After this time came from the land of Syria a great company of those
who had abandoned the host, and gone thither from other ports than
Venice. With this company came Stephen of Perche, and Renaud of
Montmirail, who was cousin to Count Louis, and they were by him much
honoured, for he was very glad of their coming. And the Emperor
Baldwin, and the rest of the people also received them very gladly, for
they were of high rank, and very rich, and brought very many good
people with them.
From the land of Syria came Hugh of Tabarie, and Raoul his brother, and
Thierri of Tenremonde, and very many people of the land, knights and
light horsemen, and sergeants. And the Emperor Baldwin gave to Stephen
of Perche the duchy of Philadelphia.
Among other tidings came news at this time to the Emperor Baldwin
whereby he was made very sorrowful; for the Countess Mary* his wife,
whom he had left in Flanders, seeing she could not go with him because
she was with child—he was then but count—had brought forth a
daughter—and afterwards, on her recovery, she started to go to her lord
overseass and passed to the port of Marseilles, and coming to Acre, she
had but just landed, when the tidings came to her from
Constantinople—told by the messengers whom her lord had sent—that
Constantinople was taken, and her lord made emperor, to the great joy
of all Christendom. On hearing this the lady was minded to come to him
forthwith. Then a sickness took her, and she made an end and died,
whereof there was great dole throughout all Christendom, for she was a
gracious and virtuous lady and greatly honoured. And those who came in
this company brought the tidings of her death, whereof the Emperor
Baldwin had sore affliction, as also the barons of the land, for much
did they desire to have her for their lady.
[Note: She was the daughter of Henry Count of Champagne and of Mary,
daughter of Philip Augustus, King of France]