And they stood in great
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need of succour, for Johannizza, the King of Wallachia, had mightily
oppressed them with war. So Renier helped them right well, and held a
great part of the land, and most of those who had sided with
Johannizza, now turned to him. In those parts the war with Johannizza
raged fiercely.
Tle emperor had sent some hundred knights over the straits of Saint
George opposite Constantinople. Macaire of SainteMen,ehould was in
command, and with him went Matthew of Wallincourt, and Robert of
Ronsoi. They rode to a city called Nicomedia, which lies on a gulf of
the sea, and is well two days' journey from Constantinople. When the
Greeks saw them coming, they avoided the city, and went away; so the
pilgrims lodged therein, and garrisoned it, and enclosed it with
walls, and began to wage war before them, on that side also.
The land on the other side of the straits had for lord a Greek named
Theodore Lascaris. He had for wife the daughter of the Emperor
Alexius, through whom he laid claim to the land - this was the Alexius
whom the Franks had driven from Constantinople, and who had put out
his brother's eyes. The same Lascaris maintained the war against the
Franks on the other side of the straits, in whatsoever part they might
be.
In Constantinople remained the Emperor Baldwin and Count Louis, with
but few people, and the Count of St. Paul, who was grievously sick
with gout, that held him by the knees and feet; and the Doge of
Venice, who saw naught.
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