And those who were in these cities maintained the war against
the Greeks,
107
and made many forays. Henry himself returned to Constantinople with
the rest of his men.
Now Johannizza, the King of Wallachia and Bulgaria, though rich and of
great possessions, never forgat his own interests, but raised a great
force of Comans and Wallachians. And when it came to three weeks after
Christmas, he sent these men into the land of Roumania to help those
at Adrianople and Demotica; and the latter, being now in force, grew
bolder and rode abroad with the greater assurance.
DEFEAT OF THE FRANKS NEAR RUSIUM
Thierri of Tenremonde, who was chief and constable, made a foray on
the fourth day before the feast of St. Mary Candlemas (30th January
1206); and he rode all night, having six score knights with him, and
left Rusium with but a small garrison. When it was dawn, he came to a
village where the Comans and Wallachians were encamped, and surprised
them in such sort that those who were in the village were unaware of
their coming. They killed a good many of the Comans and Wallachians,
and captured some forty of their horses; and when they had done this
execution, they turned back towards Rusium.
And on that very night the Comans and Wallachians had ridden forth to
do us hurt; and there were some seven thousand of them. They came in
the morning before Rusium, and were there a lono, space; and the
garrison, which was but small, closed the gates, and mounted the
walls; and the Comans and Wallachians turned back.
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