Robert of Clari

Here beginneth the history of them that took Constantinople, and presently we will tell you who they were and for what cause they went thither. It came to pass, what time Pope Innocent was Pontiff of Rome, and Philip was King of France (another Philip there was, who was Emperor of Germany), and the year was the twelve hundred and third or fourth year of the Incarnation, that there was a certain priest, Master Fulk by name, who was of Neuilly, a parish that lay in the Bishopric of Paris. This priest was a right worthy man and a right good clerk, and he went about throughout the lands preaching the cross and many folk followed him, because he was so worthy a man that God wrought very great miracles in his behalf; and much substance did this priest obtain to carry to the holy land beyond the sea.

Then there took the cross Thibaut, Count of Champagne; and Baldwin, Count of Flanders, and Henry his brother; and Lewis, Count of Blois; and Hugh, Count of Saint-Pol; and Simon, Count of Montfort, and Guy his brother.

And now will we name to you the bishops that went thither. Thither went Bishop Nevelon of Soissons, who shewed himself there a right worthy man and valiant in all commands and in all times of need; and Bishop Warnier of Troyes; and the Bishop of Halberstadte in Germany; and Master John of Noyon, who was chosen Bishop of Acre. Thither also went the Abbot of Loos in Flanders, who was of the monks of the order of Citeaux (this abbot was a very wise man and most worthy), and other abbots and clerks so many that we cannot name them all to you.

And of the barons that went thither we cannot name all to you, but a part of them we can name. Thither went, from Amienois, my Lord Peter of Amiens, that fair knight and worthy and valiant; and my Lord Enguerrand of Boves, with his three brothers (one was called Robert, another Hugh, and their other brother was a clerk); Baldwin of Belvoir; Matthew of Wallincourt; the Advocate of Bethune, and Conon his brother; Eustace of Canteleu; Anseau of Cayeux; Repier of Trit; Wales of Frise; Girard of Manchecourt, and Nicholas of Mailly; Baldwin Cavarom; Hugh of Beauvais; and many other knights of high estate, both Flemings and men of other lands, not all of whom can we name to you; and thither, too, went my Lord James of Avesnes.

Thither also went, from Burgundy, Odo of Champlitte, and William his brother, who had many men in the host; and there were others from Burgundy, so many that we cannot name them all to you. And from Champagne went thither the Marshal; and Ogier of Saint-Cheron; and Macaire of Sainte-Menehould; and Clerembaut of Chappes; and Miles of Brabant; these were of Champagne.

Next, there went thither the Castellan of Coucy; Robert of Ronsoi; Matthew of Montmorency, who shewed himself there a right worthy man; Ralph of Aulnoy, and Walter his son; Giles of Aulnoy; Peter of Bracheux, that worthy knight and bold and valiant; and Hugh his brother. And those that I name to you here were of the Isle of France and of Beauvaisis.

And from Chartrain went thither Gervais of Chatel, and Hervee his son; and Oliver of Rochefort; and Peter of Alost; and Payen of Orleans; Peter of Amiens, a good knight and a worthy and one that wrought there many deeds of prowess; and Thomas his brother, a clerk, who was Canon of Amiens; Manasses of Lille in Flanders; and Matthew of Montmorency, the Castellan of Corbie.

Now there were so many other knights of the Isle of France, and of Flanders, and of Champagne, and of Burgundy, and of other lands, that we cannot name them all to you, all valiant knights and worthy; and these that we have named here were the richest men, and they bore banners; nor have we named all those that bore banners.

And of those that wrought there the most deeds of prowess and of arms, both rich men and poor, we can name to you a part: Peter of Bracheux, who was, of both poor men and rich, he who wrought most deeds of prowess; and Hugh his brother; and Andrew of Urboise; and my Lord Peter of Amiens, that worthy knight and fair; and Matthew of Montmorency; and Matthew of Wallincourt; and Baldwin of Belvoir; and Henry, the brother of the Count of Flanders; and James of Avesnes : these were they of the rich men who wrought there the greatest deeds of arms. And of the poor men: Bernard of Aire, and Bernard of Somergen; Eustace Heumont, and his brother; Gilbert of Vismes; Wales of Frise; Hugh of Beauvais; Robert of Ronsoi; Alard Maquereau; Nicholas of Mailly; Guy of Manchecourt; Baldwin of Hamelincourt; William of Embreville; Aleaume the Clerk of Clari in Amienois, who was a right worthy man and wrought there many deeds of hardihood and of prowess; Aleaume of Sains, and William of Fontaines (and they whom we have named here were they that wrought there the most deeds of arms and of prowess) ; and many other good folk, both knights and footmen, so many thousands that we know not the number thereof.

Chapter 2: HOW COUNT THIBAUT OF CHAMPAGNE WAS CHOSEN LEADER OF THEM THAT TOOK THE CROSS; OF HIS DEATH; AND OF THE DEATH OF MASTER FULK

Then came together all the counts and high barons who had taken the cross. And they summoned all the men of high estate that had taken the cross; and when they were all assembled they took counsel among themselves, whom they would make their captain and lord, until they chose Count Thibaut of Champagne and made him their lord. Then they departed, and went each one to his own land.

And no long time thereafter Count Thibaut died; and he left fifty thousand pounds to them that had taken the cross and to him who after himself should be captain and lord of these, to make such use thereof as they themselves should de–sire. Thereafter also died Master Fulk, whereby they of the cross suffered grievous loss.

Chapter 3: HOW THE MEN OF THE CROSS SENT MESSENGERS TO THE MARQUIS OF MONTFERRAT

When the men of the cross knew that the Count of Champagne, their lord, was dead, and Master Fulk also, then were they very sad and sorrowful and sore distressed; and they all came together on a certain day to Soissons, and they took counsel among themselves what they should do and whom they would make their captain and lord, until they agreed among themselves that they would send for the Marquis of Montferrat in Lombardy. Thither they sent right good messengers for him. The messengers made ready and went to the marquis. When they were come thither they spoke to the marquis and said to him that the barons of France sent him greeting and that they bade and besought him, in God's name, to come and speak with them on a day that they named to him. When the marquis heard this he marveled much that the barons of France had summoned him; but he made answer to the messengers that he would take counsel in the matter, and on the morrow he would let them know what he would do concerning it. And he did the messengers much honour.

When the morrow was come, the marquis said that he would go and speak with them at Soissons on such a day as they had named to him. Then the mes–sengers took their leave and went their way; and the marquis made offer to them of his horses and of his jewels, but they would take none of these.

And when they were returned they made known to the barons what they had done. Then the marquis made ready for his journey, and he passed through the mountains of Mont-Joux and came into France to Soissons. And he made known aforehand to the barons that he was coming, and the barons went forth to meet him and did him great honour.

Chapter 4: HOW THE MARQUIS WAS MADE LEADER OF THE MEN OF THE CROSS

When the marquis was come to Soissons he asked the barons wherefore they had summoned him. And the barons had taken counsel, and they said to him: "Lord, we have summoned you because the Count of Champagne, our lord, who was our master, is dead; and we summon you, as being the worthiest man that we knew and the one that could bring the best counsel to our undertaking - God guide it! So we all beseech you, in God's name, to be our lord and, for the love of God, to take the sign of the cross."

And after these words the barons kneeled down before him, and they said to him that he should not trouble himself to seek substance, for that they would give to him a great part of the substance that the Count of Champagne had left to the men of the cross. The marquis said that he would take, counsel in the matter; and when he had taken counsel he said that, for the love of God and to succour the land beyond the sea, he would take the cross. And the Bishop of Soissons straightway made ready and gave him the cross. And when he had taken it, they gave him, of the substance which the Count of Champagne had left to the men of the cross, five and twenty thousand pounds.

Chapter 5:THE MEN OF THE CROSS TAKE COUNSEL TO WHAT LAND THEY WILL PROCEED; AND THEY AGREE TO SEND MESSENGERS TO ENGAGE A FLEET

Thereafter, when the marquis had taken the cross, he spoke to the barons. "My lords," quoth the marquis, "whither will ye proceed, and into what land of the Saracens will ye wish to go?" Then the barons answered that to the land of Syria they would in no wise go, for there could they gain no advantage; but they had purposed to go to Babylon, or to Alexandria, into the very midst of the infidels, where they could gain the most advantage, and it was in their mind to hire a fleet which should carry them all thither together. Then said the marquis that this counsel was good and that he fully agreed to it, and that they should send good messengers, of the wisest of the knights among them, either to Pisa, or to Genoa, or to Venice; and to this counsel did all the barons agree.

Chapter 6: HOW THE MESSENGERS CAME TO GENOA, TO PISA, AND TO VENICE, SEEKING A FLEET; AND OF THE BARGAIN THAT THEY STRUCK WITH THE DOGE OF VENICE

Then they fixed upon their messengers. They all agreed that my Lord Conon of Bethune go thither, and the Marshal of Champagne. Then, when they had agreed upon their messengers, the barons withdrew, and the marquis departed to his own land and the others also, every one of them. And the messengers were bidden to hire vessels to carry four thousand knights and their accoutrements and an hundred thousand footmen. The messengers made ready for their journey, and they went straight on their way until they came to Genoa. And they spoke to the Genoese and told them what they were seeking; but the Genoese said that they could in no wise aid them. Then they went on to Pisa, and they spoke to them of Pisa. And these made answer to them that they had not so many vessels nor could they aid them in any wise.

Then they went on to Venice, and they spoke to the Doge of Venice, and they said that they were bidden to seek to hire passage for four thousand knights and their accoutrements and for an hundred thousand footmen. When the Doge heard this he said that he would take counsel in the matter, for in so weighty an undertaking good counsel should be taken.

Then did the Doge summon all the high counsellors of the city, and he spoke to them and showed them what had been demanded of him. And when they had fully taken counsel, the Doge answered the messengers and said to them: "Sirs, we will gladly strike a bargain with you and we will find you a suf–ficient fleet, for an hundred thousand marks, if ye will, with this condition: that I myself shall go along with you, and half of the men of all Venice who are able to bear arms; and with the stipulation that we shall have the half of all the gains that shall be made there. Furthermore, we will furnish you with fifty galleys at our own cost, and one year from the day that we shall name to you we will bring you to that land that ye shall choose, whether ye will go to Babylon or to Alex–andria."

When the messengers heard this they answered that an hundred thousand marks was too much; and they spoke together until they made a bargain for four–score and seven thousand marks, and the Doge and the Venetians swore that they would abide by the bargain. Then the Doge said that he desired to have five and twenty thousand marks as earnest-money, for to begin the preparation of the fleet, and the messengers made answer that he should send back other messengers with them to France and that they would gladly cause the five and twenty thou–sand marks to be paid to these. Then did the messengers take their leave and de–parted homeward. And the Doge sent with them a nobleman of Venice to receive the earnest-money.

Chapter 7: HOW THE DOGE COMMANDED THE FLEET TO BE MADE READY

Then did the Doge cause a ban to be cried throughout all Venice, that no Venetian should be so bold as to undertake any traffic, but that all should help in making ready the fleet; and so they did. And they began to prepare the goodliest fleet that ever yet was seen.

Chapter 8: HOW THE MESSENGERS CAME TO FRANCE AND RENDERED AN ACCOUNT OF THEMSELVES

When the messengers came into France they let it be known that they were come. Then were all the barons that had taken the cross bidden to come to Corbie. And when they were all assembled there, the messengers told what they had accomplished. When the barons heard it they were right glad and right well did they approve what the messengers had done; and they paid much honour to the messengers of the Doge of Venice, and they gave them of the moneys of the Count of Champagne and of the moneys that Master Fulk had obtained; also, did the Count of Flanders add thereto of his own moneys so much that the whole came to five and twenty thousand marks. And these were delivered to the mes–senger of the Doge of Venice, and there was given to him a goodly escort to go with him even unto his own land.

Chapter 9: HOW THE PILGRIMS WERE BIDDEN ASSEMBLE AT EASTERTIDE AND GO THEIR WAYS TO VENICE

Then was word sent throughout all the lands to them that had taken the cross, that they should all make ready at Eastertide to go to Venice betwixt Pente–cost and August, without fail; and so did they. And when Eastertide was past, they all came thither. And full many were the fathers and mothers, the brothers and sisters, the wives and children, that were sore grieved for their loved ones.

Chapter 10: HOW THE PILGRIMS CAME TO VENICE AND LODGED IN THE ISLE OF SAINT NICHOLAS

When the pilgrims were all assembled in Venice and saw the goodly fleet that had been made ready, the goodly ships, the great dromonds, the transports for carrying the horses, and the galleys, greatly did they marvel at these and at the great riches that they found in the city. And when they saw that they could not in any wise all lodge in the city, they took counsel together that they would go and lodge in the Isle of Saint Nicholas, which was wholly encompassed by the sea and lay a league distant from Venice. Thither did all the pilgrims go, and there they pitched their tents and lodged as best they could.

Chapter 11: HOW THE DOGE COMMANDED THE HALF OF THE VENETIANS TO GO WITH THE PILGRIMS; HOW THEY DETERMINED THE MATTER BY LOT; AND HOW THEY DEMANDED OF THE PILGRIMS THE FULFILLMENT OF THEIR AGREEMENTS. OF THE LEVY THAT THE PILGRIMS MADE, AND THE OUTCOME THEREOF

When the Doge of Venice saw that the pilgrims were all come, then sum–moned he all those of his own land of Venice. And when they were all come, then did the Doge command that the half of them should dispose themselves and make themselves ready to go in the fleet with the pilgrims. When the Venetians heard this, some rejoiced, others said that they could not go thither; nor could they come to any agreement how the half of them could go thither. But at last they resorted to lots; for they made, two by two together, two lumps of wax, and in the one lump they put a writing. Then came they to the priest and gave them to him; and the priest made the sign of the cross over them, and he gave to each one of the two Venetians one of these lumps, and he of the twain that had the lump with the writing, he must needs go in the fleet. Thus they made their division.

And when the pilgrims had lodged themselves in the Isle of Saint Nicholas, then went forth the Doge and the Venetians to speak to them. And they demanded of them the fulfillment of the agreement concerning the fleet that they had caused to be prepared. And the Doge said to them that they had done ill in that they had asked, through their messengers, that the Venetians should make ready a fleet for four thousand knights and their accoutrements and for an hundred thousand foot; whereas, of these knights, there were scarce more than a thousand, since the rest had gone to other harbours, and of these hundred thousand footmen, there were scarce more than fifty or sixty thousand. "Wherefore we desire," said the Doge, "that ye pay us the sums promised, which were agreed upon with us."

When the men of the cross heard this they spoke together, and they agreed among themselves that each knight should give four marks, and for each horse four, and each serjeant of horse two marks, and that he who should give the least amount should give one mark. When they had gathered these moneys they paid them to the Venetians; but there yet remained to pay fifty thousand marks.

When the Doge and the Venetians saw that the pilgrims had paid them no more than this they were sore distressed, so that the Doge said unto them: "Sirs," (quoth he) "ye have served us ill; for so soon as your messengers had made agreement with me and with my people, I gave commandment throughout my whole land that no merchant should undertake any traffic, but should help make ready this fleet; and they have ever since bided their time, nor have they got any gain this year and a half past. Nay, rather have they suffered great loss; and for this reason my men desire, and I also, that ye pay the moneys which ye owe us. And if ye do not so, know then that ye shall not remove yourselves from this island until we shall have been paid, nor shall ye find any one to fetch you aught to drink or to eat."

But the Doge was a right worthy man, and, for all that he had said, he ceased not to suffer both drink and meat a plenty to be fetched to them.

Chapter 12: HOW THE PILGRIMS MADE YET ANOTHER LEVY; AND HOW THEY REACHED AN ACCORD WITH THE DOGE AND THE VENETIANS

When the counts and the other men of the cross heard that which the Doge had said, they were exceeding sad and sore distressed. And they made yet another levy, and they borrowed such moneys as they could of them that they believed might have any. And these they paid to the Venetians; but when they had paid them there yet remained to pay six and thirty thousand marks. And they said to them that they were utterly bereft, and that the host was much impoverished of this levy that they had made, and that they could procure no more moneys to pay them, but that they had scarce wherewithal to maintain their own host meanly. When the Doge saw that they were utterly unable to pay all these moneys, nay, rather, that they were in exceeding sore straits, he spoke to his people and said thus to them: "Sirs," (quoth he) "if we let these people go unto their own country, we shall ever be esteemed wicked men and deceivers. But let us straightway go to them and let us say to them that if they will render us these six and thirty thou–sand marks, which they owe us, out of the first conquests that they shall make and shall have for division, then will we set them over the sea."

The Venetians approved that which the Doge had said. Then went they to the pilgrims, there where they were lodged. And when they were come thither the Doge said unto them: "Sirs," (quoth he) "we have taken counsel together, I and my people, to the effect that if ye will promise us loyally to pay us those six and thirty thousand marks that ye owe us, from the first conquests that ye shall make on your account, then will we set you over the sea."

When the men of the cross heard that which the Doge had said to them and showed them, then were they right glad, and they fell at his feet for joy, and they promised that they would be very fain to do that which the Doge had advised them. And such rejoicing did they make that night that there was none so poor that he made not a great illumination, and they carried on the tips of their lances great torches of candles round about and within their lodgings, so that it seemed that all the host was one bonfire.

Chapter 13: HOW THE PILGRIMS MADE YET ANOTHER LEVY; HOW THE DOGE PROPOSED THAT THE PILGRIMS GO AGAINST ZARA; AND OF THE SETTING FORTH OF THE FLEET

Thereafter came the Doge to them, and he said to them: "Sirs, it is now winter, and we could not pass over the sea; nor is it I that have been lax in the matter, for I would have set you over long ere now, but ye yourselves have been lax therein. But let us make the best of the matter" (quoth the Doge). "There is a city near at hand; Zara" is the name thereof. They of that city have done us much hurt, and I and my men wish to avenge ourselves of them, if we can. And if ye will trust me, we will go thither this winter and abide there until about Eastertide; and by then we shall have made ready our fleet, and we will go thence beyond the sea, with God's help. And the city of Zara is a right goodly city, and full of all manner of riches!"

The barons and the men of high estate that had taken the cross agreed to that which the Doge had said; but not all the men of the host knew of the plan –none save the men of highest estate. Then did they all in common prepare for their voyage and make their fleet altogether ready. And they put forth to sea. And each of the men of high estate had his own ship for himself and his people, and his own transport to carry his horses; and the Doge of Venice had with him fifteen galleys, all at his own cost. The galley wherein he himself was, was all vermilion-coloured, and it had a pavilion stretched above it of vermilion samite, and there were four silver trumpets which sounded before him, and timbrels is that made a most joyful noise. And all the men of high estate, and clerks and lay–men, both small and great, made so great a rejoicing at their setting forth that never yet had such rejoicing and such an armament been seen or heard. And the pilgrims caused the priests and the clerks to go up into the castles of the ships, who chanted the "Veni Creator Spiritus." And all, both great and small, wept for fullness of heart and for the great gladness that they had.

And when the fleet set forth from the haven of Venice, and . . . .[missing line in the manuscript] dromonds, and the rich ships, and so many other vessels, that it was the goodliest thing to behold that ever hath been since the beginning of the world. For there were full an hundred pair of trumpets, both silver and brass, which all sounded for the departure, and so many timbrels and tabours and other instruments that it was a fair marvel to hear.

But when they were come forth upon the sea, and had spread their sails and hoisted their banners upon the castles of the ships, and their ensigns, then verily did it seem that the whole sea was all as warm, and that it was all ablaze with the ships that they were steering and the great rejoicing that they made.

Then they went their way until they came unto a city the name whereof was Pola. There went they on land, and refreshed themselves. And they tarried there a little time, until they were well refreshed and had bought fresh victuals to put in their ships. Thereafter did they put forth to sea again. And if they had made great rejoicing and revel before; now made they as great or greater; so that the folk of the city marveled much at the great rejoicing, and at the great fleet, and at the great pomp that they manifested. And they said (and this was in very deed the truth) that never had so fair a fleet, nor one so magnificent, been seen or assembled in any land, as was gathered there.

Chapter 14: HOW THE PILGRIMS AND THE VENETIANS WENT AGAINST ZARA; HOW THEY ATTACKED IT IN DESPITE OF THE POPE'S BAN; AND HOW THEY TOOK THE TOWN AND DIVIDED IT

So the pilgrims and the Venetians sailed until they came to Zara on the night of the feast of Saint Martin. When the men of the city of Zara saw the ships and the great squadrons coming, then were they sore afraid; and they caused the gates of the city to be shut, and they armed themselves as best they could, as if to defend themselves. When they were armed, the Doge spoke to all the notable men of the host, and said to them, "Sirs, this city hath done much evil both to me and to my people; fain would I avenge myself thereof. So I beseech you that ye come to mine aid." And the barons and notable men answered and said to him that they would aid him gladly.

Now the men of Zara knew full well that the men of Venice hated them. Therefore had they procured a letter from Rome to the effect that whosoever should make war upon them or should do them any hurt would be excommunicated. And they sent this letter by trusty messengers to the Doge and to the pil–grims who had come thither. When the messengers came to the host, then was the letter read before the Doge and before the pilgrims. When the letter was read and the Doge had heard it, he said that not for all the Pontiff's excommunication would he refrain from avenging himself on them of the city. Thereupon the mes–sengers went their ways.

Then spoke the Doge a second time to the barons, and he said to them, "Sirs, be it known to you that not in any wise would I refrain from avenging myself of them, not for the Pontiff himself!" And he besought them that they might aid him. The barons made answer all that they would aid him gladly - all save Count Simon of Montfort and my Lord Enguerrand of Boves. These said that they would in no wise go against the commandment of the Pontiff nor did they at all desire to be excommunicated. So they turned away, and went to Hungary to abide there through the winter.

When the Doge saw that the barons would aid him he caused his engines to be set up to assault the city, until they of the city saw that they could not hold out against them; then they came to terms and surrendered the city to them. Then did the pilgrims and the Venetians enter therein; and they divided the city into two halves, so that the pilgrims had the one half thereof and the Venetians the other.

Chapter 15: HOW A CONTENTION AROSE BETWEEN THE VENETIANS AND CERTAIN OF THE PILGRIMS; AND HOW THEY ALL OBTAINED ABSOLUTION FROM THE POPE

Thereafter it chanced that a great contention arose betwixt the Venetians and the baser sort amongst the pilgrims, which lasted a full night and half a day. And so great was this contention that scarcely were the knights able to separate them. But when they had separated them, they established so good a peace be–tween them that never thereafter did they fall out one with the other.

Then the notable men who had taken the cross, and the Venetians, spoke together concerning the excommunication wherewith they had been banned because of the city that they had taken, until they took counsel among themselves to send to Rome to obtain absolution. And they sent thither the Bishop of Soissons and my Lord Robert of Boves, who obtained from the Pontiff letters whereby all the pilgrims and all the Venetians were absolved. When they had their letters, then did the bishop return as speedily as he could, but my Lord Robert of Boves returned not with him but went his ways beyond the sea, straight from Rome.

Chapter 16: HOW THE PILGRIMS LOST HEART IN THEIR UNDERTAKING

In the mean time, while the men of the cross and the Venetians abode there that winter, they considered that they had made great expenditure, and they spoke together and said that they could in no wise go to Babylon, nor to Alexandria, nor to Syria, since they had neither victuals nor substance wherewith to go thither; for already had they spent well-nigh all that they had, both in the sojourn that they had made there and in the great payments that they had made for the fleet. And they said that they could in no wise go thither; and if they should go thither, they would accomplish nothing there, for they had neither victuals nor substance wherewith to sustain themselves.

Chapter 17: HOW THE DOGE ENCOURAGED THE PILGRIMS; AND OF THE OCCASION WHEREOF THE MARQUIS TOLD THEM OF GOING AGAINST CONSTANTINOPLE

The Doge of Venice perceived right well that the pilgrims were not at ease; and he spoke to them, and said to them: "Sirs, in Greece is there a very rich country, and abounding in all good things; if we could find a reasonable occasion for going thither and getting victuals in that country, and other things, until we should be fully restored, this would seem to me a good counsel, and so might we in sooth go on beyond the sea."

Then arose the marquis and said: "Sirs, I was last year at Yuletide in Germany, at the court of my Lord the Emperor. And there saw I a young man who was brother to the wife of the Emperor of Germany. And this young man was the son of the Emperor Isaac of Constantinople, from whom one of his own brothers had taken away the empire by treachery. Now whosoever could have this youth" (quoth the marquis), "he could right easily go to the land of Constantinople and get victuals and other things, for this youth is the rightful heir thereto."

Chapter 18: OF THE EMPEROR MANUEL COMNENUS AND OF HIS DEALINGS WITH THE FRANKS

And now will we leave off telling you of the pilgrims and of the feet, and we will tell you of this young man and of the Emperor Isaac, his father, how they fared before.

There was an emperor in Constantinople whose name was Manuel. And he was a right worthy man, this emperor, and richest of all the Christians who ever were, and the most bountiful; nor ever did any one ask of him aught of that which was his (one who was of the religion of Rome and who could speak with him) that he caused not an hundred marks to be given him. Thus have we heard men testify concerning him.

This emperor loved the Franks much, and much did he trust them. One day it came to pass that the people of his land and his counselors chide him sore, even as they had chidden him many a time before, because he was so bountiful and loved the Franks so exceedingly. And the emperor made answer to them, "There be but two persons who ought to give, God and I. But if ye so counsel, I would dismiss the Franks, and all of them that are of the religion of Rome who are about me and my army."

And the Greeks were right glad thereat and said, "Ali, lord! Now will ye act right well, and right well will we serve you."

And the emperor commanded that all the Franks should depart, and the Greeks were passing glad thereat. Thereafter the emperor bade all the Franks, and the others whom he had dismissed, come and speak with him privately. And so did they. And when they were come, then said the emperor unto them, "Sirs, my people leave me not in peace except I give you no gifts and drive you forth of my land. But do ye all depart together, and I will follow you, both I and all my people; and so see ye to it that ye are in such and such a place" (which he named unto them), "and I will send you word by my messengers that ye are to go your ways; but ye shall send me answer that ye will not go, for all me or my people, but rather ye shall make a great show of attacking me; then shall I see how my people prove themselves."

And all this they did. And when they had departed the emperor summoned all his people and followed them. And when he drew near to them he bade them straightway go their ways and take themselves forth of his lands; and they who had counseled the emperor to drive them forth of his land were right glad, and they said to the emperor, "Lord, if they will not straightway go their ways, give us leave that we slay them all!"

And the emperor answered, "Gladly!"

And when the emperor's messengers came to the Franks they delivered them their message most arrogantly, that they should straightway go their ways. And the Franks made answer to the messengers and told them that they would not go, not for all the emperor and his people. The messengers returned and reported what the Franks had answered. Then did the emperor bid his people arm themselves and help him to attack the Franks; and they all armed themselves, and they went against the Franks. And the Franks advanced to meet them, and they had ordered well their battalions. And when the emperor saw that they were advancing against him and against his people, to combat them, then said he to his people, "Sirs, be mindful now to acquit yourselves well! Now can ye well avenge yourselves of them!"

And when he had said this, the Greeks were filled with great fear of the Latins (for men do call all those of the religion of Rome, Latins), and the Latins made great feint of attacking them. When the Greeks saw this they turned and fled, and they left the emperor all alone. When the emperor saw this, then said he to the Franks: "Now come ye back again, and I will give you more than ever yet I have given!"

And he led back the Franks, and when they were come back, then summoned he his people, and he said to them, "Sirs, now can it well be seen whom one ought to trust. Ye fled away, when ye ought to have aided me, and ye left me all alone, and if the Latins had so wished, they might have cut me all in pieces. But now do I command that no one of you be so bold or so daring that he ever again speak of my bounty, nor of the love that I bear to the Franks; for verily do I love them and trust them more than you, and therefore will I give them more than I have yet given them!"

And the Greeks were never thereafter so bold that they durst speak thereof.

Chapter 19: HOW THE EMPEROR MANUEL BETROTHED HIS SON TO THE SISTER OF KING PHILIP OF FRANCE

This Emperor Manuel had a very fair son by his wife, and he purposed to make for him as high a marriage as he could; and by the advice of the Franks he sent word to Philip, the King of France, that he should give his sister in mar–riage to this his son. And the emperor sent his messengers to France, who were very notable men; and they journeyed thither in very rich array, nor ever yet had men been seen to journey in richer or more magnificent array than did these, so that the King of France and his people marveled at the magnificence that the messengers displayed.

When the messengers came to the king, then told they him the word that the emperor sent him. And the king said that he would take counsel in the matter. And when the king took counsel concerning it, then did his barons advise that he send his sister to so noble a man and so rich a man as was the emperor. Then did the king make answer to the messengers that he would gladly send his sister to the emperor.

Chapter 20: HOW KING PHILIP'S SISTER JOURNEYED TO CONSTANTINOPLE; AND HOW THE EMPEROR'S KINSMAN, ANDRONICUS, OFFERED VIOLENCE TO QUEEN THEODORA OF JERUSALEM

Then did the king accoutre his sister most richly and send her with the messengers to Constantinople, and much people with her. And they rode and jour–neyed without resting until they came to Constantinople. And when they were come thither, then did the emperor show the damsel great honour, and he had great joy both of her and of her people.

In the mean time, when the emperor had sent for this damsel, he also sent elsewhere across the sea a certain kinsman of his, Andronicus by name, for Queen Theodora of Jerusalem, who was his sister, that she might come to the crowning of his son and to the feast. The queen put to sea with Andronicus, to come to Constantinople. But when they had gone some long way upon the sea, what did Andronicus do but begin to lust after the queen, who was his own cousin, and lie with her by force. And when he had done this, he durst not return again to Constantinople, but he took the queen and brought her by force to Konieh," to the Saracens. And there he abode.

Chapter 21: HOW THE EMPEROR MANUEL DIED; HOW ANDRONICUS, BY CRAFT AND VIOLENCE, MADE HIMSELF EMPEROR; AND OF THE AD–VENTURES OF THE YOUTH ISAAC ANGELUS

When the Emperor Manuel got word that Andronicus had dealt thus with his sister, he was sore grieved thereat; nevertheless, for all this did he not forego his purpose to make high festival and to crown his son and the damsel. But no great time thereafter the emperor died.

When Andronicus, the traitor, heard tell that the Emperor Manuel was dead, he sent word to Manuel's son, who was now emperor, and besought him in God's name to lay aside his displeasure, and he persuaded him that this was but a lie that had been told against him; so that the emperor, who was but a lad, laid aside his displeasure and sent for him. And so this Andronicus came back, and was ever about the lad, until the lad made him bailiff of all his land; and he waxed exceeding proud because of the bailiwick that he held.

And it came to pass, no long time thereafter, that he seized the emperor by night and murdered him, and his mother also. When he had done this he took two very great stones and caused them to be bound about their necks and then he let them be cast into the sea. Thereafter he caused himself by force to be crowned emperor. When he was crowned, he seized all those of whom he knew that they took it in evil part that he should be emperor, and he put out their eyes, and grievously entreated them, and caused them to die an evil death. And he took all the fair women that he found, and lay with them by force; and he took the empress to wife, who was the sister to the King of France; and he wrought so many and so great iniquities that never any other traitor or murderer wrought such as he wrought.

When he had wrought all these iniquities, he enquired of one of his master bailiffs who helped him to bring about all these calamities, if there were left any of them who took it in evil part that he should be emperor. And this man answered him that he knew of none such, save that it was said that there were three goodly youths who were of the house that was called the House of Angelus; and they were notable men, but by no means rich, rather, poor men, nor had they any great power. When the Emperor Andronicus heard that there indeed were three youths of that house he commanded that bailiff of his, who was a most wicked man and a traitor, even as he himself was, to go and take them and hang them or cause them to die an evil death. The bailiff went forth to take these three brethren, but he took only one of them and the two escaped. As for him who was taken, they put out his eyes; afterward he became a monk. The two others fled, and the one of them went into a land that is called Wallachia; the name of this one was Isaac. And the other went to Antioch and was taken by the Saracens in a foray that the Christians made.

He who fled to Wallachia was in such straits there that he could not sustain himself, and at last, because of dire poverty, he returned to Constantinople and hid himself in the house of a widow woman in that city. Now he possessed not a chattel in the world save a mule and one manservant; and this servant, with the mule, trafficked in wines which the beast carried about, and in other things, whereby his master Isaac and he did live. At length came tidings to the emperor, the traitor Andronicus, that the man was indeed come back to the city. Then commanded he his bailiff, who was sorely hated of all the people because of the evils that he wrought every day that he should go and take this Isaac and hang him. Accordingly, this man mounted his horse one day, and took much people with him, and went his way to the house of the good woman. And when he was come thither he caused them to call at the door, and the good woman came forth and wondered much what he desired; until at last he commanded that she should lead forth him that was hidden in her house. And the good woman answered and said, "Ah, lord! By God's grace, there is no man hidden therein!"

And he commanded her yet again that she should cause him to come forth; else, if she did not so, he would seize them both. When the good woman heard that, she was filled with great fear of this devil who wrought so much evil, and she went into the house and came to the young man and said to him, "Ah, fair Sir Isaac! Ye are indeed a dead man! For here is the emperor's bailiff, and much people with him, who are come to seek you for to use you despitefully and to slay you!"

The young man was sore dismayed when he heard these tidings; nevertheless, he came forth, for he was in no wise able to save himself from going out to the bailiff. Then what did he do but take his sword and put it underneath his surcoat. And he went forth of the house and came before the bailiff and said to him: "Sir, what is your pleasure?"

And the bailiff answered him most despitefully and said to him: "Thou foul varlet ! Now shalt thou be hanged!"

So Isaac saw that, will he, nill he, he must perforce go with them; but right fain would he avenge himself on some one of them. And he drew as nigh as he might to the bailiff, then drew he his sword and smote the bailiff in the middle of his head, so that he clove it clean down to the teeth.

Chapter 22: OF THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF ISAAC; AND HOW HE WAS CROWNED EMPEROR

When the sergeants and the folk that were with the bailiff saw how the young man had thus cloven the bailiff asunder, they fled away. When the young man saw them fleeing, he took the horse of the bailiff whom he had slain and mounted it, yet holding fast his sword, which was all bloody. And what did he do then but set out on his way to go toward the Minster of Saint Sophia. And as he was going his way he cried mercy to the folk that were along the streets, who were all sore affrighted because of the hubbub that they had heard; and the young man said to them, "Sirs, by God's grace, slay me not! For I have put to death that devil and murderer, who hath brought all manner of shame on them of this city and on others!"

When he came to the Minster of Saint Sophia he gat himself up upon the altar and embraced the cross, because he would safeguard his own life. Then the shouting and the hubbub waxed very great in the city, for so went the shouting up and down the whole city that everywhere therein it was known how Isaac had slain this demon and murderer. When they of the city knew this they rejoiced greatly thereat, and they ran, every one for himself, toward the Minster of Saint Sophia, for to see this young man who had wrought this bold deed. And when they were all gathered there, then began they to say one to another, "This is a valiant fellow and a bold, for that he hath ventured so bold a deed!"

And then said the Greeks one to another, "Let us seize the occasion! Let us make this young man emperor!"

And thus did they all agree among themselves. Then sent they for the Patri–arch, who at that very season was in his palace, that he should come and crown a new emperor whom they had chosen. When the Patriarch heard this he said that he would do noting of the sort, and he began to say, "Sirs, ye do ill! Be ye at peace! Ye do not well at all, ye that have undertaken such a thing. If I should crown him, then would the Emperor Andronicus put me to death and hew me all in pieces!"

And the Greeks answered him that, if he would not crown him, then would they cut off the Patriarch's head; so that the Patriarch, by force and because of the fear that was in him, came down from his palace and went to the minster, where Isaac was standing, in a very mean robe and very mean garments, for that selfsame day had the Emperor Andronicus sent his bailiff and his people to take and to destroy him. Then did the Patriarch array himself, and he crowned him with all speed and haste, whether he would or no. When Isaac was crowned, then did the tale thereof spread all up and down the city, until Andronicus knew it and knew that Isaac had slain his bailiff, nor even yet could he ever believe it until he sent thither his own messengers. And when his messengers came thither, then saw they that it was indeed true; and they went straightway back to the emperor and said, "Lord, it is all true!"

When the emperor knew that this was true he arose and took many of his people with him and went even to the Minster of Saint Sophia, through certain passages that led from his palace even to the minster. When he was come to the minster, then did he go on until he was over the vaults of the minster, and he saw him who had been crowned. And when he saw him, he was sorely grieved thereat; and he enquired of his people if there was any of them that had a bow. And they brought him one, and an arrow. And Andronicus taketh the bow, and he bent it, and he thought to pierce Isaac, who had been crowned, through the midst of the body. But as he bent it, the bowstring burst in twain, and he was sorely vexed and troubled thereat. So back went he to his palace, and then said he to his people that they should go and shut the gates of the palace and should arm themselves and defend the palace. And thus they did. And in the mean time he went forth of the palace and came to a secret postern-gate, and thereby went he out of the city. And he went on board a galley, and certain of his people with him; and he put out to sea, for he desired not that the people of the city should take him.

Thereafter, the people of the city went to the palace and brought the new emperor with them. And they took the palace by force, and they led the emperor within it. And then they seated him on the throne of Constantine; and after he was seated on the throne of Constantine, they did reverence to him, even as to an holy emperor. The emperor was very glad of the great honour that God had this day bestowed upon him, and he said to the people, "Sirs, now behold the great marvel of this great honour which God hath bestowed upon me; for in that very day that they sought to take me and destroy me, in that selfsame day am I crowned emperor! And because of the great honour that ye have done me, I give you all the treasure that is in this palace and in the Palace of Blachernae."

When the people heard this they were all exceeding glad because of the great gift that the emperor had given them; and they went and brake into the treasury and found there so much gold and silver that it was in sooth a marvel. And they divided it amongst themselves.

Now on that same night when Andronicus fled, there arose so great a tempest on the sea, and so great a storm of wind and of thunder and of lightning, that neither he nor his people knew whither they were going; and at last the storm and the blast drove them back again to Constantinople, nor did they know a word of it. But when they saw that they were come back to land and could not proceed on their way, then said Andronicus to his people, "Sirs, look and see where we are."

And they looked and saw plainly that they were returned to Constantinople; therefore said they to Andronicus: "Lord, we are dead men! For we are come back again to Constantinople!"

When Andronicus heard this he was so sore dismayed that he knew not what to do, and he said to his people, "Sirs, for God's sake take us elsewhere, away from this place!"

And they answered that they could not proceed on their way, even though one were to cut off their heads. And when they saw that they could not on any wise proceed on their way, they took Andronicus, the emperor, and brought him to a tavern, and they hid him behind the wine-butts. The tavern-keeper and his wife regarded closely these people, and it was in their mind that they were of the people of the Emperor Andronicus. At last, by chance, the tavern-keeper's wife went about amongst the wine-butts for to see that they were stopped tight, and looking round about her, lo, she espied Andronicus sitting behind the wine-butts in all his imperial vestments; and she knew him right well. So back came she to her lord, and she said to him, "Lord, Andronicus, the emperor, is hidden here within!"

When the tavern-keeper heard this he sent a messenger to a certain nobleman who dwelt hard by in a great palace, whose father Andronicus had put to death; moreover, he had ravished the wife of this nobleman. When the messenger was come thither he said to this nobleman that Andronicus was in the house of the tavern-keeper. And the man was rejoiced thereat; and he took certain of his people and went to the tavern-keeper's house and seized Andronicus and brought him to his own palace.

And when the morrow came, early in the morning, the nobleman took Andronicus and led him away to the royal palace into the presence of the Emperor Isaac. When Isaac saw him he said to him, "Andronicus, wherefore hast thou in such fashion betrayed thy lord, the Emperor Manuel; and wherefore didst thou murder his wife and his son; and wherefore hast thou been so fain to do evil to those who were displeased because thou went emperor; and wherefore didst thou seek to have me taken?"

And Andronicus answered him, "Hold thy peace!" (quoth he) "for I would not deign to answer thee!"

When the Emperor Isaac heard that he would not deign to answer him, he summoned many of the men of the city to come into his presence. And when they were in his presence, the emperor said to them, "Sirs, behold, here is Andronicus, who hath done so much evil both to you and to others. I myself could, me seemeth, in no wise do such justice to him as ye all would desire; but I release him to you, to do with him what ye will."

Then were the men of the city right glad, and they took him; and some said that he should be burned; and others, that he should be boiled in a caldron that he might live longer and suffer more; and others, that he should be drawn and quartered; so that they could not agree amongst themselves by what death or what torture they might destroy him. But there was there a certain wise man, who said, "Sirs, if ye would trust me, I would show you how we might avenge ourselves right well of him. I have at home a camel, which is the foulest beast and the most bedunged and ugliest in the world. Now we will take Andronicus, and we will strip him stark naked, and we will bind him to the camel's back in such fashion that his face shall be against its rump, and we will lead him from one end of the city even unto the other. Thus will all they, both men and women, whom he hath wronged, be able to avenge themselves right well."

And all agreed to that which that man had told them. And they took Andronicus and bound him even as the man had devised. And as they were leading him adown the city, then came those that he had wronged; and they stabbed him and pricked him, some with knives, and others with daggers, and yet others with swords. And they cried, "Twas thou didst hang my father! 'Twas thou didst ravish my wife!"

And the women whose daughters he had taken by force tare his beard and wrought such other indignities on him that when they were come to the other end of the city there was no flesh whatsoever left upon his body. Then took they his bones and cast them into a draught-house. In such wise did they avenge themselves of the traitor.

And after the day that Isaac became emperor, it was portrayed upon the portals of the minster how Isaac was made emperor by a miracle, and how Our Lord was laying the crown upon him on the one side and Our Lady on the other; and how the angel cut the string of the bow wherewith Andronicus sought to shoot him, because, said they, his house bore the surname of Angelus.

Chapter 26: HOW THE EMPEROR ISAAC PROCURED THE ENLARGEMENT OF HIS BROTHER FROM THE HANDS OF THE SARACENS

Thereafter there laid hold on him a great longing to see his brother, who was in captivity in the land of the heathen, therefore did he take messengers and send them to seek his brother. And they sought him until they learned in what place he was held in captivity, then went they thither. When they were come thither and when the Saracens heard that the young man was brother to the Emperor of Constantinople, then did they esteem him much more precious because of that, and they said that they would not give him up without great ransom. So the messengers gave them as much gold and silver as they demanded. And when they had redeemed him they returned to Constantinople.

Chapter 27: HOW THE EMPEROR ISAAC SAW AGAIN HIS BROTHER ALEXIUS; AND HOW HE MADE HIS BROTHER BAILIFF OF HIS LAND

When the Emperor Isaac saw his brother he was exceeding glad of him and made great rejoicing over him; and he also was right glad in his turn, because his brother was emperor and because he had won the empire by his might. This young man was called Alexius. And it was not long thereafter that the emperor, his brother, made him bailiff of his land and commander thereof. Then did he wax so proud of this bailiwick that he had, that the people of all the empire spoke very ill of him; but they feared him because he was brother to the emperor and because the emperor so loved him.

Chapter 28: OF THE TREACHERY OF THE ELDER ALEXIUS; AND HOW THE YOUNG ALEXIUS, HIS NEPHEW, WAS SAVED FROM IT

Thereafter it chanced one day that the emperor went hunting in his forest; and what did Alexius, his brother, do, but come into the forest where the emperor was and seize him treacherously and put out his eyes. Thereafter, when he had done this, he caused him to be cast into prison, albeit none knew a word thereof. And when he had done this, back came he to Constantinople and caused it to be noised abroad that the emperor, his brother, was dead; and he had himself crowned emperor by force.

But when the tutor of the Emperor Isaac's son knew that the child's uncle had betrayed his father and made himself emperor by treachery, what did he do but take the child and cause him to be carried into Germany, to his sister, who was wife to the emperor of Germany; for he desired not that the child's uncle should have him put to death, and the child was more the rightful heir than was Alexius, his uncle.

Chapter 29: HOW ALL THESE THINGS CONCERNED THE MEN OF THE CROSS AND THEIR UNDERTAKING

Now have ye heard how Isaac fared, and how he became emperor, and how his son came into Germany - he for whom the men of the cross and the Venetians had sent by counsel of the Marquis of Montferrat, their master (even as ye have heard before in this history, that they might have occasion to go to the land of Constantinople). Now will we tell you concerning this child, and concerning the men of the cross, how they sent for him, and how they went against Constantinople, and how they took it.

Chapter 30: HOW THE MEN OF THE CROSS SENT MESSENGERS FOR THE YOUNG MAN ALEXIUS

When the marquis had said to the pilgrims and to the Venetians that whosoever should possess the child of whom we have spoken heretofore, he would have good occasion to go unto Constantinople and get provision for them there, then did the men of the cross accoutre two knights right richly and well, and they sent them into Germany for this young man, that he might come to them. And they sent him word that they would help him to gain that which was his right.