So he caused it to be
destroyed and rased to the ground. Then he marched to the city of
Tzurulum, which had already surrendered to him, and caused it to be
destroyed and rased to the ground, and the people to be led away
captive. And thus he dealt with every castle and city that
surrendered; even though he had promised them safety, he caused the
buildings to be destroyed, and the men and women to be led away
captive; and no covenant that he made did he ever keep.
Then the Comans and Wallachians scoured the land up to the gates of
Constantinople, where Henry the Regent then was, with as many men as
he could command; and very dolorous was he and very wroth, because he
could not get men enough to defend his land. So the Comans seized the
cattle off the land, and took captive men, women, and children, and
destroyed the cities and castles, and caused such ruin and desolation
that never has man heard tell of greater.
So they came to a city called Athyra, which was twelve leagues from
Constantinople, and had been given to Payen of Orl?ans by Henry, the
emperor's brother. This city held a very great number of people, for
the dwellers in the country round about had fled thither; and the
Comans assaulted it, and took it by force. There the slaughter was so
great, that there had been none such in any city where they had been.
And you must know that all the castles and all the cities that
surrendered to Johannizza under promise of safety were destroyed and
rased to the ground, and the people led away captive to Wallachia in
such manner as you have heard.
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