So one morning, at the break of day, he issued
from the city in force, and got as far as the tents, and killed many
before they could get to their armour. . There was killed Dreux of
Estruen, who was very honourable and valiant, and greatly was he
lamented. And James of Avesnes, who was in command, waxed very wroth
at the death of his knight, and did not leave the fray till he was
wounded in the leg right grievously. And well did those who were
present bear witness that it was to his doughtiness that they owed
their safety; for you must know that they came very near to being all
lost. But by God's help they drove the Greeks back into the castle by
force.
Now the Greeks, who were very disloyal, still nourished treachery in
their hearts. They perceived at that time that the Franks were so
scattered over the land that each had his own matters to attend to. So
they thought they could the more easily betray them. They took envoys
therefore privily, from all the cities in the land, and sent them to
Johannizza, the King of Wallachia and Bulgaria, who was still at war
with them as he had been aforetime. And they told Johannizza they
would make him emperor, and give themselves wholly to him, and slay
all the Franks. So they swore that they would obey him as their lord,
and he swore that he would defend them as though they were his own
people. Such was the oath sworn.
88
UPRISING OF THE GREEKS AT DEMOTICA AND ADRIANOPLE; THEIR DEFEAT AT
ARCADIOPOLIS
At that time there happened a great misfortune at Constantinople, for
Count Hugh of St.
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