So a great part of the people, who were Paulicians, [Note: An Eastem
sect. They believed, among other things, that all matter is evfl, and
that Christ suffered in appearance only.] betook themselves to
Johannizza, and surrendered themselves to him, and said: " Sire, ride
to Philippopolis, or send thither thy host, and we will deliver the
whole city into thy hands."
When Renier of Trit, who was in the city, knew of this, he doubted not
that they would yield up the city to Johannizza. So he issued forth
with as many people as he could collect, and left at the point of day,
and came to one of the outlying quarters of the city where dwelt the
Paulicians who had repaired to Johannizza, and he set fire to that
quarter of the city, and burned a great part of it. Then he went to
the castle of Stanimac, which was at three leagues' distance, and
garrisoned by his people, and entered therein. And in this castle he
lay besieged for a long while, some thirteen months, in great distress
and great poverty, so that for famine they ate their horses. He was
distant a nine
106
days' journey from Constantinople, and could neither obtain tidings
therefrom, nor send tidings thither.
Then did Johannizza send his host before Philippopolis; nor had he
been there long before those who were in the city surrendered it to
him, and he promised to spare their lives. And after he had promised
to spare their lives, he first caused the archbishop of the city to be
slain, and the men of rank to be flayed alive, and certain others to
be burned, and certain others to have their heads cut off, and the
rest he caused to be driven away in chains.
Pages:
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167