" And when Johannizza heard this, he laid siege to Demotica,
and erected round it sixteen large petraries, and began to construct
engines of every kind for the siege, and to waste all the country
round.
Then did those in Adrianople and Demotica take messengers, and send
them to Constantinople, to Henry, the Regent of the empire, and to
Vemas, and prayed them, for God's sake, to rescue Demotica, which was
being besieged. And when those at Constantinople heard these tidings,
they decided to succour Demotica. But some there were who did not dare
to advise that our people should issue from Constantinople, and so
place in jeopardy the few Christian folk that remained. Nevertheless,
in the end, as you have heard, it was decided to issue forth, and move
on Selymbria.
The cardinal, who was there as legate on the part of the Pope of Rome,
preached thereon to the people, and promised a full indulgence to all
such as should go forth, and lose their lives on the way. So Henry
issued from Constantinople with as many men as he could collect, and
marched to the city of Selyrnbria; and he encamped before the city for
full eight days. And from day to day came messengers from Adrianople
praying him to have mercy upon them, and come to their relief, for if
he did not come to their relief, they were but lost.
THE CRUSADERS MARCH TO THE RELIEF OF DEMOTICA
Then did Henry take council with his barons, and their decision was
that they would go to the city of Bizve, which was a fair city, and
strong.
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