On the fourth day the emperor knew clearly that he had been ill-advised
to quarrel with the marquis, and then the Doge of Venice and Count
Louis came to speak to him and said: “Sire, we would pray you to refer
this matter to us, as the marquis has done.” And the emperor said he
would do so right willingly. Then were envoys chosen to fetch the
marquis, and bring him thither. Of them envoys one was Gervais of
Châtel, and the second Renier of Trit, and Geoffry, Marshal of
Champagne the third, and the Doge of Venice sent two of his people.
The envoys rode day by day till they came to Demotica, and they found
the marquis with the empress his wife, and a great number of right
worthy people, and they told him how they had come to fetch him. Then
did Geoffry the Marshal desire him to come to Constantinople, as he had
promised, and make peace in such wise as might be settled by those in
whose hands he had remitted his cause; and they promised him safe
conduct, as also to those who might go with him.
The marquis took counsel with his men. Some there were who agreed that
he should go, and some who advised that he should not go. But the end
of the debate was such that he went with the envoys to Constantinople,
and took full a hundred knights with him; and they rode day by day till
they came to Constantinople. Very gladly were they received in the
city; and Count Louis of Blois and Chartres, and the Doge of Venice
went out to meet the marquis, together with many other right worthy
people, for he was much loved in the host.
Then was a parliament assembled, and the covenants were rehearsed
between the Emperor Baldwin and the Marquis Boniface; and Salonika was
restored to Boniface, with the land, he placing Demotica, which he had
seized, in the hands of Geoffry the Marshal of Champagne, who undertook
to keep it till he heard, by accredited messenger, or letters duly
sealed, that the marquis was seized of Salonika, when he would give
back Demotica to the emperor, or to whomsoever the emperor might
appoint. Thus was peace made between the emperor and the marquis, as
you have heard. And great was the joy thereof throughout the host, for
out of this quarrel might very great evil have arisen.
THE KINGDOM OF SALONIKA IS RESTORED TO BONIFACE—DIVISION OF THE LAND
BETWEEN THE CRUSADERS
The marquis then took leave, and went towards Salonika with his people,
and with his wife; and with him rode the envoys of the emperor; and as
they went from castle to castle, each, with all its lordship, was
restored to the marquis on the part of the emperor. So they came to
Salonika, and those who held the place for the emperor surrendered it.
Now the governor, whom the emperor had left there, and whose name was
Renier of Mons, had died; he was a man most worthy, and his death a
great mischance.
Then the land and country began to surrender to the marquis, and a
great part thereof to come under his rule. But a Greek, a man of great
rank, whose name was Leon Sgure, would in no wise come under the rule
of the marquis, for he had seized Corinth and Napoli, two cities that
lie upon the sea, and are among the strongest cities under heaven. He
then refused to surrender, but began to make war against the marquis,
and a very great many of the Greeks held with him. And another Greek,
whose name was Michael, and who had come with the marquis from
Constantinople, and was thought by the marquis to be his friend, he
departed, without any word said, and went to a city called Arthe (?
Durazzo) and took to wife the daughter of a rich Greek, who held the
land from the emperor, and seized the land, and began to make war on
the marquis.
Now the land from Constantinople to Salonika was quiet and at peace,
for the ways were so safe that all could come and go at their pleasure,
and from the one city to the other there were full twelve long days’
journey. And so much time had now passed that we were at the beginning
of September (1204). And the Emperor Baldwin was in Constantinople, and
the land at peace, and under his rule. Then died two right good knights
in Constantinople, Eustace of Canteleu, and Aimery of Villeroi, whereof
their friends had great sorrow.
Then did they begin to divide the land. The Venetians had their
part, and the pilgrims the other. And when each one was able to go to
his own land, the covetousness of this world, which has worked so great
evil, suffered them not to be at peace, for each began to deal wickedly
in his land, some more, and some less, and the Greeks began to hate
them and to nourish a bitter heart.
Then did the Emperor Baldwin bestow on Count Louis the duchy of Nice,
which was one of the greatest lordships in the land of Roumania, and
situate on the other side of the straits, towards Turkey. Now all the
land on the other side of the straits had not surrendered to the
emperor, but was against him. Then afterwards he gave the duchy of
Philippopolis to Renier of Trit.
So Count Louis sent his men to conquer his land-some hundred and
twenty knights. And over them were set Peter of Bracieux and Payen of
Orleans. They left Constantinople on All Saints Day (1st November
1204), and passed over the Straits of St. George on ship-board, and
came to Piga, a city that lies on the sea, and is inhabited by Latins.
And they began to war against the Greeks.