This dolorous news came to Henry the Regent of the empire, while he was
going in procession to the shrine of our Lady of Blachernæ, on the day
of the feast of our Lady St. Mary Candlemas. And you must know that
many were then dismayed in Constantinople, and they thought of a truth
that the land was but lost. And Henry, the Regent of the empire,
decided that he would place a garrison in Selymbria, which was a two
days’ journey from Constantinople, and he sent thither Macaire of
Sainte-Menehould, with fifty knights to garrison the city.
Now when tidings came to Johannizza, King of Wallachia, as to how his
people had fared, he was very greatly rejoiced; for they had killed or
taken a very great part of the best men in the French host. So he sent
throughout all his lands to collect as many people as he could, and
raised a great host of Comans, and Greeks and Wallachians, and entered
into Roumania. And the greater part of the cities held for him, and all
the castles; and he had so large a host that it was a marvel.
When the Venetians heard tell that he was coming with so great a force,
they abandoned Arcadiopolis. And Johannizza rode with all his hosts
till he came to Napoli, which was garrisoned by Greeks and Latins, and
belonged to Vemas, who had to wife the empress, the sister of the King
of France; and of the Latins was chief Bègue of Fransures, a knight of
the land of the Beauvaisais. And Johannizza, the King of Wallachia,
caused the city to be assaulted, and took it by force.
There was so great a slaughter of people killed, that it was a marvel.
And Bègue of Fransures was taken before Johannizza, who had him killed
incontinently, together with all, whether Greek or Latin, who were of
any account; and all the meaner folk, and women and children, he caused
to, be led away captive to Wallachia. Then did he cause all the
city—which was very good and very rich, and in a good land, to be cast
down and utterly destroyed. Thus was the city of Napoli rased to the
ground as you have heard.