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 sojourned 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 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 oversea.
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 eighty 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.
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE FRANKS AND VENETIANS BEFORE ATTACKING
CONSTANTINOPLE
Now let us leave speaking of those who avoided the host, and speak of
those before Constantinople. Well had these prepared all their engines,
and mounted their petraries, and mangonels on the ships and on the
transports, and got ready all such engines of war as are needful for
the taking of a city, and raised ladders from the yards and masts of
the vessels, so high that they were a marvel to behold.*
[Note: This passage is obscure in the original.]
And when the Greeks saw this, they began, on their side, to strengthen
the defences of the city which was enclosed with high walls and high
towers. Nor was any tower so high that they did not raise thereon two
or three stages of wood to heighten it still more. Never was city so
well fortified. Thus did the Greeks and the Franks bestir themselves on
the one side and the other during the greater part of Lent.
Then those of the host spoke together, and took counsel what they
should do. Much was advanced this way and that, but in the end, they
devised that if God granted them entry into the city by force, all the
booty taken was to be brought together, and fittingly distributed; and
further, if the city fell into their power, six men should be taken
from among the Franks, and six from among the Venetians, and these
twelve should swear, on holy relics, to elect as emperor the man who,
as they deemed, would rule with most profit to the land. And whosoever
was thus elected emperor, would have one quarter of whatever was
captured, whether within the city or without, and moreover would
possess the palace of Bucoleon and that of Blachernæ; and the remaining
three parts would be divided into two, and one of the halves awarded to
the Venetians and the other to those of the host.
And there should be taken twelve of the wisest and most experienced men
among the host of the pilgrims, and twelve among the Venetians, and
those twenty-four would divide fiefs and honours, and appoint the
service to be done therefor to the emperor.
This covenant was made sure and sworn to on the one side and the other
by the Franks and the Venetians; with provision that at the end of
March, a year thence, any who so desired might depart hence and go
their way, but that those who remained in the land would be held to the
service of the emperor in such mariner as might be ordained. Thus was
the covenant devised and made sure; and such as should not observe it
were excommunicated by the clergy.