So they
returned to the host, where they were right well received, and their
spoils were divided, as was fit.
MESSAGE OF THE EMPEROR ALEXIUS-REPLY OF THE CRUSADERS
The next day after, the Emperor Alexius sent an envoy with letters to
the counts and to the barons. This envoy was called Nicholas Roux, and
he was a native of Lombardy. He found the barons in the rich palace of
Scutari, where they were holding council and he saluted them on the
part of the Emperor Alexius of Constantinople, and tendered his
letters to the Marquis of Montferrat-who received them. And the
letters were read before all the barons; and there were in them words,
written after various manners, which the book does not (here) relate,
and at the end of the other words so written, came words of credit,
accrediting the bearer of the letters, whose name was Nicholas Roux.
"Fair Sir," said the barons, "we have seen your letters, and they tell
us that we are to give credit to what you say, and we credit you right
well. Now speak as it pleases you."
And the envoy was standing before the barons, and spoke thus: "Lords,"
said he, "the Emperor Alexius would have you know that he is well
aware that you are the best people
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uncrowned, and come from the best land on earth. And he marvels much
why, and for what purpose, you have come into his land and kingdom.
For you are Christians, and he is a Christian, and well he knows that
you are on your way to deliver the Holy Land overseass and the Holy
Cross, and the Sepulchre.
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