata; for, if they quartered
themselves in the city, it was to be feared that quarrels would ensue
between them and the Greeks, and it might well chance that the city
would be destroyed. And the counts and barons said that they had

48

already served him in so many ways that they would not now refuse any
request of his. So they went and quartered themselves on the other
side, and sojoumed there in peace and quiet, and with great store of
good provisions.

Now you must know that many of those in the host went to see
Constantinople, and the rich palaces and great churches, of which
there were many, and all the great wealth of the city-for never was
there city that possessed so much. Of relics it does not behove me to
speak, for at that day there were as many there as in all the rest of
the world. Thus did the Greeks and French live in good fellowship in
all things, both as regards trafficking and other matters.

By common consent of Franks and Greeks it was settled that the new
emperor should be crowned on the feast of our Lord St. Peter (1st
August 1203). So was it settled, and so it was done. He was crowned
full worthily and with honour according to the use for Greek emperors
at that time. Afterwards he began to pay the moneys due to the host;
and such moneys were divided among the host, and each repaid what had
been advanced in Venice for his passage.

ALEXIUS BEGS THE CRUSADERS TO PROLONG THEIR STAY

The new emperor went oft to see the barons in the camp, and did them
great honour, as much as he could; and this was but fitting, seeing
that they had served him right well. And one day he came to the camp,
to see the barons privily in the quarters of Count Baldwin of Hainault
and Flanders. Thither were summoned the Doge of Venice, and the great
barons, and he spoke to them and said: " Lords, I am emperor by God's
grace and yours, and you have done me the highest service that ever
yet was done by any people to Christian man. Now be it known to you
that there are folk enough who show me a fair seeming, and yet love me
not; and the Greeks are full of despite because it is by your help
that I have entered into my inheritance.

Now the term of your departure is nigh, and your fellowship with the
Venetians is timed only to last till the feast of St. Michael. And
within so short a term I cannot fulfil our covenant. Be it known to
you therefore, that, if you abandon me, the Greeks hate me because of
you: I shall losemy land, and they will kill me. But now do this thing
that

49

I ask of you: remain here till March, and I will entertain your ships
for one year from the feast of St. Michael, and bear the cost of the
Venetians, and will give you such things as you may stand in need of
till Easter. And within that term I shall have placed my land in such
case that I cannot lose it again; and your covenant will be fulfilled,
for I shall have paid such moneys as are due to you, obtaining them
from all mi lands; and I shall be ready also with ships either to go
with you myself, or to send others, as I have covenanted; and you will
have the summer from end to end in which to carry on the war against
the Saracens."

The barons thereupon said they would consult together apart; knowing
full well that what the young man said was sooth, and that it would be
better, both for the emperor and for themselves, to consent unto him.
But they replied that they could not so consent save with the common
agreement of the host, and that they would therefore lay the matter
before the host, and then give such answer as might be devised. So the
Emperor Alexius departed from them, and went back to Constantinople.
And they remained in the camp and assembled a parliament the next day.
To this parliament were summoned all the barons and the chieftains of
the host, and of the knights the greater part; and in their hearing
were repeated all the words that the emperor had spoken.

DEBATE AMONG THE CRUSADERS - DEATH OF MATTHEW OF MONTMORENCY

Then was there much discord in the host, as had been oft times before
on the part of those who wished that the host should break up; for to
them it seemed to be holding together too long. And the party that had
raised the discord at Corfu reminded the others of their oaths, and
said: " Give us ships as you swore to us, for we purpose to go to
Syria."

And the others cried to them for pity and said: " Lords, for God's
sake, let us not bring to naught the great honour that God has given
us. If we go to Syria at this present, we shall come thither at the
beginning of winter and so not be able to make war, and the Lord's
work will thus remain undone. But if we wait till March, we shall
leave this emperor in good estate, and go hence rich in goods and in
food. Thus

50

shall we go to Syria, and over-run the land of Babylon. And the fleet
will remain with us till Michaelmas, yes, and onwards from Michaelmas
to Easter, seeing it will be unable to leave us because of the winter.
So shall the land overseas fall into our hands."

Those who wished the host to be broken up, cared not for reasons good
or bad so long as the host fell to pieces. But those who wished to
keep the host together, wrought so effectually, with the help of God,
that in the end the Venetians made a new covenant to maintain the
fleet for a year, reckoning from Michaelmas, the Emperor Alexius
paying them for so doing; and the pilgrims, on their side, made a new
covenant to remain in the same fellowship as theretofore, and for the
same term. Thus were peace and concord established in the host.

Then there befell a very great mischance in the host; for Matthew of
Montmorency, who was one of the best knights in the kingdom of France,
and of the most prized and most honoured, took to his bed for
sickness, and his sickness so increased upon him that he died. And
much dole was made for him, for great was the loss-one of the greatest
that had befallen the host by any man's death. He was buried in a
church of my Lord St. John, of the Hospital of Jerusalem.

PROGRESS OF THE YOUNG ALEXIUS THROUGH THE EMPIRE

Afterwards, by the advice of the Greeks and the French the Emperor
Alexius issued from Constantinople, with a very great company,
purposing to quiet the empire and subject it to his will. With him
went a great part of the barons; and the others remained to guard the
camp. The Marquis Boniface of Montferrat went with him, and Count Hugh
of St. Paul, and Henry, brother to Count Baldwin of Flanders and
Hainault, and James of Avesnes, and William of Champlitte, and Hugh of
Colerni, and many others whom the book does not here mention by name.
In the camp remained Count Baldwin of Flanders and Hainault, and Count
Louis of Blois and Chartres, and the greater part of the pilgrims of
lesser note.

And you must know that during this progress all the Greeks, on either
side of the straits, came to the Emperor

51

Alexius, to do his will and commandment, and did him fealty and homage
as to their lord-all except John, who was King of Wallachia and
Bulgaria. This John was a Wallachian, who had rebelled against. his
father and uncle, and had warred against them for twenty years, and
had won from them so much land that he had become a very wealthy king.
-And be it known to you, that of the land lying on the west side of
the Straits of St. George, he had conquered very nearly the half. This
John did not come to do the will of the emperor, nor to submit himself
to him.

CONFLICT BETWEEN THE GREEKS AND LATINS IN CONSTANTINOPLE-BURNING OF THE CITY

While the Emperor Alexius was away on this progress, there befell a
very grievous misadventure; for a conflict arose between the Greeks
and the Latins who inhabited Constantinople, and of these last there
were many. And certain people-who they were I know not-out of malice,
set fire to the city; and the fire waxed so great and horrible that no
man could put it out or abate it. And when the barons of the host, who
were quartered on the other side of the port, saw this, they were sore
grieved and filled with pity-seeing the great churches and the rich
palaces melting and falling in, and the great streets filled with
merchandise burning in the flames; but they could do nothing.

Thus did the fire prevail, and win across the port, even to the
densest part of the city, and to the sea on the other side, quite near
to the church of St. Sophia. It lasted two days and two nights, nor
could it be put out by the hand of man. And the front of the fire, as
it went flaming, was well over half a league broad. What was the
damage then done, what the possessions and riches swallowed up, could
no man tell-nor what the number of men and women and children who
perished-for many were burned.

All the Latins, to whatever land they might belong, who were lodged in
Constantinople, dared no longer to remain therein; but they took their
wives and their children, and such of their possessions as they could
save from the fire, and entered into boats and vessels, and passed
over the port and came to the camp of the pilgrims. Nor were they few
in number, for there were of them some fifteen thousand, small

52

and great; and afterwards it proved to be of advantage to the pilgrims
that these should have crossed over to them. Thus was there division
between the Greeks and the Franks; nor were they ever again as much at
one as they had been before, for neither side knew on whom to cast the
blame for the fire; and this rankled in men's hearts upon either side.

At that time did a thing befall whereby the barons and those of the
host were greatly saddened; for the Abbot of Loos died, who was a holy
man and a worthy, and had wished well to the host. He was a monk of
the order of the Cistercians.

THE YOUNG ALEXIUS RETURNS TO CONSTANTINOPLIZHE FAILS IN HIS PROMISES TO THE
CRUSADERS

The Emperor Alexius remained for a long time on progress, till St.
Martin's Day, and then he returned to Constantinople. Great was the
joy at his home-coming, and the Greeks and ladies of Constantinople
went out to meet their friends in great cavalcades, and the pilgrims
went out to meet their friends, and had great joy of them. So did the
emperor re-enter Constantinople and the palace of Blachernae; and the
Marquis of Montferrat and the other barons returned to the camp.

The emperor, who had managed his affairs right well and thought he had
now the upper hand, was filled with arrogance towards the barons and
those who had done so much for him, and never came to see them in the
camp, as he had done aforetime. And they sent to him and begged him to
pay them the moneys due, as he had covenanted. But he led them on from
delay to delay, making them, at one time and another, payments small
and poor; and in the end the payments ceased and came to naught.

The Marquis Boniface of Montferrat, who had done more for him than any
other, and stood better in his regard, went to him oftentimes, and
showed him what great services the Crusaders had rendered him, and
that greater services had never been rendered to any one. And the
emperor still entertained them with delays, and never carried out such
things as he had promised, so that at last they saw and knew clearly
that his intent was wholly evil.

Then the barons of the host held a parliament with the

53

Doge of Venice, and they said that they now knew that the emperor
would fulfil no covenant, nor ever speak sooth to them; and they
decided to send good envoys to demand the fulfilment of their
covenant, and to show what services they had done him; and if he would
now do what was required, they were to be satisfied; but, if not, they
were to defy him, and right well might he rest assured that the barons
would by all means recover their due.

THE CRUSADERS DEFY THE EMPERORS

For this embassy were chosen Conon of Bιthune and Geoffry of
Villehardouin, the Marshal of Champagne, and Miles the Brabant of
Provins; and the Doge also sent three chief men of his council. So
these envoys mounted their horses, and, with swords girt, rode
together till they came to the palace of Blachernae. And be it known
to you that, by reason of the treachery of the Greeks, they went in
great peril, and on a hard adventure.

They dismounted at the gate and entered the palace, and found the
Emperor Alexius and the Emperor Isaac seated on two thrones, side by
side. And near them was seated the empress, who was the wife of the
father, and stepmother of the son, and sister to the King of Hungary-a
lady both fair and good. And there were with them a great company of
people of note and rank, so that well did the court seem the court of
a rich and mighty prince.

By desire of the other envoys Conon of Bιthune, who was very wise and
eloquent of speech, acted as spokesman: "Sire, we have come to thee on
the part of the barons of the host and of the Doge of Venice. They
would put thee in mind of the great service they have done to thee-a
service known to the people and manifest to all men. Thou hast swom,
thou and thy father, to fulfil the promised covenants, and they have
your charters in hand. But you have not fulfilled those covenants
well, as you should have done. Many times have they called upon you to
do so, and now again we call upon you, in the presence of all your
barons, to fulfil the covenants that are between you and them. Should
you do so, it shall be well. If not, be it known to you that from this
day forth they will not hold you as lord or friend, but will endeavour
to obtain their due by all the means in their

54

Power. And of this they now give you warning, seeing that they would
not injure you, nor any one, without first defiance given; for never
have they acted treacherously, nor in their land is it customary to do
so. You have heard what we have said. It is for you to take counsel
thereon according to your pleasure."

Much were the Greeks amazed and greatly outraged by this open
defiance; and they said that never had any one been so hardy as to
dare defy the Emperor of Constantinople in his own hall. Very evil
were the looks now cast on the envoys by the Emperor Alexius and by
all the Greeks, who aforetime were wont to regard them very
favourably.

Great was the tumult there within, and the envoys turned about and
came to the gate and mounted their horses. When they got outside the
gate, there was not one of them but felt glad at heart; nor is that to
be marvelled at, for they had escaped from very great peril, and it
held to very little that they were not all killed or taken. So they
returned to the camp, and told the barons how they had fared.

THE WAR BEGINS - THE GREEKS ENDEAVOUR TO SET FIRE TO THE FLEET OF THE
CRUSADERS

Thus did the war begin; and each side did to the other as much harm as
they could, by sea and by land. The Franks and the Greeks fought
often; but never did they fight, let God be praised therefor I that
the Greeks did not lose more than the Franks. So the war lasted a long
space, till the heart of the winter.

Then the Greeks bethought themselves of a very great device, for they
took seven large ships, and filled them full of big logs, and
shavings, and tow, and resin, and barrels, and then waited until such
time as the wind should blow strongly from their side of the straits.
And one night, at midnight, they set fire to the ships, and unfurled
their sails to the wind. And the flames blazed up high, so that it
seemed as if the whole world were a-fire. Thus did the burning ships
come towards the fleet of the pilgrims; and a great cry arose in the
host, and all sprang to arms on every side. The Venetians ran to their
ships, and so did all those who had ships in possession, and they
began to draw them away out of the flames very vigorously.

55

And to this bears witness Geoffry the Marshal of Champagne, who
dictates this work, that never did people help themselves better at
sea than the Venetians did that night; for they sprang into the
galleys and boats belonging to the ships, and seized upon the fire
ships, all burning as they were, with hooks, and dragged them by main
force before their enemies, outside the port, and set them into the
current of the straits, and left them to go burning down the straits.
So many of the Greeks had come down to the shore that they were
without end and innumerable, and their cries were so great that it
seemed as if the earth and sea would melt together. They got into
barges and boats, and shot at those on our side who were battling with
the flames, so that some were wounded.

All the knights of the host, as soon as they heard the clamour, armed
themselves; and the battalions marched out into the plain, each
according to the order in which they had been quartered, for they
feared lest the Greeks should also attack them on land.

They endured thus in labour and anguish till daylight; but by God's
help those on our side lost nothing, save a Pisan ship, which was full
of merchandise, and was burned with fire. Deadly was the peril in
which we stood that night, for if the fleet had been consumed, all
would have been lost, and we should never have been able to get away
by land or sea. Such was the guerdon which the Emperor Alexius would
have bestowed upon us in return for our services.

MOURZUPHLES USURPS THE EMPIRE - ISAAC DIES, AND THE YOUNG ALEXIUS IS
STRANGLED

Then the Greeks, being thus embroiled with the Franks, saw that there
was no hope of peace; so they privily took counsel together to betray
their lord. Now there was a Greek who stood higher in his favour than
all others, and had done more to make him embroil himself with the
Franks than any other. This Greek was named Mourzuphles.

With the advice and consent of the others, one night towards midnight,
when the Emperor Alexius was asleep in his chamber, those who ought to
have been guarding him and specially Mourzuphles-took him in his bed
and threw him into a dungeon in prison. Then Mourzuphles assumed

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the scarlet buskins with the help and by the counsel of the other
Greeks (January 1204). So he made himself emperor. Afterwards they
crowned him at St. Sophia. Now see if. ever people were guilty of such
horrible treachery!

When the Emperor Isaac heard that his son was taken and Mourzuphles
crowned, great fear came upon him, and he fell into a sickness that
lasted no long time. So he died. And the Emperor Mourzuphles caused
the son, whom he had in prison, to be poisoned two or three times; but
it did not please God that he should thus die. Afterwards the emperor
went and strangled him, and when he had strangled him, he caused it to
be reported everywhere that he had died a natural death, and had him
mourned for, and buried honourably and as an emperor, and made great
show of grief.

But murder cannot be hid. Soon was it clearly known, both to the
Greeks and to the French, that this murder had been committed, as has
just been told to you. Then did the barons of the host and the Doge of
Venice assemble in parliament, and with them met the bishops and the
clergy. And all the clergy, including those who had powers from the
Pope, showed to the barons and to the pilgrims that any one guilty of
such a murder had no right to hold lands, and that those who consented
thereto were abettors of the murder; and beyond all this, that the
Greeks had withdrawn themselves from obedience to Rome. "Wherefore we
tell you," said the clergy, " that this war is lawful and just, and
that if you have a right intention in conquering this land, to bring
it into the Roman obedience, all those who die after confession shall
have part in the indulgence granted by the Pope." And you must know
that by this the barons and pilgrims were greatly comforted.

THE CRUSADERS CONTINUE THE WAR - DEFEAT OF MOURZUPHLES

Dire was the war between the Franks and the Greeks, for it abated not,
but rather increased and waxed fiercer, so that few were the days on
which there was not fighting by sea or land. Then Henry, the brother
of Count Baldwin of Flanders rode forth, and took with him a great
part of the good men in the host. With him went James of Avesnes, and
Baldwin of Beauvoir, Odo of Champagne of Champlitte,

57

William his brother, and the people of their country. They started at
vesper time and rode all night, and on the morrow, when it was full
day, they came to a good city, called Phile, and took it; and they had
great gain, beasts, and prisoners, and clothing, and food, which they
sent in boats down the straits to the camp, for the city lies on the
sea of Russia.

So they sojoumed two days in that city, with food in great plenty,
enough and to spare. The third day they departed with the beasts and
the booty, and rode back towards the camp. Now the Emperor Mourzuphles
heard tell how they had issued from the camp, and he left
Constantinople by night, with a great part of his people, and set
himself in ambush at a place by which they must needs pass. And he
watched them pass with their beasts and their booty, each division,
the one after the other, till it came to the rearguard. The rear-guard
was under the command of Henry, the brother of Count Baldwin of
Flanders, and formed of his people, and the Emperor Mourzuphles fell
upon them at the entrance to a wood; whereupon they turned against
him. Very fiercely did the battle rage there.

By God's help the Emperor Mourzuphles was discomfited, and came near
to being taken captive; and he lost his imperial banner and an Eikon
that was home before him, in which he and the other Greeks had great
confidence-it was an ikon that figured our Lady-and he lost at least
twenty knights of the best people that he had. Thus was discomfited
the Emperor Mourzuphles, as you have just heard and fiercely did the
war rage between him and the Franks; and by this time a great part of
the winter had already passed, and it was near Candlemas (2nd February
1204), and Lent was approaching.

OF THE PILGRIMS WHO HAD GONE TO SYRIA

Now we will leave off speaking of the host before Constantinople, and
speak of those who sailed from other ports than Venice, and of the
ships of Flanders that had sojoumed during the winter at Marseilles,
and had all gone over in the summer to the land of Syria; and these
were far more in number than the host before Constantinople. Listen
now, and you shall hear what a great mischance it was that they

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had not joined themselves to the host, for in that case would
Christendom have been for ever exalted. But because of their sins, God
would not so have it, for some died of the sickness of the land, and
some turned back to their own homes. Nor did they perform any great
deeds, or achieve aught of good, in the land overseass

And there started also a company of very good men to go to Antioch, to
join Boemond, prince of Antioch and Count of Tripoli, who was at war
with King Leon, the lord of the Armenians. This company was going to
the prince to be in his pay; and the Turks of the land knew of it, and
made an ambuscade there where the men of the company needs must pass.
And they came thither, and fought, and the Franks were discomfited, so
that not one escaped that was not killed or taken.

There were slain Villain of Neuilly, who was one of the best knights
in the world, and Giles of Trasegnies, and many others; and were taken
Bernard of Moreuil, and Renaud of Dampierre, and John of Villers, and
William of Neuilly. And you must know that eightty knights were in
this company, and every one was either killed or taken. And well does
this book bear witness, that of those who avoided the host of Venice,
there was not one but suffered harm or shame. He therefore must be
accounted wise who holds to the better course.