We will speak no further now of Renier of Trit but return to the
Emperor Baldwin, who is in Constantinople, with but very few people,
and greatly angered and much distracted. He was waiting for Henry his
brother, and all the people on the other side of the straits, and the
first who came to him from the other side of the straits came from
Nicomedia, viz.: Macaire of Sainte-Menehould, and Matthew of
Wallincourt, and Robert of Ronsoi, and with them full a hundred
knights.
When the emperor saw them, he was right glad, and he consulted with
Count Louis, who was Count of Blois and Chartres. And they settled to
go forth, with as many men as they had, to follow Geoffry the Marshal
of Champagne, who had gone before. Alas! what a pity it was they did
not wait till all had joined them who were on the other side of the
straits, seeing how few people they had, and how perilous the adventure
on which they were bound.
So they started from Constantinople, some one hundred and forty
knights, and rode from day to day till they came to the castle of
Neguise, where Geoffry the Marshal was quartered. That night they took
counsel together, and the decision to which they came was, that on the
morrow they should go before Adrianople, and lay siege to it. So they
ordered their battalions, and did for the best with such people as they
had.
When the morning came, and full daylight, they rode as had been
arranged, and came before Adrianople. And they found it very well
defended, and saw the flags of Johannizza, King of Wallachia and
Bulgaria, on the walls and towers; and the city was very strong and
very rich, and very full of people. Then they made an assault, with
very few people, before two of the gates, and this was on the Tuesday
of Palmtide (29th March 1205). So did they remain before the city for
three days, in great discomfort, and but few in number.