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Villehardouin, Geoffroi de, 1150-1213

"Memoirs or Chronicle of the Fourth Crusade and the Conquest of Constantinople"

Of such mortal treachery was the KinL, of Wallachia
guilty, as you have heard. Here'did the host suffer grievous loss, one
of the most dolorous that ever it suffered. And Johannizza had the
castle and city razed, and went on after the marquis.
THE REGENT BESIEGES ADRIANOPLE IN VAIN
Henry, the Regent of the empire, with all his power, rode towards
Adrianople, and laid siege to it; and he was in great peril, for there
were many, both within and without the city who so hemmed him in, he
and his people, that they could scantl buy provisions, or go foraging.
Therefore they enclosed their camp with palisades and barriers, and
told off part of their men to keep guard within the palisades and
barriers, while the others attacked the city.
And they devised machines of divers kinds, and scaling ladders, and
many other engines, and wrought diligently to take the city. But they
could not take it, for the city was very strong and well furnished for
defence. So matters went ill with them, and many of their people were
wounded; and one of their good knights, Peter of Bracieux, was struck
on the forehead from a mangonel, and brought near to death; but he
recovered, by the will of God, and was taken away in a litter.
When they saw that they could in no wise prevail against the city,
Henry the Regent of the empire, and the French host departed. And
greatly were they harassed by the people of the land and by the
Greeks; and they rode -from day to day till they came to a city called
Pamphyle, and lodged there, and sojourned in it for two months.


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