Certainty: 3 Tancred went to Antioch to replace Bohemond, provisionally leaving his southern fiefs. Before a second meeting with Baldwin I over Haifa, he was invited to rule Antioch as Bohemond's regent and heir. He accepted, but still met Baldwin. He returned Tiberias to him as well as Haifa, on condition he would recover them if he returned within fifteen months. On this basis, Baldwin granted Tiberias to Hugh of Fauquembergues (of Saint-Omer) and Haifa to Galdemar Carpinel. Having made his peace with Baldwin, Tancred went north with considerable forces to take over Antioch
Certainty: 3 Increasing quarrel between Baldwin I & the patriarch Daimbert over Tancred. Soon after Tancred left for Antioch, Baldwin accused the patriarch Daimbert of treachery in collusion with Tancred against him, to have Bohemond organise the succession to Godfrey of Bouillon by disregarding Godfrey's wishes. Daimbert had made this suggestion in a letter to Bohemond sent via his secretary Morellus, which was opened by Raymond of Saint-Gilles at Laodikeia, as delivery to Bohemond was by then impossible. Baldwin's quarrel with Daimbert over this act of treachery grew more and more acute, and eventually he appealed to pope Paschal II for judgement and justice against the patriarch
Certainty: 0 Theophylaktos sent his brother in mid-winter with a message to Petros the chartophylax. Theophylaktos of Ohrid was being forced to abandon the village of Ekklesiai, though it was church property. He sent his brother (probably Demetrios) to deliver a letter to Petros the chartophylax in mid-winter (an index of desperation), requesting his assistance in the matter
Certainty: 3 Journey of (mainly Lombard) crusaders of 1101 to Constantinople. A group of crusaders, mainly from Lombardy, set out to reinforce the crusader states. Its leaders were Anselm, archbishop of Milan, Albert of Biandrate and his brother Guido, Hugo of Montbeel, Otto Altaspata and Guibert of Parma. They went via Hungary to Bulgaria, and were welcomed by the men of Alexios I, provided they avoided violence. The following towns were allotted to them as open markets: Roussa, Panidos, Rodosto, Dimotica and Athyra, together with Selymbria, Adrianople and Philippopolis. But the leaders failed to prevent their men from stealing meat, eating it during Lent, defacing chapels and even mutilating women. When Alexios heard of this, he ordered the army to come immediately to the capital
Certainty: 3 Cardinal Mauricius sent by Paschal II to examine Daimbert controversy. Pope Paschal II received an appeal from Baldwin I about the treachery of the patriarch Daimbert against him. Paschal appointed Mauricius, one of the twelve cardinals, as papal legate to go to Jerusalem and investigate, and then to take appropriate action by reconsecrating Daimbert or deposing him. Mauricius arrived in Jerusalem, and after blessings and greetings convened a council, at which Baldwin charged Daimbert with perjury, treachery and murder (a possibility if his letter had succeeded), and also of cutting up the True Cross. At Easter, Mauricius excluded Daimbert from the ceremony of sanctification of oil and chrism usually performed by the patriarch, and prepared to do it himself. Daimbert first begged Baldwin to let him perform the ceremony, then successfully bribed him, as he was short of money. Baldwin persuaded Mauricius to agree. After this there developed a growing friendship between Daimbert and Mauricius, of which Baldwin was ignorant
Certainty: 3 Delimitation of 24 Iveron properties (in Chalkidike). Sgouros, the logariastes of the estates of the sebastokrator Isaakios, signed the delimitation of 24 properties belonging to Iveron, confiscating, however, one of their estates
Certainty: 3 Aid demanded by Muslim coastal cities from Egypt: it came only in September. The caliph and/or vizier of Egypt received pleas for help against the crusaders from Muslim coastal cities, which had sent gifts to Baldwin I and threatened to submit to him. He offered encouragement and planned an expedition, but nothing would happen till September
Certainty: 2 Tancred at Antioch: dismissal of Baldwin of Bourq & military expansion. Tancred would only rule Antioch during Bohemond's captivity, and so he felt a need to make an immediate impact. He cut ties with Baldwin of Bourq, who had risen to the command of the garrison of Antioch under Bohemond, and now had new duties as prince of Edessa. These had made him restive and resent Tancred's authority. Tancred also made a quick campaign to recover the Cilician cities, Mopsuestia, Adana and Tarsos. These had been under Bohemond's control, but he had carelessly lost them to the Byzantines
Certainty: 3 Ransoms accepted from Damascus for those captured on Baldwin's march south to Jerusalem. Baldwin received repeated offers from Damascus of ransoms for the prisoners he had taken at Beirut and now held in Jerusalem. Eventually, as money was short, he let them all free after the payment of a huge sum of money
Certainty: 3 Disorderly gathering of Lombard crusaders at Constantinople, camping by Bosporos. At the insistance of Alexios I, Anselm, archbishop of Milan, Albert of Biandrate and the other leaders of the Lombard crusade led their unruly band quickly to Constantinople, where they camped on the shore of the Bosporos for two months. They would not move on because they were waiting for French or German contingents, but continued to inflict criminal injuries on the local Byzantine population. Alexios tried to get them across to Civetot or Rouphinanai, but in vain. When he cancelled their food, they attacked the palace (Blachernai?), killing a young imperial kinsman and a pet lion. Anselm, Albert and Hugo of Montbeel intervened in the rioting by the Lombards which had led to the attack on Blachernai, and stopped it, coaxing the people back to their tents; then the leaders visited Alexios himself to calm him. They pleaded eloquently that the leaders were innocent, as the riot had been caused by troublemakers. Alexios stressed that damage had been regular and consistent, but finally was persuaded to forgive them. He bribed the Lombard leaders with gifts to cross the Bosporos, succeeding with Albert, who received 10 horses, but failing with Anselm, who feared that once crossed they would be betrayed to the Turks. Food and peace were restored
Certainty: 2 Baldwin I treated noble Arab woman well as she gave birth. Baldwin I attacked Arabs across the Jordan, capturing a number of wives, children, and all their goods. One pregnant woman, wife of a distinguished chieftain, went into labour, but Baldwin treated her well. He left with her a bed, food, water, camels for milk and a maid, wrapping her in his own cloak. When her husband found her, he was astounded, and vowed to help Baldwin - as later he did
Certainty: 3 Lombard crusaders coaxed across the Bosporos with the aid of Raymond of Toulouse. Alexios I was trying to persuade the Lombard crusaders to cross the Bosporos. Albert of Biandrate accepted the emperor's gifts, ten horses and other precious things and crossed, while Anselm of Milan was more cautious, fearing that if they crossed they would be betrayed to the Turks. But at least food and peace were restored for all. A key role was played by Raymond of Toulouse, who reconciled the Lombard leaders to Alexios I, whose advisor he had become. By a few days after Easter all had crossed the strait and gone on to Nikomedeia
Certainty: 3 Capture of Arsuf, with the aid of Genoese (& Pisan?) fleets. Baldwin I received at Easter Genoese and Pisan fleets (those which had brought brought Daimbert to the east). The holy fire did not occur in Jerusalem. After negotiating a reward for the Italians, all went together to attack Arsuf, and its people, realising that defence was impossible, surrendered after two days. The emir of Arsuf and its citizens were granted their lives and permitted to take to Askalon all they could carry. Baldwin was delighted at capturing the town without casualties, and spent a week there, making plans
Certainty: 3 Lombard crusaders left Nikomedeia towards Neokaisareia. Just before Whitsun, Alexios I was asked by the crusaders for a leader, and he gave them Raymond of Toulouse, with Tzitas and 500 Turcopole troops, to give them good advice and restrain them from their wilder ideas: they first disagreed over the route. Raymond and Stephen of Blois wanted to follow the route of the First Crusade, but the Lombards used their numerical superiority to impose a rescue mission for their hero Bohemond, directly to his prison in Neokaisareia, or by going direct to Khorasan and attacking Baghdad (?)
Certainty: 3 Nivernais crusaders arrived at Constantinople & tried to overtake Lombards. William, count of Nevers, travelled by sea to Brindisi, crossed to Avlon, then marched to Thessalonike. He kept firm discipline in his army, so as not to provoke the Byzantines, as the Lombards had done. He was welcomed by Alexios I and allowed to camp outside Constantinople. His army crossed the straits and camped for a fortnight in late June under a marble column with a gilded ram, visiting Alexios and receiving small change for the men; they then went on to Kibotos
Certainty: 3 Sack of Caesarea by Baldwin I, without intervention from Egypt. After consultation, Baldwin I sent an ultimatum to Caesarea: the city should surrender, or expect to be sacked. The people of Caesarea were expecting intervention from the ruler of Egypt, and so responded defiantly. Baldwin attacked at once, destroying the orchards outside the city and using a siege-tower to capture the walls. He was helped by the Genoese and Pisan fleets which had brought the patriarch Daimbert. Daimbert himself led the men to the walls carrying the true cross. Inside the walls was an internal rampart which delayed Baldwin. However this was overcome, and the town was sacked. The entire male population was slaughtered, the females were captured and bought and sold among the attackers. The amir and quadi of Caesarea were spared: the quadi was investigated for having buried a large sum of silver, and was eventually ransomed unharmed with a large sum from Acre. Baldwin remained in the area for two weeks, enjoying plentiful supplies. Then he went to Jaffa and the plain between Askalon and Ramla, on rumours of the arrival of an Egyptian invasion. But it did not materialise, and after three weeks he sent his men home. In his absence, Eudes Arpin of Bourges became the secular lord of Caesarea, while Baldwin was its archbishop
Certainty: 3 Lombard crusaders captured Ankara, slaughtered the Turkish garrison & restored it to Byzantium. Under the leadership of Raymond of Toulouse and with plenty of supplies, the Lombards in three weeks crossed to Kibotos, then traversed difficult mountains to Ankyra, which they stormed, slaughtering all the Turks they captured. They duly handed over the town to the representatives of Alexios I. Soon after hey reached a Christian town, where priests came out to welcome them; but they killed not only the priests but the whole population of the town and moved on towards Amaseia. However they failed to take Gangra
Certainty: 3 Bitter quarrel between Baldwin I & the patriarch Daimbert over cost of the army. When Baldwin I dismissed his men after a fruitless wait for an Egyptian invasion, some asked him for arrears of pay, in some cases going back to the time of Godfrey of Bouillon. Daimbert the patriarch meanwhile returned to feasting with the papal legate Mauricius, dividing the offerings of the faithful between them. Baldwin asked Daimbert to share with him some of the revenues at the Holy Sepulchre, which was reliant on the protection of his troops; Daimbert gave him a small sum. In discussing the problem with others, especially the chancellor Arnulf, he learned that he had been fooled. Daimbert had given him a little money which was not his own, while in fact he had stolen far larger sums for himself. The king therefore increased peressure on Daimbert to pay for mercenaries, telling him that Jerusalem had to be defended, not only with offerings, but with all the church's gold, to be replaced in happier times. Daimbert, advised by Mauricius, offered to maintain 30 soldiers, but later refused to pay. During this argument the envoy of Roger Borsa of Sicily testified that he had brought money from Roger to be divided into three: for services in the Holy Sepulchre, for the Hospital, and for the troops. Daimbert had kept it all, and could not refute the testimony. Baldwin then stripped Daimbert of his powers as patriarch, and arrested his assistants, who showed him Daimbert's huge buried storehouses of gold and silver. Daimbert withdrew to Jaffa, then to Tancred in Antioch. Baldwin used the money to pay the troops
Certainty: 1 Byzantine expansion on the Syrian coast disputed by Tancred. Alexios I instructed Raymond of Toulouse to hand over Laodikeia to Andronikos Tzintziloukes, and Maraqiyya and Balaneos to the men of Eumathios Philokales from Cyprus. Raymond should then go on to subdue other local fortifications, as best he could. The instructions were carried out. But Tancred [probably on his own initiative as regent in Antioch, not on Bohemond's instructions, as he had been imprisoned] besieged Laodikeia. He began by trying to provoke the Byzantine defenders to a battle, then settled down to a long siege, in which he showed extreme determination
Certainty: 3 Lombard crusaders marched over difficult terrain under constant Turkish pressure. Raymond of Toulouse, in the van of the crusader army, was bought off by many unnamed towns and castles, with provisions and other gifts. Thus he led the crusade into deserts and wildernesses, where the Turks slaughtered all who separated from the main body. The role of the rearguard was also crucial. Stephen of Blois was much more efficient than the Lombards at this duty against Turkish attacks in the wilds of Anatolia: not a single crusader was killed on the day of his watch, while the Lombard cavalry abandoned a large group of laggards to their fate. Raymond of Toulouse's turn at rearguard duty saw a very determined Turkish attack, which was only beaten off by heavy reinforcements from the main body. This led to a decision to keep the army as close together as possible. The crusaders under Raymond's guidance began to starve and lose foragers to the Turks, especially his Provencals. A large group was surrounded near Kastamon and burned alive, leading to more demands to keep together. Then, when they were tired after crossing the high Paphlagonian passes, they met the main Turkish army. They were attacked by Danishmend Gazi, Kilic Arslan I, Karageth, Ridwan of Aleppo and Turks from Paphlagonia and Antioch. But after the first surprise, they beat them off with losses. The next day, the constable Conrad and his nephew Bruno attacked a fortress on the road to Mersivan, stormed it, and found vital supplies; but laden with these they were ambushed on the way back, losing their booty and many men
Certainty: 3 Muster roll of army of Lombard crusade for battle near Mersivan. Near Mersivan, two days after the defeat of Conrad the constable, Anselm the archbishop of Milan foretold a great battle and preached a sermon, giving absolution and indugence to all, in the name of the holy relics they had with them. The army prepared for this crisis in five divisions. The first consisted of Stephen, count of Burgundy and his men. The second was Raymond of Toulouse with his Provençal and Byzantine troops. Conrad, constable of the western emperor Henry III, led all the German troops, making up the third division. Engelrand, bishop of Laon, Milo of Bray, Guy of Rochefort (with the red hair), Hugh Bardolf of Broyes and Walbert, castellan of Laon led the combined French troops in the fourth division. The fifth division was the Lombard crusaders, who were most numerous, and fought in the van. Their leaders were Anselm of Milan, Albert of Biandrate and his brother Guido and nephew Otto Altaspata, Hugo of Montbeel and Albert (Guibert), count of Parma
Certainty: 3 All the divisions of the Lombard crusade defeated by the Turks near Mersivan. When battle was joined by the crusaders at Mersivan, the first division to dominate the fighting were the Lombards. But after a long, hard struggle their hungry horses were exhausted and they were beaten; Albert of Biandrate, who held their standard, was forced to flee. Conrad the constable then took up the main weight of the battle, but after a long struggle his Germans too succumbed to the unremitting hail of missiles. Next came Stephen of Burgundy, who also fought long and well, but was compelled to flee. Stephen of Blois tried to help his comrades, but by the evening he was unable to continue and fled, leaving Baldwin of Grandpré, Dodo of Clermont and Walbert castellan of Laon dead on the battlefield. Finally Raymond of Toulouse and the emperor's men made a destructive attack; but the pressure of Turkish numbers made the Byzantine troops flee, while most of his Provençals were killed. After the battle Stephen of Blois checked on the survival of the crusader leaders, and discovered that Raymond had escaped to climb a rock, where he was holding out with ten men against heavy odds. Stephen and Conrad gathered troops and saved him
Certainty: 3 Leaders of the Lombard crusade, hotly pursued, escaped to the coast & Constantinople. After escaping from the rock, Raymond of Toulouse gathered the Byzantine troops and his own and told the Lombards of the route to the Byzantine castle of Pauraë. He was the first to flee, setting an example to other crusader leaders, who abandoned their women, infantry and baggage. The exhausted Turks were amazed at the booty. The flight Raymond began left countless thousands to be massacred by the Turks, in the camp or fleeing without horses. There were many women, the young going to eastern slave-markets, the old being butchered; the money and precious objects were incalculable. Many of the leaders escaped the massacre by fleeing on horseback through the mountains via Sinope to Constantinople. They included Anselm of Milan, Stephen count of Burgundy, Stephen of Blois, Conrad the constable, Engelrand of Laon, Hugh of Pierrefonds bishop of Soissons, Guy of Rochefort (with the red hair) and Hugh Bardolf of Broyes. The Turkish leaders, Danishmend Gazi, Kilic Arslan I and Balas of Saruj, pursued the survivors almost to Sinope, and then killed even more stragglers on the return. Christian casualties included Arnulf son of Uillicus, the knight Dodo, Engelrand and Erald of Chalons and Gaucher of Chatillon. Alexios I welcomed to the capital the survivors of Mersivan, but at first was displeased with Raymond of Toulouse, because he had fled first, separately from Stephen of Burgundy and Conrad the constable; Raymond explained that he feared anger against him from some of the crusaders, as Alexios was blamed for the defeat. Anselm of Milan died in Constantinople. Later, Alexios I was sympathetic and generous to all the surviving leaders, entertaining them for the autumn and winter, and giving presents to those who had lost everything. He then sent them on, at their request, towards Jerusalem
Certainty: 3 Nivernais crusaders, having failed to take Ikonion, were massacred at Herakleia. William of Nevers and his army chose the way recently followed by Raymond of Toulouse and the Lombards, finding Ankyra sacked, but failing to catch up. They then turned off towards Ikonion, waiting for news of their predecessors. Before they reached Ikonion they met the victorious Kilic Arslan I and Danishmend Gazi coming from their bloody victory of Mersivan. The first Turkish attacks were beaten off, but with losses, like the Lombard count Henry. The Christians and their horses were still strong, having enough water. But their attack on Ikonion was unsuccessful, and they were forced to move on to Herakleia, which was empty of inhabitants and had no water. Kilic Arslan I and Danishmend Gazi realised that the Nivernais were weak from thirst and began to massacre them. Most of the army were killed and many females and huge quantities of booty fell into Turkish hands. William escaped with his brother Robert and William his standard-bearer, who was the first to flee. They were pursued to Germanikopolis
Certainty: 3 First battle of Ramla, day 1: Baldwin I was victorious, but with heavy losses. When the long-rumoured invasion force arrived at Askalon from Egypt, Baldwin I discovered that it was enormous, and was terrified like all with him. Though he had denuded his garrisons and promoted many squires to make an army, the Christians were greatly outnumbered. But he could not avoid fighting, so he drew up his army in five (or six?) divisions. The leader of the first, Bervold the knight, was killed at once, like all his men but one, who lost a hand. The second division under Galdemar Carpinel tried to rescue them, but Galdemar was killed and only the knights William and Erkengold escaped alive. In his third division, Hugh of Tiberias galloped through the enemy, fighting hard, but escaped as its only survivor. At this point bishop Gerard (with the True Cross) and Baldwin archbishop of Caesarea urged the king to make peace with Daimbert the patriarch, but he refused, till Daimbert was duly cleared. His fourth division charged desperately, but it wavered and was saved by Baldwin himself, as was the fifth, which repeatedly returned to the fray. Two amirs attacked the true cross: The first choked, the second was killed by Baldwin. Even the enemy commander-in-chief died with the rest. Baldwin and the Christian army fought all day, despite losses, and when fighting stopped at nightfall they held the field. The next day, with the enemy survivors gone, he led his army towards Jaffa, only to meet more Egyptian troops, who had crushed their immediate opponents in the battle and gone to plunder around Jaffa, causing dismay to the Franks there. Though tired and reduced by losses, the Christians charged these fresh enemies. Again the True Cross and the example of Baldwin won the day: the people of Jaffa had to help carry the booty, which was too much for Baldwin's small, exhausted army. Baldwin's wife, who was waiting in Jaffa, had heard from the Egyptian plunderers that the battle was lost, and so sent an urgent message to Tancred in Antioch for help. Baldwin next day cancelled the request, to Tancred's great relief
Certainty: 3 First battle of Ramla, day 2: Baldwin I had to defeat a second Egyptian army. The next day, with the enemy survivors gone, Baldwin I led his army towards Jaffa, only to meet more Egyptian troops, who had crushed their immediate opponents in the battle the day before and gone to plunder around Jaffa, causing dismay to the Franks there. Though tired and reduced by losses, the Christians charged these fresh enemies. Again the True Cross and the example of Baldwin won the day: the people of Jaffa had to help carry the booty, which was too much for Baldwin's small, exhausted army. Baldwin's wife, who was waiting in Jaffa, had heard from the Egyptian plunderers that the battle was lost, and so sent an urgent message to Tancred in Antioch for help. Baldwin next day cancelled the request, to Tancred's great relief
Certainty: 3 Crusaders from Aquitaine & Bavaria were also massacred by a river near Herakleia. William, Duke of Aquitaine, Welf of Bavaria, Ida of Cham and (probably) Hugh of Vermandois set off to Ikonion, where they finished their supplies and hunger and thirst set in, for the Turks burned the harvest and blocked the wells. In return for this the crusaders destroyed Philomelion and Salimia. In great thirst they went on to a river at Herakleia, where Gumushtegin Ghazi Danishmend, Kilic Arslan I, Katatyx and Agymith were ready for them. They were butchered on the river banks or hiding in nearby fields. Few males survived; many females were sold into slavery, perhaps including Ida of Cham
Certainty: 3 Remnants of the Lombard crusade welcomed back to Constantinople by Alexios I.
Certainty: 3 William of Aquitaine reached Bernard l'Etranger in Cilicia. William of Aquitaine fled from the massacre of his army at the river near Herakleia with his squire, crossed the mountains and arrived at Longinias near Tarsos, where Bernard L'Etranger ruled. He was then discovered and honoured by Tancred, who brought him to Antioch and gave him clothes and food
Certainty: 3 Few survivors of the crusaders of 1101 reached Tancred at Antioch. Besides William of Aquitaine, William of Nevers arrived at Germanikopolis after losing most of his army killed or taken captive, and most of his possessions. With his remaining cash he hired Byzantine mercenaries from Germanikopolis as guides to Antioch. But the men stole the little they had and sent them to Antioch on foot. He was welcomed there by Tancred, who mourned with him for the loss of his army and gave him fine clothes and horses to replace those stolen from him. He also had food and rest, to gather survivors and continue his pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Welf of Bavaria too escaped from the massacre with difficulty over the mountains by discarding all his armour and weapons. Stephen, count of Burgundy, also arrived. The company of William, bishop of Auvergne, had to abandon their horses: a few of them were saved. Hugh of Vermandois was reported to have survived luckily and reached Cilicia, but died in Tarsos and was buried there in the church of St Paul
Certainty: 2 Gumushtegin Ghazi captured Melitene. Gumushtegin Ghazi captured Melitene from Gabriel and the Byzantines
Certainty: 3 Dispute over properties between Iveron & Konstantinos Bourtzes. The dispute over properties between the monastery of Iveron and Konstantinos Bourtzes produced claims and counter-claims. By his second exchange of properties with Iveron, Bourtzes got back the metochion of Hagios Nikolaos in exchange for 9056 modioi of land at Melitziane and Parabitza, 1000 modioi at Bromosyrta, and the proasteion of Leontia. The monks claimed that although they had handed back Hagios Nikolaos, they had not received the land offered in compensation. This was disputed by Bourtzes. Further points of contention were discussed in a decree sealed in wax issued by Alexios I: whether the exchange had been forced on Iveron (Alexios said that only the hegoumenos and oikonomos had protested while signing the agreement), and the status of land granted to Iveron by Nikephoros Kontostephanos (Alexios ordered a reassessment by Ioannes, son of the debastokrator Isaakios, who should produce a praktikon). It was also disputed whether property belonging to Ioannes the sebastos, brother of Eirene Doukaina, but transferred to Iveron had actually been used by the monks (Ioannes should report and compensate the parties accordingly). Unfortunately Alexios failed to satisfy Bourtzes, who continued to harass the monks and pester the imperial authorities
Certainty: 3 Decree of Alexios I concerning dispute between Iveron & Konstantinos Bourtzes. This document seems to describe the same status quo as that reflected in that of the previous month, without reflecting all the changes made there. We learn the names of more properties (perhaps those involved in a first exchange), more details of the activities of Nikephoros Kontostephanos, and the fact that the objections of the hegoumenos and oikonomos of Iveron had been written in Georgian
Certainty: 1 Arsenikeia (Chalkidike) confiscated & then granted back to Iveron. Sgouros, proedros and the logariastes of estates of the sebastokrator Isaakios marked a large plane tree on the edge of a disputed field at the proasteion of Arsenikeia, whilst confiscating the proasteion from Iveron and assigning it to Leon Mitzikalites, pronoetes of the episkepsis of Rabenikeia and Hierissos. Isaakios Komnenos returned the proasteion to the monks
Certainty: 0 Theophylaktos praised Nikolaos Grammatikos as a sensitive father, while complaining of tax-collectors. Theophylaktos of Ohrid wrote a long letter to the patriarch Nikolaos Grammatikos, complaining of the problems he faced with tax-collectors. He praised Nikolaos as a sensitive father to the church
Certainty: 0 Theophylaktos thanked Nikolaos III Grammatikos for a gift of incense, suggesting symbolic meanings. The patriarch Nikolaos Grammatikos sent Theophylaktos of Ohrid a letter, with a gift of 24 sticks of incense and 4 sticks of aromatic wood (cinnamon?). Thephylaktos thanked him in reply, then speculated on the allegorical significance of the gift
Certainty: 0 Theophylaktos expected Gregorios Pakourianos to rein in the tax officials of the fisc. Theophylaktos of Ohrid no longer lamented his exile, since he had a listener like Pakourianos. He expected him to mitigate the problems resulting from the tax officials of the fisc
Certainty: 0 Theophylaktos of Ohrid wrote to the bishop of Semna about the evil of tax-collectors. Theophylaktos of Ohrid wrote to the bishop of Semna, asking him to pray for him, because they shared the evil problem of tax-collectors
Certainty: 0 Theophylaktos sent thanks for the successful intervention on his behalf by Georgios Palaiologos. Georgios Palaiologos had intervened on behalf of Theophylaktos, archbishop of Ohrid, restraining some tax-collectors in connection with a property. Theophylaktos, enjoying some respite from these struggles, sent a grateful letter to thank him and encourage him to persist in the help
Certainty: 3 Remnants of various defeated armies of 1101 set out from Antioch to Jerusalem. After the disasters of 1101, survivors from several of the armies which had been destroyed gathered in Antioch, enjoying the hospitality of Tancred. They prepared to set out southwards to fulfill their crusading vows in Jerusalem. They included Albert of Biandrate, Conrad the constable, Engelrand of Laon, Manasses of Barcelona, Rainald of Burgundy, Stephen of Blois, Stephen of Burgundy, Welf of Bavaria, William of Aquitaine and William of Nevers. There were also some Italian bishops. Raymond of Toulouse, who arrived by ship from Constantinople, was immediately imprisoned for his conduct of the previous year, but later released when he swore not to make conquests in the area, though his property remained confiscated. Most of the crusaders besieged and captured Tortosa, which they gave to Raymond, who remained behind to defend it, despite the pleas of the others. Meanwhile Rainald and Welf had gone on ahead, ignoring Tortosa: Rainald became sick and died, while Welf completed his pilgrimage but became sick on the way home and died in Cyprus. Raymond defeated by a trick and ambush a determined attempt on Tortosa by Tughtakin of Damascus
Certainty: 3 Crusaders moved south, & most of them besieged & captured Tortosa. The survivors of the crusade of 1101 set out for Jerusalem from Antioch. For most of them the first event of the journey was an attack on Tortosa, particularly Raymond of Toulouse, Stephen, count of Chartres and Blois, Stephen, count of Burgundy, William of Poitou, duke of Aquitaine and William, count of Nevers. They captured Tortosa, massacring the population. Raymond was left to rule the town, while the rest left for Jerusalem. Raymond was expected to be the guide of the surviving crusaders on the road to Jerusalem, but he refused and stayed as ruler of Tortosa. As a result he was cursed by the others
Certainty: 3 Chrysobull of Alexios I authorizing purchase of 4 ships by Lavra. Theophylaktos II, the hegoumenos of Lavra on Athos, requested the help of Alexios I and was issued a chrysobull allowing Lavra to possess four ships free of all charges with a total tonnage of 6,000, instead of the seven ships of 16,000 measures for which the monastery previously enjoyed an exkousseia
Certainty: 3 Crusaders celebrated Easter in Jerusalem, then nearly all left. Baldwin I went north to the Dog River Pass to ensure safe passage for the crusaders William of Aquitaine, Stephen of Blois, Stephen of Burgundy, Geoffrey of Vendome and Hugh of Lusignan; after a joyful greeting, they went together to Jerusalem to celebrate Easter. Conrad the constable and Engelrand bishop of Laon were delayed, but arrived in Jerusalem in time for Easter. They all left soon after: except that Stephen of Blois and Stephen of Burgundy were driven back by contrary winds, and so became involved in the disastrous second battle of Ramla
Certainty: 3 Baldwin I, for crusaders of 1101, sent envoys to ask Alexios I to stop betraying crusaders. At the insistence of the crusaders of 1101, after Easter 1102, when they reached Jerusalem, Baldwin I sent a letter to Alexios I, with the bishops Gerard (of Schaffhausen?) and Manasses of Barcelona and the gift of two pet lions. He appealed gently to Alexios to stop betraying crusaders (as rumours - wrongly - said he had, with Raymond of Toulouse), to assist the church in Jerusalem, and to allow free trade. Alexios swore that he was innocent of the deaths of the Lombards, and promised to treat crusaders well and honour Baldwin. He also asked Manasses to absolve him to pope Paschal II from betraying the Lombards; in fact he did the opposite, denouncing him for that reason in the church at Benevento. Engilbert of Tournai, who was apparently part of the delegation, brought back to Jerusalem the good news that Alexios wanted to keep up good relations with Baldwin and with all crusaders, present and future. Albert of Aachen investigated the accusations against Raymond and the Byzantines, and found that they should not be blamed, because they had followed the dangerous route unwillingly
Certainty: 2 Determined attack on Tortosa by Tughtakin of Damascus foiled by a trick. The crusaders captured Tortosa and put it under the control of Raymond of Toulouse, who remained there to protect it. This posed a threat to Tughtakin of Damascus, who gathered a large army to recover it. Raymond had insufficient men to mount a conventional defence, so he hid his inferior forces in a corner of the castle and told the townspeople to say he had gone. Tughtakin accepted this explanation, camped outside the town and relaxed. Whereupon Raymond attacked his camp and massacred most of the Damascene troops
Certainty: 3 Muster roll of crusaders left in Jerusalem. The roll-call of those left in the Kingdom of Jerusalem after the departures following Easter: Albert of Biandrate, Baldwin I, Conrad the constable, Stephen of Blois, Stephen of Burgundy, Otto Altaspata, Eudes Arpin, Hugh of St Omer, Hugh of Lusignan, Baldwin of Heestert, Gotmann of Brussels, Rodulf of Aalst, Hugh Botuns, Hugh of Lusignan, Gerbod of Scheldewindeke and Roger of Rozoy
Certainty: 2 Raymond of Toulouse made his first attack on Tripoli, seizing future site of Mt Pilgrim. Raymond of Toulouse made a first attack on Tripoli, seizing the top of the neighbouring hill (part of the Lebanon massif), where Mount Pilgrim would stand. This enabled him to control the water supply to the city, which ran down from Lebanon. He camped outside Tripoli and strained every muscle to capture it, but it did not surrender. He would later be diverted from his purpose by an attempt to save Laodikeia
Certainty: 3 Baldwin I after a reckless attack was lucky to survive the second Battle of Ramla. The first news Baldwin I had of another Egyptian invasion was when Robert, bishop of Lydda, rushed to Jerusalem to report it. Ramla had been attacked by a huge Egyptian army, Hagios Georgios nearby [at Lydda] had been investigated (maybe burned) and all the crops detroyed. Robert expected the Egyptians to attack Jerusalem. Baldwin and the nobles with him armed themselves, some visitors delayed by contrary winds needing to borrow horses, and rode to Ramla. There they immediately charged the enemy army, cutting through its ranks, only discovering at the last minute its huge size. The Franks were too few, and were beaten. Baldwin's first charge was defeated, with heavy losses; he with fifty men was let in the gate of Ramla. The heavy casualties included Geoffrey Jordan of Vendome, Ralph of Aalst, Gerbod of Scheldewindeke, Gerard of Avesnes, Stabelo the chamberlain, Hosto of Rivira, Hugh of Almaz, Hugh Botuns and Gerard Barson. Many others fled to Jaffa, including Ado of Quierzy, Lithard of Cambrai, Roger of Rozoy, Philip of Bouillon, Baldwin of Heestert, Walter of Berga and Hugh of Bourcq. Near Jaffa they met a force coming to help Baldwin, but when they heard of his defeat they turned back with the fugitives. Robert, bishop of Lydda, also escaped to Jaffa
Certainty: 3 Baldwin I, almost alone, escaped to the coast, to Arsuf then Jaffa. Baldwin made a desperate escape from Ramla on Gazela with his squire and Hugh of Brulis, but failed to get through the enemy to Jerusalem. All but three of those left in Ramla were killed or captured. For a time Baldwin was lost, struggling in the mountains, lightly wounded, but then he found his way to the coast, to Arsuf, where he slipped past the guards and was welcomed by Rorgus, lord of Haifa. He then sent messages for help to Edessa and Antioch. His Armenian wife was in Jaffa waiting for news and terrified by the spectacle of the severed head and legs of Gerbod of Scheldewindeke (who resembled Baldwin). For ten days Baldwin stayed quietly at Arsuf, but then embarked on an English pirate ship for Jaffa. [Anna Komnene seems to confuse this defeat with the great victory outside Askalon in 1099, making them happen one day after the other: a mass deportation of Westerners to Egypt gave Alexios I the chance to save them, sending Bardales. All were ransomed but Godfrey [sic], already ransomed by Baldwin - who was then sent to Edessa. A similar story is inserted by Anna to show Alexios (with Panoukomites as ambassador) using the saved western counts to counter Bohemond's propaganda in 1106-1107]
Certainty: 3 Baldwin I, besieged in Jaffa by the Egyptians, used a large fleet of pilgrims to drive them off. When Baldwin I arrived at Jaffa from Arsuf on the ship of the English pirate Godric, his survival seemed a miracle. With the help of a local messenger, he gathered all available troops at Jaffa, including those of Hugh of Tiberias, and won a victory just by showing his face, though his army was too small for pursuit. A considerable fleet of pilgrims arrived, led by Bernard Witarzh, Hadewerk of Westphalia, Hardin of England and Otto of Roges. They began by harrying the Muslim besiegers of Jaffa, helping Baldwin drive them away back to Askalon. They then shared with Baldwin and a relief party from Antioch and Edessa in a combined attack on Askalon, which won victories but failed to capture the city. When the crusading fleet left, it suffered badly from storms: some sank, others were put at the mercy of Muslim ports
Certainty: 3 Help from Antioch & Edessa (with Daimbert) arrived in response to Baldwin I's summons. Baldwin I's demand for emergency aid in May bore fruit in September with the arrival of Tancred and Baldwin of Bourcq, with William the Carpenter of Melun, William of Aquitaine (who was still at Antioch), and Daimbert, who wanted to be reinstated as patriarch; they used an inland route.
Certainty: 1 Theophylaktos accepted Gregorios Pakourianos' apology for his sins, & forgave them. Gregorios Pakourianos had apologised for his sins in a letter. Theophylaktos of Ohrid gave him absolution in a reply, thinking them of little consequence
Certainty: 3 Combined attack on Askalon defeated a strong Egyptian sally. Baldwin I decided to use Tancred, Baldwin of Bourcq and their party for an attack on Askalon. However, the visitors named as their price the reinstatement of Daimbert as patriarch. Baldwin reluctantly agreed, but stipulated that the case should later be examined by Robert of Paris, the papal legate sent by Paschal II to replace the deceased Mauricius. Tancred and the others accepted this stipulation. Baldwin and his allies besieged Askalon, winning several skirmishes, especially the defeat of a major sortie, which resulted in the death of the emir Mardepas. But the city was too strong, so he left it to celebrate a partial victory at Jaffa
Certainty: 3 Council held by papal legate condemned Daimbert to deposition & excommunication. Robert of Paris, cardinal bishop and papal legate, was appointed by Paschal II to replace the deceased Mauricius in the investigation and correction of unlawful acts in the Jerusalem church. He presided over a council in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre concerning Daimbert, who had been reinstated as patriarch at the insistence of the leaders of armies from Antioch and Edessa, with whom he had come to Jerusalem. The charges Robert heard against Daimbert included simony, the murder of Greek Christians on Kephalonia (by the Genoese on his orders), the betrayal of Baldwin I, and the embezzling and concealment by burying of the offerings of the faithful. The council included Baldwin bishop of Caesarea, Robert bishop of Lydda, Arnulf of Choques and other local clergy. From further afield there were Engelrand bishop of Laon, Aldo bishop of Piacenza, Roger bishop of Tarsos, Bartholomew bishop of Mamistra and other bishops. There were also the abbots of St Mary of the Latins, of the Valley of Jehosaphat, of Mt Tabor and other abbots. The council gave Daimbert a fair hearing, was satisfied by witnesses to his crimes, convicted him of rebellion and disobedience, and deposed and excommunicated him. This judgement was accepted even by Tancred, with whom Daimbert returned to Antioch. [This circumstantial account was given by Albert of Aachen: William of Tyre is briefer and gives more of the blame to the machinations of Arnulf of Choques, which made Daimbert's life intolerable]
Certainty: 3 Evremar of Choques appointed as patriarch to replace Daimbert. Evremar of Choques became patriarch in succession to Daimbert, on the advice of Robert the papal legate and the choice of clergy and people. He acted as a faithful assistant to Baldwin I against Saracens and other unbelievers
Certainty: 1 Theophylaktos thanked Adrianos Komnenos for Gregorios Pakourianos, but needed more help. Gregorios Pakourianos had achieved much in the affairs of Bulgaria, especially in defensing the people against rapacious tax-collectors. Theophylaktos of Ohrid esteemed his efforts highly, and lamented his subsequent departure in a letter sent to Adrianos Komnenos. Adrianos, he said should ontinue to care for Bulgaria
Certainty: 2 Baldwin of Bourcq married Morphia, & invested Joscelin of Courtenay with lands west of the Euphrates. Baldwin of Bourcq married Morphia, an Armenian wife, who brought him Armenian support and a huge dowry, which he badly needed. Then out of family solidarity he divided his lands, keeping those east of the Euphrates, as nearer the enemy, but giving those to the west, apart from Samosata, to his cousin Joscelin of Courtenay. Joscelin thus received cities of Kyrros and Tuluppa, and the fortresses of Tell Bashir, 'Ayn Tab, Ravendal and others; he ruled them well and in plenty
Certainty: 2 Raymond of Toulouse left Tripoli, vainly trying to save Laodikeia from Tancred. Raymond of Toulouse, after spending some months in single-minded determination to capture Tripoli, was diverted to make a quick journey to Laodikeia, which was under determined attack by Tancred. Raymond tried all possible means to persuade him to help the besieged Byzantines, and persuade Tancred to abandon the siege, but he was implacable. So Raymond returned unsuccessfully to his own siege of Tripoli
Certainty: 2 Donation to Lavra of Kalaphatou by its ailing hegoumenos Damianos. Damianos, the hegoumenos of Kalaphatou on Mt Athos, had grown weak and was no longer able to take care of his monastery. He therefore requested Iakobos, the hegoumenos of Lavra, to admit him, and donated to Lavra Kalaphatou with all its possessions, provided that he should receive a regular supply of food and be commemorated after his death. Kyrillos, a monk at Akindynou, drew up a document to this effect, and it was signed by Anastasios a monk at Stephanitze, Kosmas the protos of Athos, Nikephoros a monk at Zygos, Loukas a monk at Theotokos Strobilaia, David a monk at Kalykas, Gabriel a monk at Hagios Theodosios, Ioannikios a monk at Chromitisses, Kosmas a monk at Hagios Philippos, Ioasaph a monk at Skorpiou and the monks Loukas, Damianos and Dionysios
Certainty: 1 Death of Anna Dalassene. Anna Dalassene died on a November 1, a year before Isaakios Komnenos, who died on a February 29 (?)
Certainty: 2 Completion (likely date) by Albert of Aachen of his history of the First Crusade (books i-vi). Albert of Aachen, though prevented by various reasons from going on crusade, wanted so much to share the expedition that he decided to write its history. He began from the pilgrims' departure and ended the first part with successful military operations and the opening up of pilgrimage to Jerusalem. He gathered the information from the reports of eyewitnesses
Certainty: 2 Campaign under Gregorios Taronites against Turks in Pontos. Danishmend Gazi imposed taxes on the Greek cities of the Pontos between the Tanais and Lake Maiotis, and of Colchis up to the Phasis, of Lesser Armenia and Armenia proper. He grew rich but also unbearable, until Gregorios Taronites put an end to his exactions. Gregorios defeated the Turks and the Franks, put an end to the raids and tax-collecting of Danishmend, gained the respect of Bohemond, and was praised for his exploits in a letter from Theophylaktos of Ohrid. Danishmend promised to hand Bohemond over to Alexios I. Theophylaktos heard of the situation from Theodosios, one of Gregorios' subordinates. He exchanged letters with Gregorios, rejoicing that the latter would return to the capital but anxious for the fate of the Greek cities of Pontos
Certainty: 2 Tancred finally captured Laodikeia by ambushing the ambushers. Tancred's siege of Laodikeia began to cause real hunger inside the walls. The Byzantine commander, Andronikos Tzintiloukes, expected help to come from Cyprus, but it was very slow. Tancred endured many hit-and-run assaults by the defenders, who ambushed his men then rushed back into the city. He made a counter-ambush involving a huge tent where he concealed troops to stop the enemies' retreat. The trick was so successful that the hungry Byzantines surrendered on terms
Certainty: 3 Baldwin I besieged Acre for five weeks; it was saved by relief from the sea. After Easter Baldwin I with his full forces attacked Acre, without success. The siege lasted for five weeks, with mangonels and siege-towers, because of attacks on pilgrims made from Acre. Baldwin forced the start of negotiations for surrender, but reinforcements from other Muslim cities encouraged the defenders to break off the talks. Reinold, Baldwin's master of archers, killed many defenders with his crossbow but was finally crushed by a stone from a mangonel. Despite such heroism, Baldwin saw that the defence of Acre was too strong, and broke off the siege
Certainty: 3 Negotiations over the collection of a ransom for Bohemond. In a passage wrongly dated to 1104, Alexios I is said to have offered a huge sum to Danishmend Gazi to free Bohemond, whom he wished to neutralise: but the deal collapsed through friction between Danishmend and his nominal overlord, Kilic Arslan I. The latter, hearing of the size of the sum, demanded half the money, as Danishmend's ally, but was turned down. He began to ravage Danishmend's lands. But Bohemond heard from prison what Danishmend was suffering from Kilic Arslan, and persuaded Danishmend to get his revenge and gain crusader aid against his rival by accepting a smaller ransom from the crusaders than that offered by Alexios. The crusaders would be grateful and support him in attacking Kilic Arslan. After consultations, Danishmend agreed to accept a ransom for Bohemond. Kilic Arslan remained furious, asked other Turks for help, and vainly demanded that Danishmend entrap Bohemond. On the crusader side, the lead in collecting money was taken by Baldwin of Edessa and by Bernard the patriarch, who wanted to recompense Bohemond for his own freedom from prison (?). Tancred too did not lag behind, though he would lose power when Bohemond returned
Certainty: 3 The Parthenon inscriptions twice record the death on April 3 of Niketas, metropolitan of Athens. Niketas, metropolitan of Athens, is twice reported in the Parthenon inscriptions as havimg died on April 3 in this year
Certainty: 3 Bohemond was freed to resume rule, compensating Tancred & defiant towards Alexios I. Bargaining involving several parties reduced the sum required to ransom Bohemond, and the local Latins contibuted in various degrees to raising the money. Bohemond had sent letters everywhere to complete the ransom, and it was handed over at Melitene, where he was set free. He pledged a treaty of friendship with his captor Danishmend and returned to Antioch, where he was received with joy and honour. He thanked Tancred heartily for his administration of Antioch, where he had recently completed the siege and capture of Laodikeia. Bohemond gave Tancred a share of power in the city. [Ralph of Caen, perhaps closer to Tancred's thoughts, claims that he had given up Antioch with all the cities he had added to it, in return for two small towns for which he had to beg. Perhaps he had not contributd much to the ransom. Later Bohemond was to resign to him the whole of Antioch]. Alexios sent envoys accusing the newly freed Bohemond of breaking crusader oaths twice, over Antioch and Laodikeia. Bohemond replied via the same envoys that the crusaders had laboured and suffered for Antioch, and it should be theirs. Alexios and Tatikios had not carried out promises of help
Certainty: 3 Baldwin I was badly wounded in attacking Saracen raiders who appeared while he was hunting. Baldwin I, while hunting with ten comrades near Caesarea as relaxation from war, heard of a small Saracen raiding party active in the area. He and the hunting party, though they were not wearing armour, attacked them. But Baldwin was badly wounded by a lurking Saracen. Albert of Biandrate, his nephew Otto Altaspata and others of his comrades chased off the enemy. Then they wept and carried the wounded Baldwin back to Jerusalem, where the best doctors were brought in. There was widespread concern and lamentation
Certainty: 3 Agreement between Iveron & Konstantinos Bourtzes over disputed properties. Nikephoros Bryennios was requested by Alexios I to investigate the dispute between Konstantinos Bourtzes and Iveron. He summoned the two parties who presented their cases, Bourtzes challenging the land assessment and the monks demanding their land grant. Bourtzes complained that the proasteion of Chliaropotamon, which had been granted him in compensation for lands given up to the monastery, remained in the hands of the kaisar Nikephoros Melissenos. Bourtzes declared to Bryennios that he had no objection to the assessment and delimitation of the disputed land by Ioannes Komnenos other than the use of a longer measure which favoured the monks of Iveron, who were thus granted more land. On the other hand, the hegoumenos of Iveron and Michael, one of its monks, claimed that a large part of the land grant and the 5000 modioi had not been handed over to the monastery. Nikephoros Bryennios decided to investigate Bourtzes' complaint that a longer measure than usual had been used, but was spared that task when the parties resolved their differences amicably. He accepted the compromise reached and decided to request an imperial act for a local praktor to put Bourtzes in possession of Chliaropotamon. He also decided to ask Alexios I to set Ioannes Komnenos the task of producing a new praktikon, to reflect the new situation
Certainty: 2 Conspiracy of the Anemas brothers against Alexios I. On top of the external problems posed by Bohemond, there were also serious internal difficulties, especially the plot of the four Anemas brothers. It was masterminded by Michael Anemas, supported by Leon and two other brothers whose names are uncertain. There were also many other accomplices from among important strata of the army. These included Basileios Kourtikios, Georgios Basilakes, Konstantinos Exazenos Doukas, Nikephoros Exazenos Hyaleas and Niketas Kastamonites. The leader from the senate was Ioannes Solomon, who was forced to confess his role by threats from the sebastokrator Isaakios. There were also Xeros, the prefect of the city and (probably) a member of the Skleros family
Certainty: 2 Punishment of the Anemas brothers. The four Anemas brothers were detected through details provided by an informer, before taking action: they were arrested. Michael Anemas was condemned to blinding, while the other guilty men were to be stripped of their hair and beard, not with a razor but with pitch plaster. While they were still being paraded in triumph, an imperial decree was issued that Michael's eyes should not be removed. This was inspired by Anna Komnene, who had witnessed Michael's humiliation and asked her mother to intervene with the emperor to prevent the blinding. All the conspirators were deprived of their possessions and each exiled to a different place. The confiscated house of Ioannes Solomon was handed to Eirene Doukaina, but she immediately handed it back to his wife without touching anything
Certainty: 3 Delimitation of Iveron properties ordered by Alexios I. Following the end of the long-running property dispute between Konstantinos Bourtzes and Iveron, he decided to ask Alexios I to tell Ioannes Komnenos, son of the sebastokrator, to make a new praktikon reflecting the agreement reached, both sides renouncing further claims. Accordingly Alexios issued a decree which he signed in red ink and sealed with wax, ordering Ioannes to carry out the delimitation of the properties of Iveron and to place boundary marks
Certainty: 3 Egyptian attack on Jaffa stopped by a visit from a convalescing Baldwin I. News of Baldwin I's serious wound reached Egypt. The king of Egypt and Meraius (both vizier and caliph?) besieged Jaffa by sea, supported by the people of Askalon on land; during the siege two ships appeared carrying pilgrims, one galley and one dromon. The larger ship, an overloaded dromon, ran aground, but was defended by local Christians. The smaller galea ran by mistake into the middle of the enemy fleet and was surrounded, with the death of all on board and the capture of the cargo. Baldwin by this time was convalescent. He visited the siege of Jaffa just after the loss of the Christian ship. His appearance was enough to make the enemy fleet depart, pursued in vain by ships from Jaffa, and also to calm attacks from Askalon
Certainty: 2 Gregorios Taronites rebelled: exchange of letters with Alexios I. Greogorios Taronites was appointed doux of Trebizond in the twelfth indiction, but broke out in a long-planned rebellion. On his way to Trebizond he met Dabatenos, whom he was succeeding, and arrested him and imprisoned him in Tebenna, together with a number of other local dignitaries, including the nephew of Bakchenos. Later the prisoners at Tebenna overpowered their guards and obtained their freedom. In the meantime Alexios I started a correspondence with the rebel Gregorios, sometimes trying to recall him, sometimes advising him to stop his rebellion if he wanted to be pardoned and resume his old life, sometimes threatening him. But Gregorios, far from complying, sent long letters abusing senators, generals and even the imperial family
Certainty: 3 Iveron properties measured by Ioannes Komnenos. Ioannes Komnenos, son of the sebastokrator Isaakios, was sent to a new post in Larissa and received the decision of Nikephoros Bryennios to ask him for a new praktikon for Iveron, together with the imperial decree of Alexios I ordering him to produce the praktikon. Alexios' decree told him to stop on his way to Larissa in order to carry out a delimitation of the properties of Iveron, to place secure boundary marks, to issue an accurate praktikon and to hand it over to the monks. He measured the properties of Iveron, which he marked with boundary marks, made sure that he had used the right measure during his first assessment, inspected the properties within the kastron of Thessalonike, and handed them over to the monks. He carved a cross on a large plane tree to mark the boundary of their properties at the proasteion of Libysdos, and erected small earth mounds to mark relevant boundaries at the proasteion of Bolbos. He used both small earth mounds and stone marks (one of which bore an inscription with his name), to indicate their boundaries at Melitziane, Bouchabos and Parabitza
Certainty: 3 Praktikon of Radolibos (Iveron): the making of the praktikon. On the instructions of Alexios I, Ioannes Komnenos, son of the sebastokrator Isaakios, ordered Basileios Choirosphaktes, proedros and logariastes, and Nikolaos, grammatikos, to draw up the list of paroikoi of Radolibos. They established its delimitation in the presence of monks and witnesses from other villages. At first they faced problems because of a dispute with Siamalton and Zidomista, but they summoned Kyrillos, the pronooumenos of Zidomista, sending Basileios Ataleiotes, Michael Azarias and Nikephoros Chotolibenos: Kyrillos declared that there was no longer a dispute. Basileios and Nikolaos signed the praktikon and presented it to the monastery of Iveron with all its territories and buildings, after it was signed by eight named witnesses (all using a cross inscribed by Michael Azarias). The resultant list is given in another unit
Certainty: 3 Praktikon of Radolibos (Iveron): the list of paroikoi. The list contains just over 100 paroikoi in various categories (zeugaratos, boidatos, aktemon, geron etc.)
Certainty: 1 Dispute over pasture rights at property of Patmos on Leros. Niketas Katakalon, the doulos of Anna Komnene, issued a sigillion for the monastery of Christodoulos on Patmos concerning the pasture rights of the epoikoi of Kourounon over land belonging to the monastery at the proasteion of Parthenion, on Leros
Certainty: 0 Alexios I made educational innovations centring on the Orphanotropheion.
Certainty: 0 Theophylaktos asked his student Niketas ho tou Chalkedonos to deliver two letters for him. Theophylaktos of Ohrid accused Michael Doukas the protostrator of offences against canon law. He wrote a (lost) letter to him about the matter, and another lost letter to Theophylakt's old friend, Michael's mother Maria the protovestiaria, asking her help in dealing with the case. He asked his student Niketas ho tou Chalkedonos to deliver both letters as an act of piety to his teacher involving no danger
Certainty: 1 Theophylaktos wrote to Makrembolites, planning to see him at Prespa after recovering from illness. Although Theophylaktos of Ohrid was just recovering from illness, he decided to attend a synod at Prespa. He sent a messenger to make the necessary preparations, and with him a letter to the local strategos (?) Makrembolites, who was to facilitate his activities
Certainty: 0 Theophylaktos wrote to the ex-chartophylax Nikephoros, briefly because he was ill. Theophylaktos of Ohrid wrote a letter to the ex-chartophylax Nikephoros, asking for his prayers. He wrote briefly, because he was suffering from ill health
Certainty: 0 Theophylaktos wrote briefly to an unidentified correspondent, calling on his aid. Theophylaktos, archbishop of Ohrid, wrote a letter to an unidentified correspondent who was always ready in a good cause, and asked for his help
Certainty: 3 Praktikon for Iveron properties following end of dispute with Konstantinos Bourtzes. Ioannes Komnenos, the son of the sebastokrator Isaakios, established a praktikon in order to transfer properties and paroikoi to Iveron after the dispute with Konstantinos Bourtzes was resolved. He confirmed, signed, appended his (now lost) seal, and handed the document over to the monks. During some fourth indiction later in the century, a copy of the praktikon was taken by Basileios, bishop of Hierissos
Certainty: 2 Attack of Manuel Boutoumites on Cilicia. Alexios I had realised from the response of Bohemond that he had not changed (in captivity) and that the Byzantines would have to be active in keeping him out of their territory. He therefore sent a strong force to Cilicia under the command of Manuel Boutoumites, including some crack troops, Byzantine and Frankish, and two of his favourites, Bardas and Michael the pinkernes. These he had taken over as children and trained in military matters. The two young men were placed under Boutoumites' orders, but asked to write letters to Alexios commenting on the progress of the campaign. By the time Boutoumites had reached Attaleia, he had found that the two were not following his orders, leading to a danger of general mutiny. He therefore complained to Alexios, who realised the seriousness of the situation, and asked the two, together with other nobles under suspicion, to sail to Cyprus and put themselves under the orders of its doux, Konstantinos Katakalon Euphorbenos. But Bardas and Michael soon began to write letters full of complaints about their new commander too. Alexios was now afraid that their insubordination would infect the other doubtful persons he had sent to Cyprus, so he sent Kantakouzenos to Kyrenia to bring the two home, which he did. Boutoumites in the meantime had reached Cilicia, where the local Armenians had a truce with Tancred, so he by-passed them and captured Mar'ash with its surrounding towns and forts. When he departed from there to the capital, he left the half-caste Monastras in charge of an adequate garrison
Certainty: 2 Failed attempt of Byzantine naval commanders to negotiate with Bohemond. Landulf, with the other Byzantine naval commanders, met on Cyprus and agreed to make peace overtures to Bohemond; they sent Manuel Boutoumites to Laodikeia to treat with him. But Bohemond showed his old self (and Laodikeia was near starvation), dismissing Manuel with accusations of trying to burn the Frankish ships and threats of mutilation. Landulf received Boutoumites' report on Cyprus. The Byzantine admirals decided against further negotiations, and sailed quickly for Constantinople; but near Syke a terrible storm drove their ships on shore, half-wrecking them all, except those led by Tatikios
Certainty: 2 Competition to fortify Korykos. Bohemond later feared that Alexios I would fortify Korykos (once a strong city, now a ruin), and station a fleet there; thus he would both protect Cyprus and block the passage of potential Italian reinforcements for Bohemond by the coastal route round Asia Minor. Bohemond therefore decided to act first. However Alexios acted even sooner, sending Eustathios Kymineianos, whom he promoted from epi tou kanikleiou to megas droungarios of the fleet, to refortify the town and the nearby castle of Seleukia, six stades (miles) away. Eustathios did the work, then left Strategios Strabos in command of a fleet and garrisons for both places. Eustathios was praised and honoured by the emperor when he returned successfully
Certainty: 2 Failure of Byzantine navy to intercept a Genoese fleet before it reached Laodikeia. After the Korykos campaign [a year later according to Anna Komnene], Alexios heard of the approach of a Genoese fleet coming to aid the crusaders - which he judged would also damage Byzantium; so he sent Kantakouzenos by land and Landulf by sea to the Peloponnese to oppose them. Unfortunately a violent storm occurred, so that many of the ships became unseaworthy, and had to be beached and recaulked with pitch. When Kantakouzenos heard the Genoese had arrived, he suggested to Landulf that he take the 18 seaworthy ships and see if he could stop them passing Cape Malea, on Alexios I's instructions; if not, he should take refuge at Korone. Seeing the great size of the Genoese fleet, he at once sailed to Korone. With Landulf at Korone, Kantakouzenos took over the whole Byzantine fleet, and pursued the Genoese as fast as he could, but for all his efforts they reached Laodikeia before him
Certainty: 2 Death of Isaakios Komnenos, brother of Alexios I. The sebastokrator Isaakios Komnenos outlived his mother Anna Dalassene just over a year, became a monk and died. When his wife Eirene also died within a year after him, their numerous children were taken over by Alexios I. He arranged marriages for both females and males. Isaakios' death was mentioned in a letter from Theophylaktos of Ohrid to Nikephoros Melissenos, who suffered from ill health and was badly affected by the event. Theophylaktos, who also had enjoyed Isaakios' hospitality, consoled and encouraged Nikephoros with his letter, sent with a present of 500 fish
Certainty: 3 Raymond of Toulouse probably captured Jubail, aided by Pisan & Genoese fleets. Pisan and Genoese fleets wintered on the Syrian coast; in the spring, they attacked Jubail at sea while Raymond of Toulouse besieged it closely on land till it surrendered; it was put into Raymond's hands
Certainty: 2 Pisan & Genoese fleets aided Baldwin I to take Acre. Baldwin I then sent envoys to the Genoese and Pisan fleets asking for aid against Acre similar to that they had given Raymond against Jubail, and promising the Genoese a third of Acre's revenues, a church and a street. They agreed and after Easter an energetic siege began for some 20 days, leading to negotiations for surrender. The amir of Acre persuaded his people to seek terms from Baldwin. The king agreed they could leave with all their wealth, persuading his own men to forgo booty, and, with difficulty, the Italians too. The amir trusted Baldwin's assurances, the city was surrendered and the citizens with their wives, children and possessions began to leave. But this inflamed the avarice of the Italian sailors, which spread to Baldwin's soldiers, and a partial massacre followed. Baldwin was furious, and was only stopped from violent punishments by the intervention of the patriarch Evremar. Jerusalem thus gained a good harbour
Certainty: 1 Death of Eirene of Alania, wife of Isaakios, brother of Alexios I. Soon after the death of Isaakios, Alexios I's brother, his wife, Eirene of Alania, also died on a May 5
Certainty: 3 Battle of Harran: preliminaries. Harran, a Muslim town near Edessa, had been starved of food by constant raids. Albert of Aachen's narrative is rather confused, with a great army gathered by Chokurmish, the Turkish governor of Mosul, and Sukman ibn Artuq, the ex-ruler of Jerusalem, attacking Edessa. In a way which is unclear, this came to be linked with an attack by Baldwin of Edessa on Harran; The armies probably met near Raqqa. According to William of Tyre, Harran was first attacked by Baldwin of Edessa and Joscelin of Courtenay, joined by Bohemond and Tancred from Antioch and the churchmen Daimbert the ex-patriarch, Bernard patriarch of Antioch and Benedict archbishop of Edessa. The citizens tried to surrender, but Bohemond and Baldwin quarreled, both claiming ownership; they delayed for a day, and a huge Turkish army appeared. Ralph of Caen makes the Christian relief force follow a simulated Turkish retreat for three days, up to the river Chobar
Certainty: 3 Baldwin of Edessa & Joscelin of Courtenay were defeated & captured at Harran. Ralph of Caen claims that Baldwin and Bohemond (but not Tancred) were marching carelessly, and were attacked as soon as they had crossed the river Chobar. Other sources date the battle after a night spent by the river, near Raqqa, the Turks attacking to resupply Harran. Bernard the patriarch and Benedict the archbishop organised Christian confessions. Sukman ibn Artuq's force was gradually defeated by Bohemond and Tancred; but the battle turned elsewhere when Baldwin of Edessa, seeing Bohemond's success, charged to win a quick victory, not waiting till the Antiochenes' success was completed. Ralph agrees that Baldwin's forces were the weak link. He triggered a Turkish ambush which captured him and many of his men, killing others and leading to a crushing victory. Baldwin was taken off by the victors, despite attempts by Tancred to rescue him; his place as ruler of Edessa was taken by Tancred, who rushed to save the city from any sudden attack. Joscelin was also captured, and the two prisoners were held far away in the victor's lands. After the massacre of crusaders, Tancred was able to free archbishop Benedict - or, according to William of Tyre, a Christian in the Turkish army who was given charge of Benedict was moved to pity, and at great personal danger allowed the prisoner to escape uninjured back to Edessa. Ralph of Caen puts emphasis on the retreat of Bohemond and Tancred, which, he says, was forced on the leaders by their men. They abandoned what remained of their baggage while fleeing over wet and slippery paths. The church lost in the battle of Harran eighteen clergy and three monks, who were attending to the spiritual needs of the crusaders
Certainty: 3 Tancred became regent of Edessa during captivity of Baldwin. After the massacre at Harran, Tancred rushed to save Edessa from any consequent attack. There were discussions at Edessa as to who should defend Edessa during Baldwin's captivity; the obvious answer was Tancred, who took over the administration of Baldwin's possessions. Bohemond returned to Antioch. Joscelin's lands, according to different sources, were put in the hands of Baldwin I or Bohemond [surely the latter is more likely?]
Certainty: 3 Tancred defeated a siege of Edessa with a surprise attack. Tancred as regent of Edessa, soon after the battle of Harran, faced a massive siege by Chokurmish of Mosul and Sukman ibn Artuq, and sent a strong letter to Bohemond, demanding his presence out of crusader solidarity. When Bohemond did not arrive at once, Tancred and the Edessenes decided on a quick end to the siege, a surprise attack at dawn while the besiegers were asleep. It was a great success, and became a general massacre, completed by Bohemond. He had been delayed by Turkish attacks in the mountains, and arrived only in time for the pursuit. The great army of Chokurmish and Sukman were almost wiped out. Tancred took a lot of booty, including a noblewoman from Khorasan who had contributed considerable forces, wealth and equipment to the expedition. A large ransom was offered for her by Chokurmish, or exchange with Baldwin of Edessa; Baldwin I of Jerusalem urged the exchange, but Tancred and Bohemond chose the money, which they needed. They also secretly wanted to take over Edessa permanently
Certainty: 2 Capture of the whole of Cilicia by the Byzantine general Monastras. Monastras came overland with the cavalry to support Kantakouzenos on the landward side at Laodikeia. En route, he captured Longinias, Tarsos, Adana, Mamistra, in fact the whole of Cilicia, which was probably ripe for capture as a result of the battle of Harran
Certainty: 2 Ridwan of Aleppo ravaged as far as the river Orontes, capturing Artah. Fakhr al-Mulk Ridwan of Aleppo exploited Antiochene weakness resulting from the defeat at Harran. He made an attack towards Antioch which ravaged as far as the river Orontes, and captured the town of Artah
Certainty: 2 Failure of all-out Byzantine assault on Laodikeia, which was resupplied by Bohemond. Kantakouzenos then began all-out war on Bohemond, without success, despite Bohemond's defeat at Harran. He seized the harbour with a fleet full oif weapons, building materials and craftsmen, made countless assaults on the walls, built forts of his own, stretched a chain across the harbour to stop other ships and tried persuasion, all in vain. Bohemond came to try to stop the building, but found it complete. Kantakouzenos captured nearby forts - Argyrokastron, Marchapis, Gabala etc. up to the borders of Tripoli, making them subject to the Byzantines instead of the Muslims. Despite capturing the harbour and castle of Laodikeia, he was unable to take the citadel, popularly known as the koula; this was held by 500 Normans and 100 knights. When Bohemond heard of the capture of forts by Kantakouzenos and that the defenders of the akropolis were short of food, he loaded large quantities of supplies on to mules, gathered all his troops with those of Tancred and Raymond, and forced his way with the supplies into the koula. During this raid Bohemond and Kantakouzenos clashed verbally: Bohemond asked what he was doing, Kantakouzenos said he was enforcing the crusader oath to restore conquests to Alexios I (Laodikeia had been given then taken back); Bohemond said violence would fail: only money would take Laodikeia. Bohemond took the opportunity of the raid to replace the head of the garrison and his entourage, whom he did not trust, and to clear vineyards which prevented cavalry charges near the walls; he then returned to Antioch. Kantakouzenos failed to prevent Bohemond from resupplying Laodikeia, though his men attacked fiercely; he continued a furious siege after Bohemond's departure, with all kinds of siege-engines, but to no avail
Certainty: 2 Alexios I with his family visited Kyrillos Phileotes & had the old church of his monastery rebuilt. Kyrillos, although overcome by ill health and old age (he was 90 at the time), did not abandon his ascetic lifestyle, and was visited by the emperor Alexios 1 with his household. As he was hard of hearing, he was asked through a monk by Alexios I whether it was a good time to campaign againt the Turks; but he advised him to wait for a more propitious moment and gave him his blessing. The augousta Eirene Doukaina accompanied Alexios on his visit, and seeing how weak Kyrillos was she fed him with her own hands and gave him some wine to drink. Alexios saw that the church of Kyrillos' monastery was dilapidated, and so he ordered its demolition down to the foundations and its reconstruction. While the church of the monastery was being rebuilt, at the orders of Alexios I, he asked for a lamb to be given to the builders. When one of them was seized by demons and had a fit, Kyrillos sent some water with which he was cured
Certainty: 2 Marriage of the young Ioannes II with Piroshka of Hungary (renamed Eirene). Piroshka came from the West (where she was reputed to be an empress), forgot her family and native land, won the love of Ioannes II and secured a marriage beyond any human desires
Certainty: 2 Raymond of Toulouse attacked Tripoli in force & completed Mount Pilgrim. Raymond of Toulouse had reported to Alexios I his successes at Tortosa and Tripoli, and asked for the building of a very strong fortress to defend himself against Muslim reinforcements from Chorosan. It would also keep Tripoli under a state of constant siege. Alexios agreed, and ordered Eumathios Philokales from Cyprus to send materials and do the work according to Raymond's instructions
Certainty: 3 Chrysobull of Alexios I confirming Lavra's exchange of Barzachanion with other properties near Thessalonike. Alexios I was petitioned by the Megiste Lavra monastery on Athos to exchange the proasteia of Asmalou and Lorotomou for its distant property of Barzachanion, and to allow the monastery to install an additional 80 paroikoi on its new properties, for which 8 nomismata were due. He accepted the petition and issued a prostaxis for Konstantinos, anagrapheus of Boleron, Strymon and Thessalonike, asking him to prepare a praktikon for the proasteion. Later he was informed by Konstantinos that the praktikon he had requested for Barzachanion was ready, prepared by Konstantinos Hagioeuphemites, the vestarches. He then ordered Michael Rodios to transfer Asmalou and Lorotomou to Lavra.
Certainty: 3 Baldwin I with a few companions avenged the murder of a sick knight. A sick knight, who had been suffering a long time from a fever, rode out of Caesarea in response to the provocation of a small Arab force. He was killed, beheaded, and his head was put in a horse's fodder bag. Baldwin I avenged the knight, capturing a squire carrying the fodder-bag containing his head, which he recognised. Then he found and crushed the raiding party who killed him, with a company one-sixth of its size. With feats like this, his reputation grew
Certainty: 3 Daimbert was reinstated by the pope, but died on the way back to Jerusalem. Daimbert the deposed patriarch went with Bohemond to Apulia, then on to Rome to complain to pope Paschal II of his treatment by Arnulf of Choques and Baldwin I and their attacks on the church, and also of Baldwin's wrongful dismissial of his Armenian second wife, forcing her to become a nun at the Convent of St Anne, to whose endowments he added. She is said at first to have accepted the convent, but later to have gone to Constantinople, where she lay aside the habit and became a prostitute. Baldwin's motive, apart from his wife's behaviour, was said to be greed for another dowry. Paschal kept Daimbert in Rome for a time, to see whether Baldwin and the ex-patriarch's other opponents would send evidence to support his expulsion; since nothing came, he gave Daimbert an apostolic letter to resume his see. This, however, had no effect, since he died on the way back to Jerusalem (probably in 1105)
Certainty: 3 Bohemond went to Italy, leaving Tancred regent of an impoverished Antioch. Not long after his ransom from captivity, Bohemond felt under great pressure. He had insufficient troops and resources at Antioch to maintain himself against his enemies, Alexios I and the Muslims. He decided therefore to put his lands into the hands of Tancred and go off to the west with a few ships, blackening Alexios' name in order to raise troops for an attack on Byzantium. Ralph of Caen describes a dramatic meeting at Antioch at Hagios Petros, in which Bohemond announced his decision, and refused an offer from Tancred to go in his stead, on the grounds that Tancred had neither the cunning nor the prestige required. Bohemond left with ten galleys and three smaller ships, taking most of the cash and portable wealth of Antioch with him: he was never to return. Daimbert travelled with him to Rome for his own purposes. The journey had to be secret: in fact one version has taken this to its extreme, making him travel in a coffin, pretending to be dead. Tancred was left as regent for Bohemond at Antioch as he already was for the imprisoned Baldwin of Bourcq at Edessa. He was so poor that he had to give up wine. But within a few weeks, an Antiochene heard of his predicament and offered a solution. He gave him a list of the hundreds of citizens who were rich enough to contribute substantially to the treasury, if asked. He asked them, giving details of the dangers, and satisfactory sums were handed over. Antioch, having been very weak, became stronger. He was to rule Antioch till his death
Certainty: 3 Death of Nikephoros Melissenos.
Certainty: 0 Theophylaktos wrote to the bishop of Semna, about evil-doers (tax-collectors?). Theophylaktos of Ohrid told the bishop of Semna about the trouble caused by evil-doers (probably tax-collectors)
Certainty: 2 Birth of twins to Ioannes, son of Alexios I, at Balabista. Alexios Komnenos had spent fourteen months in the west, preparing defences against Bohemond. He had good information that Bohemond was delaying in Italy and would not cross the straits before winter, so he dismissed his men and retired to Thessalonike. On the way twins were born to Ioannes (II) and (the unnamed) Eirene Piroska. They were Alexios, who would be Ioannes' co-emperor, and Maria
Certainty: 3 Alexios I was in Thessalonike for feast of St Demetrios, then returned to Constantinople. Soon after the birth of his grandchildren, he reached Thessalonike, where he stayed till the feast of St Demetrios, then returned to Constantinople
Certainty: 2 The mythical journey of Bohemond in a coffin. The journey of Bohemond to Italy and the west would have had to be kept secret. However a narrative has been produced [now best recorded by Anna Komnene] which emphasises the secrecy in an extreme way. It has not been much believed. By this story, Bohemond feigned his own death and travelled in a coffin from Soudi the port of Antioch to Rome, telling his servants to say he had died and was being taken back to his own country for burial. He received air and food through little holes, causing a stench with a dead cockerel. The charade was maintained meticulously in port, less scrupulously when at sea. His servants helped by mourning him while feeding him. The story becomes more credible as Bohemond reaches Kerkyra. He rose from the dead, put on his best clothes and told Alexios the doux of Kerkyra to send a very boastful message to the emperor with threats of a coming invasion
Certainty: 2 Bohemond went to Italy, preparing for an invasion of Byzantium. After reaching Kerkyra, the point at which he felt able to announce his arrival in the West, Bohemond went directly on to Lombardy (Italy), where he began his work of collecting troops and blackening the name of Alexios I
Certainty: 3 Death of Raymond of Toulouse, to be succeeded by William Jordan of Cerdagne. Raymond of Toulouse died and was buried in his new castle, the Mount of the Pilgrims. As he was breathing his last, sick with a mortal disease as he still tried to conquer Tripoli, he sent for his nephew William Jordan of Cerdagne and bequeathed to him as his inheritance all the castles he had seized, making him heir and commander of his troops, When Alexios I heard of this, he instructed the doux of Cyprus Konstantinos Katakalon Euphorbenos to send Niketas Chalintzes to William Jordan with large amounts of money to ensure his goodwill towards the empire and have him swear the oath to Alexios which his uncle Raymond had loyally kept
Certainty: 3 Ridwan of Aleppo attacked Antioch but was heavily defeated in a battle near Artah. When Tancred's finances improved, he first made an attack on Artah. This provoked Ridwan of Aleppo to decisive action. By entreaty and payment he put a large army in the field, joining them to the men of Artah and advancing to capture Antioch. To face this attack, Tancred sent for troops from all the lands of Antioch and Edessa, gathering them near Antioch. They were addressed by Bernard of Valence, the Latin patriarch of Antioch, and fasted three days. As his army was much smaller than Ridwan's, he lured his enemy on to rough ground near the Iron Bridge, not far from Artah, and attacked. The normal Turkish tactic of retreating whilst firing arrows back from their horses here proved impossible because of the terrain. Ridwan's men were thrown into confusion, and after resisting for a time, he was one of the first to flee, and suffered heavy losses. Tancred won some excellent horses, regained Artah and other places, and returned to Antioch in triumph. He next attacked the fort the Byzantines had built against Apameia; this was surrounded by a large number of hostile places, but Tancred still made headway, as Christ was fighting for him. However, there was disturbing news from his men at Laodikeia, who were beginning to starve; should he pursue his seiege at Apameia, or go to save Laodikeia? He sent an inspiring message to the garrison of Laodikeia [at this point the text of Ralph of Caen breaks off]
Certainty: 2 Visit of Alexios I to Theotokos Eleousa while on campaign. While campaigning against the Serbs he passed through the theme of Stroumitza, visited the monastery of the Theotokos Eleousa to pray, saw how poor it was and how deprived of everything its monks were, and granted them land, animals and paroikoi
Certainty: 3 Death of megas domestikos Adrianos Komnenos. The megas domestikos Adrianos Komnenos died
Certainty: 2 Alexios I sent Ioannes Taronites to persuade or force Gregorios Taronites to stop his rebellion. Alexios I's correspondence with Gregorios Taronites showed him that Gregorios was suffering a progressive decline into complete mental collapse. Thus in the fourteenth indiction he sent Ioannes (Taronites), son of his eldest sister and Gregorios' cousin (on his father's side), to offer him good advice. He hoped that would work, as the two were closely related. If it did not, Ioannes was to enrol strong forces and attack him on land and sea
Certainty: 3 Third battle of Ramla was a crusader victory after a long & hard-fought struggle. The rulers of Egypt were aware that the departure of many crusaders had left a serious lack of manpower in Jerusalem. They sent a large army and fleet, planning to provoke a major land battle and attack Jaffa at the same time. Baldwin I realised the danger and gathered his forces. He summoned Hugh of Tiberias, Rorgus of Haifa, Gunfrid of the Tower of David, Hugh of St Abraham, Eustace Granarius, Gotmann of Brussels, Lithard of Cambrai, Pisellus of Tuorna and Baldwin of Heestert, asking them to come with all possible forces to outsmart the ingenious Egyptians. He also called Walter Mohamed (Bektash (Ertash) ibn Tutush), who had been driven out of Damascus, and the patriarch Evremar, whose summons was described by Fulcher of Chartres, who gives a sense of fear and anxiety. Baldwin is said to have had 500 knights and 2,000 infantry against an army of 15,000, not counting the fleet. He arranged his army in five divisions, himself in reserve, but with few cavalry, lacking horses. He took the offensive, and the Egyptian plan of a simultaneous double assault by land and sea does not seem to have worked. After a long, hard battle, the Saracens gave ground first and fled, struggling to escape through the gates of Askalon. He captured the amirs of Acre and Arsuf, with all their equipment, providing booty and opportunities for ransoms, while the amir of Askalon was killed. Muslim losses were much higher than among the crusaders, who lost only one major knight, Reinhard of Verdun. The Egyptian fleet after the battle spent some time in the harbour of Tripoli, where William Jordan of Cerdagne was powerless to keep it out, but tried in vain to stop it leaving
Certainty: 3 Alexios I ordered his western commanders to concentrate at Sthlanitza. Alexios I sent letters to his military commanders in the west to go immediately to Sthlanitza. In the meantime, with his cutomary unwillingness to rest, he did not stay in the palace, but went to Thessalonike, taking the empress Eirene with him. He wished to train the new recruits in warfare, and also to delay the crossing of Bohemond, who would be aware of his presence
Certainty: 2 Bolkan of Dalmatia, after winning a battle, was forced to send hostages. When Alexios I had advanced from Thessalonike to Stroumitsa and Slopimos, he heard of aother defeat of Ioannes, son of the sebastokrator Isaakios, by Bolkan of Dalmatia. Alexios sent substantial reinforcements, which made Bolkan sue for peace and send the required hostages. [This episode is distressingly similar to that which occurred in 1093-1094.]
Certainty: 2 Marriage alliances of Bohemond & Tancred with Philip I of France. Bohemond in western Europe visited Philip I, king of France, seeking assistance. Among other benefits, Philip gave him two daughters, the legitimate Constance to marry Bohemond himself, and the illegitimate Cecilia, who was sent from Apulia as a wife for Tancred, Bohemond's regent in Antioch
Certainty: 2 Attempts by Alexios I to counter the propaganda of Bohemond in the west. Bohemond in western Europe denounced Alexios I as an enemy of the Christians, and incited many of his fellow nationals to take up arms against him and invade the Balkans. He tried particularly to get help from Pisa, Genoa and Venice. Alexios countered this proaganda by sending letters in all directions, and especially by despatching the counts he had ransomed from Egypt everywhere to put his case
Certainty: 2 Gregorios Taronites approached the Danishmend emir, but was captured & sent to Alexios I. As soon as he heard of the arrival of his cousin Ioannes Taronites, Gregorios made for the strong fortress of Koloneia, to seek help from Gumushtegin Ghazi Danishmend [whom he had before defeated]. But Ioannes stopped him by sending the Kelts from his army with some aristocrats. These overtook Gregorios and began a fierce skirmish, in the course of which Gregorios was knocked off his horse by two opponents and taken as a prisoner back to Alexios. Ioannes refused to see or speak to Gregorios in the course of the journey. Alexios pretended to take a hard line, speaking of blinding Gregorios, but Ioannes spoke eloquently on his behalf. Alexios gave in, as if persuaded by Ioannes, but urged Ioannes to say nothing of the change of verdict. Two days later, the emperor had Gregorios' hair and beard shaven and in that state paraded through the heart of the city, then locked in the prison of Anemas (soon after Anemas himself had left). There Gregorios' stupidity continued, with daily abuse of his guards. But Alexios continued to treat him leniently, vainly hoping for improvement
Certainty: 3 Terrifying earthquake felt in Jerusalem. An earthquake was felt in Jerusalem, sufficient to terrify Fulcher of Chartres
Certainty: 1 Eumathios Philokales visited Kyrillos Phileotes. Eumathios Philokales paid a visit to Kyrillos Phileotes. He was received by Kyrillos with harsh words and accused of avarice, injustice and arrogance, whereupon he fell at the holy man's feet. Kyrillos then helped Eumathios to rise and sit next to him, admonishing him in paternal words; he left with his blessing. However he persisted in his evil ways
Certainty: 1 Theophylaktos wrote to Nikolaos Kallikles asking for copies of medical works, specifying a carrier. Theophylaktos, archbishop of Ohrid, wrote to the doctor Nikolaos Kallikles, asking for copies of medical works by Galen, Hippocrates and Plato, to be conveyed to him by a person recommended by Theodoros Smyrnaios, hypatos of the philosophers - in fact a relative of Theodoros
Certainty: 1 Theophylaktos wrote to Michael Pantechnes, recommending the letter carrier. Theophylaktos, archbishop of Ohrid, wrote to the proedros and proximos Michael Pantechnes, recommending a relative of the hypatos of the philosophers Smyrnaios, who was also the letter carrier. Pantechnes was asked to assist Smyrnaios' relative
Certainty: 1 Theophylaktos wrote to an unnamed correspondent, asking for news. Theophylaktos of Ohrid sent a letter to an unidentified correspondent, asking for news. The tone of address has suggested that the recipient was Gregorios Kamateros or Michael Pantechnes
Certainty: 1 Theophylaktos wrote to the same unnamed correspondent, sending a brother with his news. Theophylaktos of Ohrid sent a letter to the same unidentified correspondent, this time sending one of his brothers with his news, which he wanted to be sent to others. The tone of address has again suggested that the recipient was Gregorios Kamateros or Michael Pantechnes
Certainty: 0 Theophylaktos wrote briefly to an unnamed correspondent, using an unnamed carrier. Theophylaktos of Ohrid wrote a laconic letter to a unidentified correspondent. The letter-carrier is mentioned but not identified
Certainty: 1 Fall of statue in the forum of Constantine dismissed as not ill-omened. A statue in the forum of Constantine, that called Anelios or Anthelios, fell to the ground. Alexios I refused to accept the popular idea that this was a bad omen, signifying his impending death. He believed in God alone as arbiter of life and death
Certainty: 0 Trial of Basileios & other Bogomils. The confession elicited from Basileios was the first stage of a long enquiry into his activities and beliefs. One stage was a meeting of a council of senators, army commanders and church leaders, presided over by the patriarch Nikolaos Grammatikos. The details of his confession were read out. Basileios made no attempt to conceal the appalling irreverance of his beliefs, in fact he went on the attack, confident he would be saved by angels from the punishments with which he was threatened. He was imprisoned. The next night after this meeting a rain of stones fell on his cell from a cloudless sky, by the sworn testimony of his guard, Paraskeviotes - plainly the work of demons. The emperor made persistent attampts to persuade him to abjure his wicked beliefs, but with no success. Anna Komnene refused to sully her work with the filthy details of his doctines, referring readers to the Panoplia Dogmatike of Zygabenos, an expert on dogma known to Maria of Bulgaria, Anna's maternal grandmother. This work, commissioned by Alexios I, listed all heresies, including Bogomilism, and refuted each in turn. A decision was made that Basileios and all the Bogomils should be burned. But some of those accused protested their innocence. Alexios had everybody tried before another council of senators, members of the Synod and monks. All were condemned to death by one of two pyres of their choice, one with a cross for Christians, the other for Bogomils. The pyres were prepared in the Tzykanisterin, and by removing the hope of survival, Alexios had the condemned make an honest choice. Those selecting the Christian pyre were freed, after counselling. Those choosing the Bogomil pyre remained in prison
Certainty: 0 Public burning of of Basileios the Bogomil. The confession elicited from Basileios was the first stage of a long enquiry into his activities and beliefs. One stage was a meeting of a council of senators, army commanders and church leaders, presided over by the patriarch Nikolaos Grammatikos. The details of his confession were read out. Basileios made no attempt to conceal the appalling irreverance of his beliefs, in fact he went on the attack, confident he would be saved by angels from the punishments with which he was threatened. He was imprisoned. The next night after this meeting a rain of stones fell on his cell from a cloudless sky, by the sworn testimony of his guard, Paraskeviotes - plainly the work of demons. The emperor made persistent attampts to persuade him to abjure his wicked beliefs, but with no success. Anna Komnene refused to sully her work with the filthy details of his doctines, referring readers to the Panoplia Dogmatike of Zygabenos, an expert on dogma known to Maria of Bulgaria, Anna's maternal grandmother. This work, commissioned by Alexios I, listed all heresies, including Bogomilism, and refuted each in turn. A decision was made that Basileios and all the Bogomils should be burned. But some of those accused protested their innocence. Alexios had everybody tried before another council of senators, members of the Synod and monks. All were condemned to death by one of two pyres of their choice, one with a cross for Christians, the other for Bogomils. The pyres were prepared in the Tzykanisterin, and by removing the hope of survival, Alexios had the condemned make an honest choice. Those selecting the Christian pyre were freed, after counselling. Those choosing the Bogomil pyre remained in prison
Certainty: 0 Ridwan of Aleppo deprived of Christian ransoms by 'Izk, governor of Tall Hiraq. Some Frankish prisoners rebelled and took over Ridwan of Aleppo's castle of Ravendel. But they were talked out of their rebellion by 'Izk, governor of Tall Hiraq, son of Abu l-Najm. 'Izk expected a reward, but was disappointed to learn that Ridwan reacted by complaining of the loss of the Frankish ransoms
Certainty: 1 Theophylaktos wrote to Niketas (?) an imperial doctor, apologising for absence & sending a brother. Theophylaktos wanted to visit Niketas, but was prevented by a streaming cold and the swollen stream of the Vardar. His brother [probably not Demetrios?] did not have a cold and was not afraid of crossing the Vardar, so he was sent in Theophylaktos' place
Certainty: 2 Byzantine commanders rotated to provide defence against Bohemond. Alexios I was in desperate need of soldiers to combat Bohemond's invasion. He therefore sent to his two experienced generals in the east, Kantakouzenos and Monastras, both currently at Laodikeia, and asked them to come with all available troops. In their place he sent Petzeas from Ephesos to Laodikeia and Oshin (Aspietes) to Tarsos. This last choice was a poor one
Certainty: 3 Ismailis captured the citadel of Apamea.
Certainty: 3 Comet seen for 40 days in Constantinople & Jerusalem. While Alexios I was preparing defences against the attack of Bohemond, a great comet appeared in the sky for 40 days. He asked Basileios, the eparch of the city who had a reputation as an astrologer, what the comet meant. Basileios saw St Ioannes the Evangelist in a dream, and he told him that it signified the Norman invasion of Bohemond, while its extinction meant that the invasion would fail. The comet was also seen by Fulcher of Chartres in Jerusalem, together with other phenomena in the sky during February and March
Certainty: 2 Gregorios Taronites visited in prison by Nikephoros Bryennios, counselled & finally pardoned. Gregorios Taronites, who had before had friendly relations with the kaisar Nikephoros Bryennios (and Anna Komnene), now called for visits from Nikephoros. Alexios I permitted them, if he gave Gregorios good advice and tried to overcome his depression. But his condition improved slowly, and imprisonment continued. However, after a time he was pardoned and recieived the same honours and gifts as before - if not more: that was how Alexios behaved in such cases
Certainty: 2 Aspietes (Oshin) defeated by Tancred in Cilicia. The Armenian noble Oshin (Aspietes) was sent to Tarsos, to replace Monastras, who had been recalled to fight Bohemond. He proved no match for the local enemy, Tancred. The latter began to spread rumours that he was going to take Cilicia from the Byzantines, as it was his and he had won it from the Turks. He enrolled Norman and Armenian troops, trained them hard and constructed siege-engines. Oshin, despite his brave reputation, responded by relaxing and drinking far into the night, as though Tancred's actions had nothing to do with him. As he was far from Alexios I's eyes he spent his time in debauchery, ignoring the threat. Tancred later led a large army out of Antioch and divided it in two: one part he sent overland against Mopsuestia, the other he took by sea up the river Saron, which flows between the two parts of Mopsuestia, that which had been destroyed and that which survived.Even at this stage Oshin still showed little interest, belying his reputation and making himself loathed by his troops, as totally inadequate for his command. He was completely defeated. [Mopsuestia in fact stands on the Pyramos (now Ceyhan)].
Certainty: 3 Destructive raid on crops of Askalon at most damaging time of year. Baldwin I followed victory at the third battle of Ramla with a destructive raid on Askalon in June, just when crops were ready. They cut and burned till everything was destroyed. The route home became a hunt, which led to the death of Arnulf of Oudenaarde. Arnulf's squire pursued a deer which was startled by the army's passage, but at the climax of the hunt a girth broke and he fell to the ground. The horse fled into the mountains, so Arnulf faced losing both the animal and the service of the squire it carried. He followed its tracks persistently, but did not return. A subsequent search found the horse, but not Arnulf. His loss was specially mourned by Ida of Louvain, who had travelled with him as a pilgrim to Jerusalem
Certainty: 2 Planned attack on Sidon with English fleet cancelled because of other losses. Baldwin I welcomed to Jaffa a large English fleet, with Danish and Flemish elements, and gave them an escort to and from Jerusalem, so that they could fulfil their vows. When they asked how they could help him, he gathered his barons for a discussion. Evremar the patriarch, Hugh of Fauquembergues and Gunfrid of the Tower of David met him at Ramla, and decided to attack Sidon, since it was the most aggressive of the Muslim cities. The English were asked to wait at Jaffa, while the barons gathered their men and Baldwin built siege-engines at Acre. However Baldwin heard of the deaths of Hugh and Gerard of Fauquembergues, and received an offer of a large ransom from Sidon, which was soon increased. Baldwin was tempted, but worried about the resultant unpopularity. Eventually he decided to accept the offer from Sidon and postpone the attack. He invited the English fleet to Acre to tell them of the change of plan, and the sailors returned to their various homes
Certainty: 2 Death of Hugh of St-Omer, replaced at Tiberias by Gervase of Bazoches. After receiving a large sum of money as a ransom for Sidon, Baldwin I went to Tiberias, whose lord, Hugh of St Omer, had recently been killed. Hugh had built he castle of Toron (originally Tibenin) 10 miles from Tyre, to protect his men when they were raiding Tyre. After some unsuccessful battles, he then went off to Suweida, the land of the "Fat Peasant", where he plundered riches and animals for use in the attack on Sidon. His men and plunder had reached Baniyas before they were attacked by Turks and Arabs, who took back the booty, Hugh rode to save the plunder, but was not wearing armour, and so was killed by an arrow from behind. His body was carried to Nazareth and Mt Tabor, where he was buried with great grief, and the attack on Sidon was postponed. Baldwin chose Gervase of Bazoches to succeed Hugh as lord of Tiberias, knowing him to be a nobleman of great quality
Certainty: 2 Major attack from Muslim coastal cities while Baldwin I was away at Tiberias. While Baldwin I was away at Tiberias, the troops of Askalon, Tyre, Sidon and Beirut launched a major offensive. They first slaughtered many pilgrims, then attacked Baldwin (of Heestert?) at Ramla. He had very few troops and went to join Roger of Rozoy at Jaffa, who had no more. Roger charged the attackers against huge odds, and held his own for a long time. Gerard the chamberlain made the situation worse by defeatist comments, so all immediately fled to Jaffa, where the gate was shut, leaving some to be killed outside. Gunfrid of the Tower of David was besieged in Castle Arnolf: he surrendered himself and the citadel, and was taken off to Askalon, leaving the garrison to be massacred and the castle destroyed. In Jaffa harbour two ships were attacked, the larger being saved but the smaller with a rich cargo was lost. Baldwin I on his return was furious, regretting his decision to spare Sidon and dismiss the English fleet. He made a demonstration outside Askalon, but could do no more as the whole area was already devastated and the enemy remained in their cities
Certainty: 2 Tancred was summoned to take over Apamea from Botherus, mercenary of its emir. The amir of Apamea suffered a great deal from Botherus, a malicious mercenary of his. Finally he was invited by him to a feast and treacherously killed, making the townspeople eager for revenge against Botherus. The latter took up residence in a strong tower, and invited Ridwan of Aleppo to take over the city. The Christians sent to Tancred to save them, but when he arrived he found that Botherus had turned people against him by bribes and threats, and so he returned to Antioch. Over Easter he made careful preparations to attack Apamea, but to no avail. The two sons of the murdered amir had escaped from Botherus after the murder, and taken refuge in Damascus, from where they offered Tancred an alliance; they promised him military aid, claiming they had no designs on Apamea. Tancred agreed and pressed ahead with the siege, surrounding the whole town with a fortification and starving its people into submission, giving a guarantee of safety to Botherus. His two young allies protested at this. Tancred replied that he had given a guarantee to end the fighting, and would keep it, but had said nothing about Botherus' accomplices. Tancred arrested Botherus and took him to Antioch, leaving the two sons of the murdered amir to take revenge on his accomplices
Certainty: 2 Chrysobull of Alexios I granting tax exemptions to Theotokos Eleousa. Alexios, who had seen the poverty of Eleousa at first hand, asked Alexios Komnenos his nephew to have the monastery's land measured - a task he delegated to Michael Olynthenos. It measured 162 modioi. Alexios granted these 162 modioi to the monastery, together with 12 paroikoi exempt from fiscal obligations, and confirmed his earlier chrysobull which granted it independence. The monastery was also granted a tax exemption on 150 sheep, 40 cows(?), ten mares and six pairs of oxen, and on its land, whether it was used for vineyards or any other purpose. He ordered the secretaries to register the chrysobull, and make a copy for the monks of Eleousa
Certainty: 2 Theophylaktos wrote to his brother Demetrios, shocked at the news of his illness. Theophylaktos of Ohrid wrote to his brother Demetrios, shocked at the news of his ill-health. He asked to be kept informed of the progress of his condition
Certainty: 2 Theophylaktos wrote to Nikolaos Kallikles on property problems & his dying brother Demetrios. Theophylaktos of Ohrid requested the assistance of Nikolaos Kallikles over a small house at Thessalonike which was in danger of sequestration, and over the threatened chorion of Ekklesiai. He also sent him greetings from his brother Demetrios, who suffered from consumption and was approaching death
Certainty: 0 Theophylaktos wrote to Konstantinos Komnenos of his brother's joy in anticipation of meeting him. Theophylaktos of Ohrid sent a letter to Konstantinos Komnenos, doux of Berroia, describing his surprise at the excitement shown by his brother (perhaps Demetrios?) as he left on a trip. He enquired the reason, and was told that this was because he would visit Konstantinos the sebastos. He embraced his brother, and wrote to encourage Konstantinos to persist in his current goodness
Certainty: 2 Baldwin postponed an attack by Tughtakin of Damascus by great generosity to his envoys. Baldwin I heard of the hostile plans of Tughtakin of Damascus. To counter them, he spent time scouting in the mountains. He also gave such lavish hospitality and rich gifts to ambassadors from Damascus that they reported the Christian position as much better than it was. Tughtakin postponed his plans
Certainty: 2 Arrival in Constantinople of an ex-patriarch of Jerusalem (Ioannes VIII?).
Certainty: 3 Baldwin stopped the building of a Turkish castle in the Valley of Moses. In Lent Baldwin I was told by Theodoros, a Syrian Christian, of a Turkish plan to build a fortress in the ancient Valley of Moses to disrupt Christian commerce. Theodoros led Baldwin and his army to a Christian village not far from the site, from which he took a priest as a guide. They all approached the bulding site, whereupon the priest went to the Turkish camp and terrified them with news of the king's approach. They fled, making fighting unnecessary. Baldwin then smoked out local Arabs from caves, capturing animals and building materials
Certainty: 2 Ramla, Jaffa & Hebron beat off Turkish raiders as Baldwin I returned. While Badwin I was absent in the Wadi Musa, the people of Askalon attacked Ramla, then Jaffa. When he heard of the attacks, he sent soldiers ahead to Jaffa, promising to follow. Even the news of his approach encouraged the Christians and terrified the enemy, so that when he arrived he found that victory was already won. He distributed the booty, visited Jerusalem, Jaffa and Acre, then back to Jerusalem to take the lead in ceremonies in which he was sprinkled with ash on Mt Sion by Baldwin, archbishop of Caesarea. Then he went on again to Acre and Tiberias, to encourage his troops to be vigilant against Turkish attacks. After that the people of Askalon hired help from Damascus to attack Hebron. He went there quietly with picked men and surprised the Turks with a charge. However his men began plundering too soon, losing Hugh of Cassel and Albert Apostolius before the victory was won and Baldwin took more booty
Certainty: 2 Defeat of Bohemond by Alexios I predicted by Kyrillos Phileotes. When Nikolaos Kataskepenos, author of the Life pf Kyrillos Phileotes, asked the holy man about the war against Bohemond, he was told of a prophetic vision. Kyrillos had had a dream in which a black dog was dragged and thrown at the emperor's feet. This was said to be an assurance that Alexios I would defeat Bohemond
Certainty: 2 Dyrrachion was fortified, & a fleet built early despite the expense. Alexios I took precautions to have everything ready for the moment of Bohemond's invasion: he sent letters so that mercenaries would be ready when needed; Dyrrachion was fortified, particularly on the landward side, using the strong point of Elissos, safeguarding the possibility of supply by sea or the nearby navigable Drymon; Alexios, second son of Isaakios the sebastokrator, was appointed its doux; finally a fleet was raised from the Kyklades and the coastal towns of Asia and Europe. Objections were raised that this was not yet needed, as Bohemond was not ready to cross, but Alexios maintained that in such matters forethought was essential
Certainty: 2 The doux of Dyrrachion was encouraged & the megas doux Kontostephanos sent to assist. Alexios sent frequent letters to his nephew Alexios, the doux of Dyrrachion, preparing him for the war which was to come, exhorting him to be vigilant and to encourage his men to be just as careful; written information should be sent at once when Bohemond crossed. Isaakios Kontostephanos too was promoted megas doux, and sent to Dyrrachion with violent threats if he failed to arrive before Bohemond. His task was to keep a careful watch over the straits, seeking to break Bohemond's lines of supply before and after the invasion. Unfortunately Isaakios was ill-informed and not scrupulous in obeying orders
Certainty: 2 Evremar the patriarch went to Rome for a decision on his patriarchate. Evremar the patriarch crossed the seas to Rome to ask the Holy See whether he would remain patriarch. The issue had not been clarified since the death of patriarch Daimbert
Certainty: 2 Baldwin harrassed a strong Egyptian caravan crossing the Jordan: booty was rich. Baldwin I went to attack a large caravan of Egyptians crossing the Jordan on the way to Tyre, Beirut and Sidon. As the party was very strong he only harried its rear, but he captured sugar, pepper, spices, oil and honey, providing a good supply of these goods for Jerusalem
Certainty: 2 Release of Conrad, constable of the Western Empire & other counts from Egypt by Alexios I. Alexios I sent Niketas Panoukomites to Egypt to persuade the vizier to free the counts captured at the second battle of Ramla in 1102. [Note that this embassy is one of several recorded for the same purpose, which may not reflect several different events.] The prisoners were released as a good-will gesture, without ransom. In particular, Conrad, constable of the Western Empire, was freed to return to Constantinople, where Alexios sent him on to Henry IV. Conrad arrived back at a difficult moment, when Henry IV was struggling with his son Henry V, leaving him with the difficult task of showing neutrality. This was another way for Alexios to counter the propaganda of Bohemond, who claimed that the Byzantine emperor was an enemy of the Christians
Certainty: 3 Alexios I issued an edict on clergy reform. Alexios I wrote to the patriarch Nikolaos Grammatikos and the synod about a reform of the clergy, giving the letter the force of an edict, with punishments for those who contravened it. He described in very gloomy terms the current state of the clergy, especially in Hagia Sophia, and made proposals for them to be better educated at all levels, promoted on merit and better paid. No more should be taken on in Hagia Sophia (save in exceptional cases) till the number returned to the prescribed level. He was particularly concerned with the teaching function of the clergy, honouring those who showed talent and encouraging talented deacons to become priests. Those who showed no talent and did not live virtuous lives should be urged to reform, and not be promoted or even removed. The reform should extend to monks and spiritual fathers, and to outdated canons. He urged the patriarch and the synod to show zeal and leadership in extending the reforms all over the city and then the empire, fulfilling the duties of bishops in the parishes
Certainty: 2 Theophylaktos wrote in despair to the bishop of Kitros to intercede for his dying brother. Theophylaktos, the archbishop of Ohrid, sent a letter to the bishop of Kitros, asking for his intercessions, especially on behalf of his sick brother Demetrios. Theophylaktos and Demetrios had left Ohrid (for Ekklesiai?), where Demetrios became ill because of the hot climate, and being deprived of the wine and healthy food of Ohrid he suffered from anorexia, headaches and bowel problems, treated by his brother Theophylaktos with oxysaccharum. Theophylaktos deplored his own decision not to go to Constantinople, where the climate would not have been so destructive
Certainty: 2 Kontostephanos attacked Otranto, but was beaten off by a woman & her son. Not following orders, Isaakios Kontostephanos attacked Otranto in Southern Italy. This city was defended by a woman (Anna had insufficient data to decide whether she was the mother of Tancred and/or the sister of Bohemond). Isaakios's assaults came close to capturing Otranto, but the defender had already sent a message to one of her sons asking for speedy assistance. As the attackers were all accaliming Alexios I, certain of success, she (in desperate straits) told her men to do the same, and sent messengers to Isaakios pledging loyalty to Alexios and discussing capitulation. She was playing for time, waiting for her son. When he came, with allies, he completely defeated Isaakios, as the latter's sailors were inexperienced in fighting on land and his Pecheneg troops deserted to plunder at the decisive moment (as they often do). Six Pechenegs were captured
Certainty: 2 Six Pecheneg prisoners used by Bohemond to show the Pope the godlessness of Alexios I. Bohemond was sent the six Pecheneg prisoners, and immediately took them to an audience with Paschal II in Rome. He exhibited them as concrete evidence of Alexios I's preference for barbarian infidels over Christians. The Pechenegs glared angrily, as barbarians do. With arguments like this Bohemond convinced the pope that his cause was just, and his attack on Epirus received papal approval - which naturally increased the number of unsophisticated recruits
Certainty: 2 Kontostephanos & other admirals turned the tables at Otranto & won a victory. Back outside Otranto, the Normans had a great chance of victory, but the tables were turned by the high-ranking Byzantine officers, especially Nikephoros Exazenos Hyaleas, his cousin Konstantinos Exazenos Doukas, and - bravest of all - Alexandros Euphorbenos. These men and their colleagues changed the course of the battle and won a splendid victory. Kontostephanos thus gained breathing space, set sail from Otranto and went to Avlon
Certainty: 3 Kontostephanos concentrated defence at Avlon, but only Landulf kept good watch. Kontostephanos decided that better defence was needed at Avlon, as the crossing was easier there, so intensified the watch at that point, especially from the top of Jason's Hill. A recently-arrived Norman said that Bohemond was on the point of sailing. This terrified Kostostephanos' men, who declared themselves ill, needing treatment at the baths. As they went, they left the deuteros, the droungarios of the fleet, on watch with his special ship near Cape Glossa [presumably a derisory defence]. Landulph, once the supreme commander of the fleet, with his great experience, was guaranteed to keep a better watch in the same area with a fair number of ships
Certainty: 3 Bohemond crossed to Epirus with a huge armada; Landulf let him pass. Bohemond in crossing the straits surrounded himself with twelve raiding ships, which made a tremendous noise with the frequent strokes of their rowers. Around this fleet in a circle he placed merchant ships, shutting in the war-fleet as if in an enclosure. Looked at from outside, Bohemond's armada looked like a floating city. The sea was calm, apart from just enough wind to fill the sails of the merchantmen. The noise they made in the middle of the Adriatic was so great that it could be heard on both sides. No fleet, ancient or modern, could be blamed for shrinking from this one in fear. Landulf, seeing the mighty fleet and realising that he had no chance of stopping it, chose a course which would allow Bohemond to pass. Bohemond's propaganda attacks on Alexios I for anti-Christian actions continued, with even more success
Certainty: 3 Pecheneg messenger sent to inform Alexios I, who took the news coolly. As soon as the unsleeping doux of Dyrrachion saw that Bohemond and his men had crossed to Epiros, disembarked and built a camp, he sent off a Pecheneg messenger with the news. He flew like the wind to Alexios in Constantinople, where he met Alexios coming home from hunting. The man delivered his message theatrically, prostrating himself completely and crying out the news in a loud voice. All the others present froze to the spot at Bohemond's terrible name, but Alexios courageously loosened his sandal and said it was time for lunch: Bohemond could wait till another time
Certainty: 3 Bohemond at once began to ravage coastal areas, besieging Dyrrachion. As soon as he landed in Epiros he sent men up and down the coast to attack its fortresses with his huge multicultural forces, plundering systematically. Sometimes there was resistence, sometimes not. Then he concentrated attention on the city of Dyrrachion, using all his skill as one of the great besiegers of cities of his age
Certainty: 3 Alexios chose governors for the capital, waiting at Geranion for the Blachernai miracle. When he learned of Bohemond's crossing, he knew he had to leave the capital. He appointed as its governors Eustathios Kymineianos and Nikephoros, son of Dekanos, and went as far as the imperial purple tent at Geranion. The Blachernai miracle had not taken place, so he waited four days, then went back to the church in the evening with Eirene Doukaina and a few others, conducting the usual ritual. The miracle then occurred, and he was able to leave
Certainty: 3 Property dispute between the monasteries of Phalakrou & Kynopodos. A dispute arose between the monasteries of Phalakrou and Kynopodos over a property. The protos of Athos Ioannes Tarchaneiotes intervened and visited the property in question together with the hegoumenoi and those of neighbouring monasteries. The ownership titles were read out and the issue was resolved
Certainty: 3 Choirobakchoi to Thessalonike: appointments, letters to commanders & a Bulgarian plot. When Alexios reached Choirobakchoi on the way to Thessalonike, he appointed Ioannes Taronites as eparchos of the city - a man under Alexios' protection since his youth. After leaving Choirobakchoi, he sent frequent letters to Kontostephanos and his colleagues Exazenos Doukas and Hyaleas, reinforcing the need to interrupt Bohemond's men trying to cross from Italy. He kept Eirene Doukaina with him somewhat against her will - and thus probably avoided assassination in the Bulgarian plot, led by Aaron. They left Mestos, crossed the river Evros, and camped at Psyllos
Certainty: 3 Detection & punishment of conspiracy of the Bulgarian Aaron. Aaron, an illegitimate offspring of the Bulgarian royal house, with his brother Theodoros, roused Alexios I's opponents against him, deciding to assassinate him. Aaron chose one of his Pecheneg slaves, Demetrios, as actual assassin, and planned to do the deed as soon as Eirene Doukaina left for the capital. [Anna refused to say whether there were other conspirators.] Demetrios sharpened his sword and began training. But imperial plans changed, and Eirene did not leave. So the murderers wrote some scurrilous writings (famosa) and threw them into the imperial tent, warning Eirene to leave and Alexios to go on. [Anna added that the publishing of such famosa carried a heavy legal penalty]. One day when most of the imperial party had left after lunch, more famosa appeared, again trying scurrilously to drive Eirene away. The document had a puzzling and threatening post-script. The emperor was very angry at the repeated crime. That night Konstantinos, an old retainer, once of Alexios' father and now of the empress Eirene, heard an argument about the famosa, and learned from his own servant that one of the disputants was Aaron's retainer Strategios. Strategios was interviewed and told all he knew, and Konstantinos got the information to Alexios, though he was asleep, via Basileios the eunuch. Strategios under interrogation denounced Aaron and Demetrios, and confirmed his accusations by taking Basileios to Aaron's tent and finding more famosa in a soldier's leather pouch. At daybreak, Alexios examined the principals, and exiled Aaron's mother to Choirobakchoi, his brother Theodoros to Anchialos, and Aaron himself to "...", (blank in the Mss). The emperor had been delayed for five days
Certainty: 2 Alexios used his journey to Thessalonike as training for the army. As he travelled on to Thessalonike and the army assermbled, he decided to arrange it in battle array, in well ordered and well armed divisions. It made a spectacular sight. He established an elite officer corps of 300 young men he had trained himself in all the military skills
Certainty: 1 Alexios I satisfied a request by Lavra for improvements in its tax regime. The Athos monastery of Megiste Lavra asked to be exempted from charges imposed upon its former properties of Peristerai and Tzechlianes in connection with the post and the fleet: Alexios agreed. He ordered all Lavra's estates to be measured and an additional 16,000 modioi be granted
Certainty: 0 Hugh of Le Puiset came to the east: birth of a son in Apulia. Hugh of Le Puiset set out for the east, apparently leaving when his wife, Mabel of Roucy, was pregnant. A son (another Hugh) was born in Apulia, and since he was delicate, was left there with Bohemond. Hugh of Le Puiset settled in Jerusalem, and would as some stage become Count of Jaffa
Certainty: 0 Nikolaos Mouzalon, didaskalos of the Gospels, appointed archbishop of Cyprus. The archbishopric of Cyprus became vacant. The patriarch Nikolaos Grammatikos recommended for the see the monk Nikolaos Mouzalon, having noticed his application to learning and his good work as didaskalos of the Gospels. Alexios I had Mouzalon appointed
Certainty: 0 Theophylaktos sent a gift of fish to Konstantinos Doukas the sebastos. Theophylaktos, archbishop of Ohrid, sent a rather small gift of fish to Konstantinos Doukas the sebastos, and explained why he could not be more generous, having no authority over his local lake of Ohrid
Certainty: 2 Alexios I wintered in Thessalonike, sending picked officers to guard valleys of Pindos. Alexios I passed the winter in Thessalonike. He made another choice among his 300 elite officers, and sent the best of them into the valleys of the Pindos, through which any attack from the west must come
Certainty: 2 Region of Ohrid ravaged by Bohemond of Taranto. Thephylaktos of Ohrid was well aware of the effects of Bohemond's invasion in his see; Bohemond filled the entire region with fear, occupying Mt Mokros and Mt Bagora and ravaging the whole area of Ohrid. Theophylaktos hoped for the success of Michael Doukas the protostrator (the empress' brother), who had been sent by Alexios I to recruit men and attack the invader, whom he called a rebel slave. On a personal level, Theophylaktos had to get back to Ohrid from the capital, where he had been unwell. He travelled to Thessalonike, and wrote to Ioannes Pantechnes, saying that he planned to hire horses there to take him to Ohrid
Certainty: 3 Bohemond reconnoitered the area of Dyrrachion, then burned his boats & intensified the siege. Bohemond had begun the siege of Dyrrachion almost immediately after his invasion. Since it did not fall at the first attempt, he settled down to a siege, camping opposite the east gate, where there was a bronze horeseman. He spent the whole winter examining the area carefully, looking for weaknesses in the defences. In spring, when his forces had all crossed, he burned his cargo-ships and horse-transports: this stopped his army from thinking of retreat, and in any case was forced on him by the Byzantine fleet. He then gave himself entirely to the siege
Certainty: 2 Bohemond took some forts, persisting in the siege with battering-ram, mining & a tower. Bohemond made conquests in the area of Dyrrachion: Petroula, Mylos beyond the Diabolis river, and others. But his main efforts were spent on machines of war, ways of destroying the city's walls. In particular he built a battering ram, made a major attempt at undermining the praitorion, and constructed a huge tower. His huge battering-ram, covered by hides, was moved into place on wheels, which were then removed. Relays of strong men swung it against the wall with great force. But the defenders derided this machine, and Alexios Komnenos the doux opened the city gates for a time, mocking them by offering an easier entry, so the ram was abandoned. Bohemond built a long, well covered trench to approach the praitorion of Dyrrachion (the residence of the doux), then began to dig beneath it. But the defenders prepared a counter-mine, from which they could hear the attacking sappers. They finally broke through into their tunnel and routed them with heavy losses by Greek fire. Bohemond's first project was the last used: a huge tower, calculated to overtop the walls, to give access by drawbridges to the battlements; it was pushed on rollers by men inside. Alexios the doux built a simple tower on the wall nearby, shooting fire at it and combustible material around it, making a blaze visible for miles
Certainty: 2 Usama's uncle Sultan ransomed a prisoner whom he had married but sent back to her family. An Arab woman of noble origin was captured by the Franks of Tancred during a raid on Shayzar. She turned out to be a woman whom Usama's uncle Sultan had intended to make his wife, but had sent back to her family after unveiling her. After the unveiling, he discovered something which had not emerged in previous negotiations, as well as the fact that she was mute. He immediately ransomed her from captivity
Certainty: 2 Bohemond's efforts were all countered, while famine & disease also took their toll. As well as the failure of his different constructions before the determination of the Byzantines, he suffered other serious problems: food from the Dyrrachion area had all been used up, and the supplements he expected did not materialise. The mountain valleys of the Pindos had all been occupied, while the Byzantine fleet controlled the sea, preventing imports from Italy. Lack of food and fodder caused great problems for man and beast. The army ate millet, which proved unsuitable and led to dysentry [a Byzantine cliche about barbarian armies]. Many deaths resulted
Certainty: 2 Baldwin I used a fleet of Italian adventurers in an unsuccessful attack on Sidon. Baldwin I assembled a mixed fleet of Italians as allies for an attck on Sidon. There were Pisans, Genoese, Venetians, Amalfitans and pirates. In the meantime, Baldwin himself attacked with siege-towers on land. He attacked two towers in particular. He had nearly destroyed one, when he was stopped by the patriarch Arnulf of Choques, because it would be expensive to rebuild once the city was taken. The other, manned by sacriligious Provençal apostates, fell in the evening, but reinforcements arrived overnight. When the city was almost ready to fall, two fleets arrived to reinforce the city: one was from Egypt (a warning came from Acre but did not help), the other from Tripoli in N. Africa. These extensive reinforcements recaptured the harbour, taking three ships and killing the sailors. The day after the fleets arrived, an army came out of the city aiming at Baldwin's camp. After great losses on both sides (including Giselbert of Couvin), Baldwin remained in control of the field, but was advised to retreat, as mercenaries were coming from Damascus. He sent the wounded to Acre, burned his siege-engines and ships, left Sidon and went hunting, killing several boar. On arrival in Acre he was received with great joy, because with the burning and the delay, it was assumed he had been killed
Certainty: 2 Even while attacking Sidon, Baldwin I allowed a profitable raid across the Jordan. While attacking Sidon, Baldwin I heard that a rich noblewoman from Arabia had settled across the Jordan with countless flocks and herds. He decided to take the risk of sending the troops he had left to guard Jerusalem to make a raid. under the command of William, son of Robert of Normandy, whom he sent from Sidon. The expedition was a success. At the cost of some losses, William killed some of her men and captured her with children and many animals. Ransoms were high
Certainty: 2 Tughtakin of Damascus demanded payment from Sidon for an unnecessary relief expedition. Tughtakin of Damascus, whose imminent arrival had influenced Baldwin into give up his siege of Sidon, reached the city after Baldwin's army had left. Tughtakin still demanded the full agreed payment. When the people of Sidon tried to bargain, he attacked the city, but tired of the struggle and accepted a lower amount
Certainty: 2 Baldwin of Bourcq freed after payment of ransom by Joscelin of Courtenay. Baldwin of Bourcq, after nearly five years in captivity, was finally ransomed from Chokurmish of Mosul for a massive sum of money, largely raised by Joscelin of Courtenay. Baldwin immediately went to take over his city pf Edessa from Tancred. However this roused an old antagonism. Tancred was able to prevent Baldwin from entering Edessa, and in fact besieged him in Tuluppa. The faithful Joscelin had no other way of saving Baldwin than by calling in his old captor Chokurmish. The warring Frankish leaders were eventually reconciled, probably by the church, Bernard patriarch of Antioch and/or Benedict, archbishop of Edessa
Certainty: 2 Hamadat & Yaqut the tall struck great blows in a raid on Shayzar by William-Jordan. William-Jordan from Tripoli appeared at Shayzar, using Tourkopouloi as archers. They were first noticed by a farmer from al-'Ala, who thought they had lost their way. Usama's father Murshid and his uncle Sultan led the defence. During the fighting, a friend of Usama, Hamadat the Kurd, who was already an old man, killed a Frankish knight with one tremendous blow from his lance. Yaqut the tall, a mamluk of Murshid's who was always involved in crime, killed two riders (side-by-side) and their horses with one thrust of his spear, gaining forgiveness by this exploit for his latest escapade
Certainty: 2 Bertrand, son of Raymond of St-Gilles, was welcomed by Alexios I & took an oath to him. Bertrand of St-Gilles, duke of Tripoli, set out with large forces from Toulouse. All had sworn to go to Jerusalem, and they picked up a fleet at Genoa. They reached Halmyros, and began to forage by force. Alexios I invited him to Constantinople, where he gave him gifts in exchange for an oath, which would later prevent him attacking the Byzantine city of Mopsuestia with Tancred. Bertrand's arrival in the east would cause problems over the inheritance of Raymond of Saint-Gilles
Certainty: 2 Tughtakin killed Gervase of Bazoches at Tiberias. Tughtakin of Damascus attacked Tiberias in strength. He posted ambushes on all sides, then sent a small force with swift horses to lure the Franks into the trap. Gervase of Bazoches, lord of Tiberias took the bait. He and 80 of his men pursued the decoys, fell into the ambushes and all but two wer killed or captured. Tughtakin demanded territory as a ransom for Gervase. Baldwin I, though very dismayed by the events, offered cash instead, which the Turks refused. Finally Gervase was executed, his head was flayed and the skin used as a talisman
Certainty: 3 While the empress went home, Alexios I advanced to Pelagonia & Devol, avoiding confrontation. In spring, the empress Eirene went back to the capital from Thessalonike. Alexios I marched on via Pelagonia to Devol, with a new strategy of avoiding confrontation. He used the mountain barrier as a no-man's land between the armies, posting trustworthy officers in the mountains with ample forces to police the barrier and prevent contact. Despite his love of danger and willingnness to fight, he decided this time on a different course
Certainty: 2 Alexios sent letters & an apparent deserter to implicate Bohemond's lieutenants in treachery. He decided to sow seeds of discord in Bohemond's army by peaceful but fraudulent means. He consulted some of his western officers whom he trusted: Marinos sebastos from Naples, Roger (son of Dagobert) and Petros Aliphas. He asked them who were Bohemond's most trusted lieutenants and how they might be corrupted. He asked each of the above for a trustworthy man, and received good messengers. Via these, he sent fraudulent letters to Guy, Bohemond's brother; the count of Conversano (?), a certain Richard, and Richard of the Principate, together with others. The letters were composed as answers to letters Alexios pretended had been sent to him, trying to win his friendship and revealing Bohemond's secrets. His "answers" contained thanks and acknowledgement of good wishes, as well as promises of donations, guarantees for the future and encouragement to tell him everything. The messengers were told to deliver the letters in person to their recipients. Alexios also sent a good man of his own to follow these messengers, overtake them at the last moment and present himself to Bohemond as a deserter who hated Alexios. He told Bohemond of the letter-carriers, that they had just passed through Petroula, making him swear not to harm them
Certainty: 2 Bohemond did not know whether to believe the "deserter", but finally took no action. Bohemond was in a very difficult position. The words of the apparent deserter confirmed the terrible message of the letters he had intercepted, that several of his closest collaborators and indispensable lieutenants had treacherous dealings with Alexios I. But any immediate way of testing the truth of this information - for example, by asking his brother - might appear an open breach of trust, which might have consequences just as terrible. He spent a week without leaving his tent, then decided to do nothing. But Alexios had succeeded in his purpose of sowing doubts
Certainty: 2 Alexios I further blocked the passes & made four major appointments. Alexios I had already siezed the passes across the Pindos by picked men in strength, before the enemy could do so. He now added barricades of felled timber to strengthen his blockade of every route. At the same time he formalised commands elsewhere: Michael Kekaumenos at Avlon, Hiericho and Kanina; Alexander Kabasilas at Petroula; Leon Nikerites at Debar; and Eustathios Kamytzes guarding the passes of Arbana
Certainty: 2 Bohemond's brother Guy & other counts defeated two of Alexios' commanders. As battles began around Dyrrachion, Bohemond sent his brother Guy, with Kontopaganos and Sarakenos, against the Byzantines Kabasilas and Kamytzes. Since some villages bordering on the Arbana mountains had already come over to Bohemond, Guy had guides who knew the secret tracks in the mountains around Debar. Guy divided his forces: he would make a frontal assault on Kamytzes while Kontopaganos and Sarakenos, with guides from Debar, would attack from behind. This combined attack caused Kamytzes terrible losses. When he saw his men in flight, he joined them. Among the many casualties were Karas and Skaliarios. A further Byzantine commander, Alyates, who was protecting Glabinitza with other picked men, for some reason came down to the plain, to reconnoitre or to fight. He met a force of Normans which divided in two: he fought splendidly against the enemy in front of him, but was surprised by forces from behind. Alyates himself was killed instantly by the lance of Kontopaganos, and others died with him
Certainty: 2 Alexios sent Kantakouzenos to attack Mylos; he failed, but destroyed ships used for river crossing. Having suffered the defeat of other generals, Alexios called on Kanatakouzenos, the able man he had recalled from Laodikeia. A major attack could no longer be delayed, so Alexios explained to Kantakouzenos just what was needed; from the pass of Petra he sent him on to Glabinitza and himself returned to Devol. Kantakouzenos reached Mylos, attacked it with various machines, and soon had nearly captured it. The Normans camping across the nearby river Bouses ran to help. This movement was seen by Kantakouzenos' barbarian scouts, who came to Mylos, shouting as if in panic that the enemy were attacking. The false sense of crisis was transferred to the troops, who gave up the town that was within their grasp and fled wildly. Kantakouzenos, having failed to stop them, had them burn the siege engines: in the fire, the boats on the river, essential for enemy movement, burned too. The Byzantines camped in a place protected by water
Certainty: 2 (?) Bohemond defeated Alexios I at Bothilia, then returned to the siege of Dyrrachion. [This event does not seem to fit either the strategy or any particular tactics of this campaign, as shown in Anna Komnene. It may be a guess based on the events of 1081-1085.] In response to Bohemond's invasion, Alexios I brought up a great army to Bothilia (?), planning to attack Bohemond besieging Dyrrachion. Bohemond took the initiative and came to meet him and defeated him, then returned to the siege, redoubling his efforts, but to no effect; food and fodder were running short among the besiegers
Certainty: 2 Desperate struggle between Guy & Kantakouzenos, eventually won by the latter. Guy changed his focus from Kantakouzenos to Michael Kekaumenos in Hiericho and Kanina. Guy sent picked men who routed Kekaumenos' troops, as the terrain was in their favour. He then returned to Kantakouzenos, where the terrain was unfavourable. But Kantakouzenos himself decided to fight and crossed the river in battle formation, with the Pechenegs in front, the Turks to his left and Rosmikes with his Alans on his right. Each part of Kantakouzenos' army attacked the Normans in its own way, but the enemy kept their ranks and fought fiercely, till Kantakouzenos began to think of retreat. But at this moment he charged as if beginning the battle afresh, and the Norman formation shattered and fled to Mylos, with heavy casualties among the ordinary soldiers and the capture of several leaders: Hugh (of St Pol?), his brother Richard and Kontopaganos. They were sent to Alexios I. [Anna claimed to be exhausted by the mass of events and non-Greek names]
Certainty: 2 Beroites & Kantakouzenos defeated two further Norman attacks. Bohemond began to feel under pressure from sea and land. He sent a force to plunder the areas of Avlon, Hiericho and Kanina. However Beroites was sent to face them, and soon defeated them, also setting fire to the Norman fleet. Bohemond, undeterred, sent another force against Kantakouzenos. The latter's scouting was excellent, he knew they were coming, and was able to attack them at dawn as they slept on a river bank after marching all night. Many were killed in battle and by drowning, but more counts were captured and sent to Alexios I. Kantakouzenos withdrew to a camp at Timoros protected by marshes, following events in reports from his scouts
Certainty: 2 A Byzantine victory prevented the Normans using rafts, but was followed by a Byzantine defeat. Kantakouzenos heard of a hundred Normans making rafts to cross the river and attack a village beyond it. He attacked and captured most of them, including a huge cousin of Bohemond's, who was taken prisoner by a tiny Pecheneg. Alexios and Kantakouzenos organised a ceremony, in which the pigmy captor and gigantic prisoner played a starring role, causing great laughter. But Byzantine successes were interrupted by news of a massacre of the troops of Kamytzes and Kabasilas, which distressed Alexios I, without in any way making him downhearted
Certainty: 2 Destruction of a major foraging party from the besiegers of Dyrrachion. [Probably, like the episode set at Bothilia, constructed on the basis of other knowledge, especially the campaign of Guiscard; but this is closer to the reality of 1108.] Alexios I made conditions for Bohemond in the siege of Dyrrachion steadily worse, restricting food, keeping his fleet in Italy, defeating a major foraging party, resupplying the city and bribing Bohemond's colleagues, especially his brother Guy and William Claret, to work against him
Certainty: 2 Redistribution of Byzantine commands against Bohemond. At this point, Alexios I introduced new commanders into the campaign. Konstantinos Gabras was stationed at Petroula, to find out how the Normans had penetrated the valleys to carry out the recent massacre, and to prevent a recurrence. Gabras was disappointed at being given this minor mission. Marianos Maurokatakalon, related to Nikephoros Bryennios, was given a strong group of troops augmented by personal retainers of the imperial family and sent on a similar mission to that of Gabras, about which he too had reservations. But before Maurokatakalon had time to begin, he was transferred to a command at sea
Certainty: 2 Alexios I strengthened the blockade of the straits between Italy & Epiros. A very negative report was received from Landulph on the performance of the fleet commanders Isaakios Kontostephanos, his brother Stephanos, and Euphorbenos. Because of their laziness and lack of vigilance, ships bringing reinforcements and supplies to Bohemond had got through the blockade and delivered their vital cargoes. Alexios attacked Kontostephanos angrily, and succeeded in making him try harder. But he still kept watch in the wrong area, giving the enemy the advantage of the winds. Alexios had to draw him a map of the Adriatic with the harbours on both sides and instructions on the strategy to be adopted. When he received this, Kontostephanos did much better, following imperial orders, and successfully intercepted a convoy, burning some ships and sinking others. But before this news was reported to Alexios, he had become so concerned about letters from Landulf and the doux of Dyrrachion that he changed his plans. Maurokatakalon was put in charge of the fleet, and his other command was reassigned. He too was immediately fortunate in finding and capturing another convoy and its cargo, and afterwards carried out his command with vigilance and success, completely cutting Norman communications
Certainty: 2 Alexios I gave instructions to kill horses in raids on the Normans. Alexios remained near Devol, preventing desertions and sending a stream of orders to his commanders in the mountains about how to fight. He provided plentiful supplies of arrows and told his men to use them, charging on horseback, firing and retiring, with the rest of the army to provide help in need and deal with any enemies that got through. He told them not to bother firing at the well-armoured knights but to shoot their horses, reducing the formidable Norman cavalry to clumsy infantry. Though a passionate fighter, anxious to share the struggle with his men, he decided that this was the best way for him to organise the defeat of Bohemond
Certainty: 3 Death of Philip I of France.
Certainty: 2 Lands belonging to Lavra measured. Alexios I ordered his nephew Michael the logothetes to proceed with the geodaisia (measuring) of the region of Thessalomike. Measuring the lands of Lavra, Michael found them to be 51,403 modioi and 8 litrai, and left to the monastery 12,427 modioi on which tax was paid according to the census of Andronikos, krites & anagrapheus of Boleron, Strymon & Thessalonike (1047), 11,000 modioi of donated lands and the 16,000 granted by Alexios I
Certainty: 2 Baldwin I had Evremar of Choques deposed, & made Gibelin of Arles patriarch in his place. The patriarch Evremar of Choques visited Rome, where he defended himself against the charges of Baldwin I and Arnulf of Choques. He brought back a decree from pope Paschal II that he remain patriarch, despite claiming that election as patriarch had not been his idea. He also brought the aged Gibelin of Arles as a papal legate to inquire into the problem. When Baldwin and Arnulf insisted and would not accept the pope's words, it was agreed that Evremar be deposed from the patriarchate, but elected to the less crucial see of Caesarea, which had just lost its shepherd. Gibelin himself was unanimously appointed as patriarch in his place
Certainty: 1 Lavra granted property at Karyes by protos & hegoumenoi. The monastery of Megiste Lavra had a small kellion at Karyes, which the monks claimed to be too small to accomodate visiting monks. They therefore requested a neighbouring property, to be developed for the purpose. Thirty-four hegoumenoi agreed to the request and signed the relevant document
Certainty: 3 Bohemond's position near Dyrrachion became untenable, & he came to terms with Alexios (general factoids). [A very general summary of information provided, especially in western sources.] Bohemond had attacked Byzantine territory with huge forces, and Alexios met him. Bohemond besieged Dyrrachion for a year and damaged it, but was himself damaged just as much, leading to low morale, desertions, starvation and disease. Bohemond's brother Guy and the count William Claret were bribed to work against him. He finally accepted huge sums from Alexios to return to Italy. In the peace talks, Alexios swore to protect those in Bohemond's army who wanted to continue to Palestine as pilgrims, Bohemond to keep the peace. Bohemond took some of his army home while the rest continued eastwards
Certainty: 3 Bohemond, now desperate, made peace proposals. Mavrokatakalon was effectively blocking the straits, so nothing was arriving from Italy. Every time Bohemond's men left camp to forage or even to let their horses drink they were being slaughtered by Alexios I's men. As well as famine, a variety of serious diseases had attacked the Normans. Bohemond therefore made peace proposals to the doux of Dyrrachion. The noble William Claret, seeing the desperate state of Bohemond's army, deserted to Alexios with 50 knights, bringing details of the distress in the enemy camp. He was given the title of nobelissimos and well rewarded. When the doux of Dyrrachion passed on Bohemond's message, Alexios formally agreed to the opening of negotiations. He was always worried about dissension among the Byzantines, especially in the imperial family, and so decided not to aim at his enemy's complete defeat
Certainty: 3 Preparations for the meeting of the rival leaders (day 1). Bohemond would not go to Alexios without distinguished hostages. To discuss this and other issues, Alexios sent Marinos of Naples, Roger (son of Dagobert), Konstantinos Euphorbenos, and Adralestos, who knew the Norman language. They were to persuade Bohemond to come on his own initiative for negotiations with Alexios: whether agreement was reached or not, a safe return was guaranteed. Bohemond, to conceal sickness in his camp, came out to meet them. The envoys began with references to Bohemond's failure to fulfil past promises, but he cut them short, demanding that they get down to business. They gave full assurances of his personal safety and promised safe-conducts to his people, either to go home or for pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Bohemond in reply demanded that Alexios recognise his status: discussing nobles to come to meet him from Alexios' camp, whether Alexios would rise to greet him, take his hand and sit him on the seat of honour, whether past agreements should be raised, what officers he should take with him, and the necessity of obeisance to Alexios. The envoys compromised on some issues, but insisted that Alexios would not rise and Bohemond must do obeisance. Here night intervened: the envoys were not allowed free movement
Certainty: 3 Preparations for the meeting of the rival leaders (day 2). The next day, discussions resumed in front of Bohemond's counts, who, through Hugh, pressed him to make peace. There was a good deal of discussion: Bohemond was angry that his status was not fully recognised, but was mollified by general oaths to respect him, with repeated promises of safe-conduct. Oaths were sworn on the Norman side for the safety of Marinos of Naples, Roger (son of Dagobert) and Adralestos, who were to be the Byzantine hostages, left in the camp with Guy, till Bohemond's return. Two other opportunities were exchanged: Bohemond was allowed, under supervision, to move his stinking camp without danger of attack, and Euphorbenos was permitted a meeting with the doux of Dyrrachion, giving Alexios' instructions and receiving good news about the defence. Bohemond and Euphorbenos met at the new camp to go to Devol
Certainty: 3 Discussions reached stalemate, but were resumed & completed. Bohemond and Euphorbenos left the three hostages with Guy and travelled to Alexios' camp, sending Manuel of Modena (Manuel Modenos) to announce their coming. The ceremonies of his greeting and arrival were carried out exactly as decided. Alexios discussed past events discreetly, Bohemond made no reply. Alexios then insisted that Bohemond should become his subject, should order Tancred to hand over Antioch to him, as once promised, and should himself in the future honour the old agreements from the crusade. After more discussion Bohemond, with a spark of his old determination, said that he could make no such promises, and asked to be taken back to his camp. Alexios then declared that he would conduct him in person, and ordered the army to march to Dyrrachion. At this Bohemond withdrew, and asked to see Nikephoros Bryennios, who with all his well-known powers of persuasion convinced him to agree to most of Alexios' terms. They were formally agreed the next day
Certainty: 3 Treaty of Devol - Bohemond's undertakings.
Certainty: 3 Treaty of Devol - geographical delimitation of Antioch.
Certainty: 3 Treaty of Devol - witnesses. The signatures appended to the Treaty of Devol, representing both sides of the conflict, are given in summary form; they must have numbered around twenty
Certainty: 3 Alexios I arranged for Bohemond to go safely home & his men to winter where they were. After giving his oath to confirm the treaty of Devol, Bohemond asked for leave to go home, while his men should winter in reasonable comfort on Byzantine territory. In the spring, they should be allowed to go wherever they wanted. Alexios agreed, made Bohemond a sebastos, and gave him money. Bohemond went to his own camp, accompanied by Konstantinos Euphorbenos, whose role was to protect him from hostile troops, to make sure that the camp was well-situated and safe, and to provide for his men. Bohemond handed over his forces to Alexios' representatives, then crossed back to Italy. Within six months he was dead [inaccurate: he lived till 1111]. Alexios remained for a time in Epiros, settling the consequences of the war, then returned to the capital
Certainty: 3 Tancred raided Shayzar, lowering an archer in a box to capture an inaccessible cave. Tancred made a raid on Shayzar, attacking a cave in the mountains near Zelin. One of his Frankish knights, with the reputation of a devil, gained permission to be lowered in a wooden box to a point where he could fire arrows into the cave and capture the defenders
Certainty: 1 Hasanun took a horse to Tancred, & defeated all the Frankish horses in a race. Sultan, the ruler of Shayzar and Tancred of Antioch became reconciled after a battle. As a mark of this pact, Tancred asked for a horse, which was sent to him with Hasanun. Hasanun and the horse won all races against the Frankish knights and obtained a safe-conduct from Tancred
Certainty: 1 In attacking Franks at Asfouna, Faris the Kurd fought on out of integrity, though badly wounded. Usama's uncle Sultan and father Murshid were deceived by ayf al-Dawla Khalaf b. Mula'ib, the lord of Apamea. He proposed fighting the Franks with them at Asfouna, but once they began the fighting, he turned up and fought against them. Faris the Kurd continued struggling in this battle, despite serious wounds, persisting out of gratitude to his masters and sheer integrity. Fortunately he survived
Certainty: 0 Theophylaktos wrote to the bishop of Kitros, reporting Demetrios' death & his own sickness. Theophylaktos of Ohrid sent a melancholy letter to the bishop of Kitros. He apologised for not writing, but explained that his problems had been increased by the death of his brother Demetrios. Theophylaktos sought solace in his correspondent's prayers and expressed his fear that he might himself follow his brother soon
Certainty: 1 Theophylaktos wrote to the bishop of Debar, reporting Demetrios' death. Theophylaktos of Ohrid wrote to the bishop of Debar, who was away from his see. He informed him of the death of his brother Demetrios, and wished him a speedy return to his flock
Certainty: 2 Frank fighting Frank near Antioch, to fulfil pledges given to Muslim allies.
Certainty: 3 Chrysobull of Alexios I confirming exemptions on Lavra properties. Alexios I issued a chrysobull confirming various exemptions on the properties of Lavra and stipulating that the monastery had no fiscal obligation on the mills at Peristerai and Tzechlianes which had been transferred to the fisc
Certainty: 2 William-Jordan had success in expanding towards Damascus. William-Jordan of Cerdagne, successor of Raymond of Tripoli, had defeated Tughtigin in a great battle near the Mount of the Pilgrims, with great spoils. He now starved Arqah into submission, and increased his possessions towards Damascus
Certainty: 2 Alexios I sent out Eumathios Philokales against Turkish attacks in Asia Minor. Alexios was anxious to restore the coast of Asia Minor, as far as Smyrna and even Attaleia, to its old prosperity. He was approached by Eumathios Philokales, who expressed the same concern, and gave him the men and resources to begin. Philokales went to Adramyttion, a once populous place reduced to rubble by Chaka, and began to restore it, recalling the old inhabitants, who had scattered. A detachment of troops was sent against the Turks, who were located at Lampe. Philokales' men won a battle, but behaved with such extreme cruelty that survivors were able to enlist the pity of fellow-Turks for their sufferings. Philokales meanwhile reached Philadelphia, pleased with progress
Certainty: 2 Bertrand of Toulouse disturbed the status quo with Tancred & William-Jordan. Bertrand of Saint-Gilles reached Antioch and asked Tancred for the areas of the city once held by Bertand's father Raymond. Tancred wanted help to recover Mopsuestia from Alexios I. Bertrand refused this, though he did offer to join an attack on Jabala; the two then quarreled and Bertand left. Bertrand went on to Tortosa, taken by Raymond, and now held by William Jordan. Bertrand was received hospitably there, but then sent envoys to William asking for his paternal inheritance. William refused, saying it had been given to Wlliam and had long been defended by him. William had in fact been keeping up the siege of Tripoli for four years since his father's death. At this point, William Jordan sent a letter offering to make himself Tancred's vassal in return for help. Tancred agreed, and suggested that their first combined action should be to expel Bertrand from Tortosa. Bertrand realised that Tancred and William were conspiring to drive him out, so he left to join the siege of Tripoli by land and sea. Bertrand and William met outside Tripoli and disagreed over the inheritance of Raymond, since they were calculating in quite different ways. A solution could only be reached at a summit of Crusader leaders
Certainty: 2 Baldwin I held a summit of crusader lords at Tripoli, to settle outstanding grievances. When Baldwin received a request for aid from Bertrand, he sent Pagan of Haifa and Eustace Granarius to Tancred and William, calling a meeting of crusader lords at Tripoli to close ranks against the enemy. He also included Baldwin (II) and Joscelin of Courtenay, seeking to solve their grievances too. On the way to Tripoli for the summit he passed Tyre, Sidon and Beirut in peace, because their rulers paid him to spare their lands after the failed siege of Sidon. He was welcomed by Bertrand, who swore loyalty and looked to him to take Tripoli. Baldwin I convened the meeting with Bertrand, Tancred, William Jordan, Baldwin II and Joscelin. Results: (1) Reconciliations: Baldwin I and Tancred, Baldwin (II) and Joscelin, Baldwin (II) and Tancred, Bertrand and William. (2) Tancred received in his own right Haifa, the Temple, Tiberias and Nazareth with their revenues. (3) Bertrand took his inheritance leaving William with the lands he had won himself, especially Arqah
Certainty: 2 1,000 modioi of land granted to Lavra by Alexios I. Following a request from the monastery of Megiste Lavra, Alexios I transferred the tax paid on its former properties of Peristerai and Tzechlianes to other estates and granted the monastery another 1,000 modioi of land. He ordered Michael the logothetes, his nephew by marriage, to implement his decision
Certainty: 3 Capture of Tripoli. After the summit, Baldwin I joined Bertrand and the Geonese in an attack on Tripoli, which increased the morale of the attackers and reduced that of the defenders so much that it surrendered, on generous terms, after nearly seven years of siege. The population were confident that Baldwin could restrain the aggression and avarice of the Italian sailors, and were able to leave with what they could carry before the Christians burst in. But while Baldwin was negotiating, the Genoese stormed the walls with ladders and began a massacre. The surrender terms were kept near Baldwin, but not elsewhere. One woman who was being tortured to reveal where her money was hidden volunteered the information that 500 Egyptians were waiting in ambush to attack the Christians as they slept. The Egyptians were massacred, while she was set free and her wealth restored. Bertrand did homage for Tripoli to Baldwin. Two major cultural figures of Tripoli, Abu 'Abdallah al-Tulaytuli the grammarian and Ianis the copyist, were transferred to Shayzar by Usama's father Murshid and uncle Sultan. Fakhr al-Mulk b. 'Ammar, the ousted amir of Tripoli, later based his rule on Jabala
Certainty: 2 William-Jordan was killed by his own squire, so that Bertrand gained his lands.
Certainty: 2 Asan of Cappadocia attacked Philadelphia; Philokales divided & crushed his army. At Philadelphia Eumathios Philokales was attacked by Asan, ruler of Cappadocia, who gathered a large army by exploiting resentment against Byzantine atrocities at Lampe. Philokales had vigilant scouts and realised the approaching danger. He strengthened the gates of the city, but told his men not to show themselves. Asan surrounded Philadelphia, but when this provoked no reaction he decided that the garrison was tiny, that he should not waste energy on a siege (he had no siege machines) but begin plundering. He divided his army, sent some to Kelbianon, others to Smyrna and Nymphaion and the rest to Chliara and Pergamon. Philokales' full army was then able to attack the detachments in turn, first that going to Kelbianon, then that aiming at Smyrna, wiping out both with few survivors, some of whom were drowned in the Maiander. The other Turks escaped. Philokales rewarded his men generously
Certainty: 3 It was decided to attack Beirut, Baldwin I by land & Bertrand by sea. At the suggestion of Bertrand of Saint-Gilles, Baldwin I called the Franks to attack Beirut. Baldwin was to lead the assault on the landward side, while Bertrand and his Italian allies held the seaward side. As the siege progressed, Baldwin concealed a desperate plea for help which came from Baldwin of Bourcq at Edessa
Certainty: 1 In raids near Laodikeia Faris & a Frankish knight killed each other while reconnoitering. Faris the Kurd, the Muslim knight, was on reconnaisance between Jabala and Laodikeia, as was an anonymous knight from Laodikeia. They met and fought each other till they were both dead
Certainty: 1 Birth of Bohemond (II) in Apulia.
Certainty: 0 Theophylaktos wrote to Michael Pantechnes to console him on the death of his father. Theophylaktos of Ohrid heard of the death of Ioannes Pantechnes. He wrote an encomium of his many virtues and sent it to console his son, Michael
Certainty: 3 Baldwin of Edessa demanded aid from Baldwin I outside Beirut against a Turkish siege. Baldwin of Bourcq at Edessa wrote a desperate plea for help to Baldwin I as he was besieging Beirut. He said that a massive army from the east had been incited by Tancred to attack Edessa: its commanders were Ahmadil, the leader of the Kurds, Najm al-Din Ilghazi, the Urtuqid and Sukman ibn Artuq, the ex-ruler of Jerusalem. They had devastated the area, blockaded Edessa itself and were reducing its defenders to starvation. The request was at first ignored due to the need to capture Beirut
Certainty: 3 Capture of Beirut, as the amir fled to Cyprus. Baldwin I, Bertrand and their allies continued to attack Beirut for two months. There was considerable damage to the walls from siege-engines built from abundant local wood, and no sign of help coming from Egypt. The amir and other leaders decided to flee to Cyprus. The resulting situation was probably confused: wooden towers were pushed up to the walls, and the attackers bravely burst into the city, opening the gates to others. Albert of Aix talks of negotiations for surrender, but Fulcher does not; many of the inhabitants seem to have escaped with much of their wealth, but there was certainly a merciless slaughter of the remainder, with little booty. The Franks garrisoned Beirut and went back to Jerusalem
Certainty: 3 Baldwin I at Jerusalem after capture of Beirut, announced march to save Edessa. After garrisoning Beirut, then returning to Jerusalem, Baldwin I celebrated Whitsun there. He then revealed for the first time to his own men and Bertrand the letter received from Baldwin of Bourcq with a cry for aid. He inspired all present to march with him to save Edessa. He set out with Bertrand and a strong force to Edessa, picking up further contingents of Westerners and Armenians as he went, spending a month on the journey. As he arrived, the Turks withdrew a little from Edessa to Harran
Certainty: 2 Baldwin I rebuked Tancred for inciting the Turks to Edessa; Tancred accepted reconciliation. When Baldwin I reached Edessa, Baldwin of Bourcq welcomed him with the news that the Turks had withdrawn a little. He then repeated his charge against Tancred, that he had summoned the Turkish attack and given him no help. Baldwin I summoned Tancred to explain, and he admitted the refusal of aid, saying that Baldwin of Bourcq denied him the tribute once paid by Edessa to Antioch. The king explained that crusaders did not accept such previous gentile rules, that Tancred must stop placing himself outside the Christian fold and withdraw the grievance. Tancred listened to the rebuke and realised that all present agreed with the king. He accepted a reconciliation, returned to his crusader vows and became again an ally to his fellow-Christians
Certainty: 2 Baldwin I & Tancred drove off Turks, but with terrible losses at the Euphrates. Baldwin I and Tancred, now reconciled, made defensive preparations by filling Edessa and all the cities round about with food. They then attacked the Muslim army and routed it [or it made a tactical retreat]. But as they crossed the Euphrates [in retreat or pursuit?], an army of Armenians, probably belonging to Baldwin of Bourcq, was trapped on the wrong side by overwhelming numbers of Turks. The Frankish leaders could only watch helplessly as they were butchered. Baldwin of Bourcq [if he was present: William of Tyre believes he was not] only just escaped and was found weeping over his losses. The others escorted him back to Edessa
Certainty: 1 Unsuccessful Byzantine embassy to Tancred, asking for return of Antioch. Tancred ignored the treaty of Devol and would ignore the death of Bohemond, treating Antioch as his own property. Alexios felt that he had spent huge sums of money and enormous efforts in supporting the crusaders, but to no avail. He had acted both to save them from the Turks and to use them to expand Byzantine territory. He had succeeded in the first aim, but not the second. Tancred was determined to ignore the Byzantine contribution to his success, with ingratitude and insolence, disregarding treaties. An embassy was sent to him in these terms, including threats. Tancred's response was ludicrously boastful and completely intransigent
Certainty: 2 Large Egyptian fleet attacked Beirut & Acre, harrying Christian shipping. Bernard, Starcolf and William, captains of three ships from Flanders, put into Beirut on their way to Jaffa and Jerusalem. They arrived at the same moment as a Byzantine merchant ship, during a blockade of Beirut by a large Egyptian fleet, which was trying, without success, to retake the city. The Christian ships were eagerly pursued by the Egyptians. The three from Flanders were fast enough to escape, one to Haifa, two to shallow water nearby, where the crews were saved from land. The slower Byzantine ship was caught and plundered. The same Egyptian fleet then attacked Acre, nearly breaking the harbour chain and causing despair in the city. Messengers were sent to Edessa to bring back Baldwin I and Bertrand, who arrived with all speed
Certainty: 2 Sigurd Magnusson failed to provoke a battle at Askalon, making pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Sigurd Magnusson, the king of Norway, had spent two years sailing with a large fleet and army to Palestine. He anchored in Askalon harbour for several hours trying to provoke a battle, but without success. He then sailed on to Jaffa, en route to complete his pilgrimage to Jerusalem. As soon as Baldwin I arrived back at Jaffa from Edessa, Magnusson asked him for an escort to Jerusalem. He was given guidance around the holy places and hospitality there for some days of ceremonial. He and Baldwin then decided together to use the Norwegian fleet to attack Sidon
Certainty: 2 Baldwin I hurried from Edessa to help Acre, aid Jerusalem & greet Sigurd Magnusson. During his absence at Edessa, the people of Askalon attacked Jerusalem. The leaders of his garrison sent everywhere for aid, since they had to man much of the wall with clerics and women. The soldiers met the enemy outside and defeated them, taking prisoners and booty. A large Egyptian fleet simultaneously attacked Beirut and Acre. Baldwin I and Bertrand were brought back very quickly form Edessa. Baldwin sent men to help defend Acre, but went on himself to Jaffa, to meet Sigurd Magnusson and escort him to Jerusalem. Baldwin gave him guidance and hospitality there for some days of ceremonial. A decision was then reached to attack Sidon
Certainty: 2 Usama, his father & uncle, were out hunting when the army of Tripoli attacked Shayzar. Usama, with his father Murshid and his uncle Sultan, was out hunting when the army of Tripoli attacked Shayzar. The two elders crossed the Orontes back to Shayzar with no fear of the attackers. The young Usama was told by his father to cross the river by the dam, where there were no Franks, and so to return to the citadel
Certainty: 2 Expansionary moves of Tancred to the south. Tancred was expanding his power to the south: he stole Tortosa from Bertrand, and drove the Byzantines out of Laodikeia, which was given to his knight Martin, who became Martin of Laodikeia
Certainty: 2 Church of the Nativity at Bethlehem raised to cathedral status. Baldwin I undertook considerable negotiations within Jerusalem and with Rome in order to have the Church of the Holy Nativity at Bethlehem raised to cathedral status and re-endowed. The changes were all confirmed by a detailed edict [quoted by William of Tyre]
Certainty: 2 Hasanun was captured at Shayzar, mutilated, & ransomed with the gift of a horse. Tancred, duing a raid on Shayzar, captured Hasanun, to whom he had given a safe conduct a year before in connection with horse-races. He ordered the man's right eye to be removed. He was later freed in exchange for a ransom and a horse. Tancred reproached his knights for not fighting hard enough for fear of losing their horses; he promised them to replace the horses, and 70 of the horses died. However the attack remained unsuccessful. This was perhaps the attack of Tancred on Shayzar which ended without a truce, encouraging Sultan to go out hunting before the Franks had left the area; he observed their departure from a hilltop, then went on with the hunt
Certainty: 3 Brothers Romanos, Leon & Konstas divided between them their inherited properties at Thessalonike. Three brothers, Romanos, Leon and Konstas, had inherited from their father property in the area of Thessalonike. They decided, in the interests of family harmony, to divide their property into three. Leon and Konstas, who were illiterate, would share two of the thirds, while Romanos would keep the remainder. The two illiterate brothers asked Georgios Kynegiotes the kouboukleisios to explain in detail the stipulations of the written agreement, which was drawn up by Michael Strabomytes the taboularios. Kynegiotes and four other witnesses signed the agreement
Certainty: 3 Death of Kyrillos Phileotes. Kyrillos Phileotes in his 96th year he was still able to walk about during the summer, but in autumn he remained bedridden, not because of any illness but due to his old age. Later he lost control of his bladder, his voice weakened, and he was unable to move. The disciple supposed to look after him neglected him, and he remained bedridden soaked in his own urine, until Nikolaos Kataskepenos arrived, changed his clothes and bedding and washed his worm-infested sores with warm water. He survived several days without food. He talked to Nikolaos about the past, his wife, moderation in eating, his time in the navy, his facility in weeping, his refusal to interrupt his fasting (in case he could not start again) and his wish not to be buried in the church. After his death there were early signs of miracles
Certainty: 3 Six-week siege of Sidon with the aid of Sigurd Magnusson took the city. Baldwin I and Bertrand of Tripoli assaulted Sidon on land, while Sigurd Magnusson attacked the town on the seaward side.
Certainty: 1 Nikolaos Mouzalon resigned as archbishop of Cyprus. Nikolaos Mouzalon as archbishop of Cyprus seemed to have been definitively captured: however he was able to escape (by resignation), and went into the desert of monasteries near the capital, first one, than another
Certainty: 1 Typikon for Eirene Doukaina's monastery of Kecharitomene. Eirene Doukaina prepared a typikon to prescribe the activities and life-style of the nuns of her convent of the Kecharitomene. In particular she listed graded commemorations for members of the imperial family, for those already dead and for the rest after death, on the anniversary of their demise. The commemorations vary particularly in the amounts of bread, wine and coins set to be distributed on the anniversary at the monastery gate
Certainty: 1 Unsuccessful marriage of Eudokia, daughter of Alexios I. Alexios I married his daughter Eudokia to Michael Iasites. But Michael did not treat his wife like an emperor's daughter: he spoke and behaved towards her with superiority. This meant that he clashed very frequently with his mother-in-law Eirene Doukaina. As soon as Eudokia became ill, Eirene had her tonsured and drove Michael Iasites out of the palace
Certainty: 1 'Allan, son of Faris, made a splendid display, but his horse was speared & captured. 'Allan, son of Faris the Kurd, during Tancred's attack on Shayzar, was positioned absent-mindedly on an elevation of the ground, looking splendid on his excellent horse in his magnificent outfit. However, he was not paying full attention to his surroundings, his horse was speared and threw him, so he lost it
Certainty: 3 Death of Bohemond in Italy.
Certainty: 2 Unsuccessful attempt to negotiate surrender of Askalon.
Certainty: 2 Struggles over coronation of Western Emperor Henry V. Henry V, the king of Germany and western emperor, defeated his enemies and was crowned in Rome at St Peter's, thus preserving his patrimony
Certainty: 2 Problems of jurisdiction between churches of Jerusalem & Antioch. Baldwin I wrote to pope Paschal II asking that all his conquests should be ecclesiastically subject to the church of Jerusalem. Paschal replied, granting the request, confirming it with a letter to Gibelin of Arles, the patriarch. However Bernard of Valence, the patriarch of Antioch, protested to Paschale that the privileges granted to the church of Jerusalem over the conquests of Baldwin I might infringe the rights of the church of Antioch. Bernard received two letters of reassurance from Paschal, confirmed by another to Baldwin. [Five letters are quoted by William of Tyre, one by Fulcher of Chartres.]
Certainty: 2 Death of patriarch Nikolaos III Grammatikos, to be replaced by Ioannes IX Agapetos. Nikolaos III Grammatikos, patriarch of Constantinople, died. Alexios held his funeral in a magnificent way, then he had Ioannes IX Agapetos appointed in his place, visiting Hagia Sophia himself for the purpose, establishing him on the patriarchal throne
Certainty: 2 Alexios I triumphed over sickness & superstitious fear of his death. [This illness reported by Zonaras seems to be different from the gout described by Anna Komnene, and to be dated before the stay at the Chersonesos.] Alexios I fell sick, and seemed in danger of death. To help fight the disease, the covering of the famous mosaic at the Chalke was spread over him on his his sick-bed, and the symptoms immediately abated. He sat up and asked to wash and eat - an incredible recovery. Soon after, to convince doubters of his good health, he rode across the Forum on horseback. A subsequent rumour spoke of his death on Holy Saturday of this year. It affected not only the people, but also the government, and even Alexios himself. But the day passed without incident
Certainty: 2 All Tancred's allies came when summoned to fight a massive invasion from the east. To face the massive threat posed by the Isbasalar Mawdud, governor of Mosul, Tancred summoned all his allies. They included Joscelin I of Courtenay, Baldwin of Bourcq, Pagan of Saruj, Hugh of Cantalou, Richard of the Principate, Guy of Bresalt, William of Albin, Guy Le Chevreuil, Roger bishop of Tarsos, Peter of Narbonne, William, son of Robert of Normandy, Engelger of Apamea, Bonable of Sarmada, Guy Fresnel, Robert of Sudon, Roger of Montmarin, Pons of Talamria, Pakrad the Armenian, Kogh Vasil, Oshin, Atenellus and his brother Leon, Martin count of Laodikeia and Robert of of Vieux-Pont. From the south there came Baldwin I, Bertrand of Tripoli, Eustace Granarius, Walter Mahomet and the patriarch Gibelin of Arles
Certainty: 2 Huge but unsuccessful attack by Sharaf al-Din Mawdud on the county of Antioch. The Isbasalar Mawdud, governor of Mosul, assembled a huge army, with allies including Ahmadil the leader of the Kurds, Najm al-Din Ilghazi, the Urtuqid, and Sukman ibn Artuq, the ex-ruler of Jerusalem. The massive forces attacked Tell Bashir, making Baldwin of Bourcq appeal for aid to Baldwin I. The Turks are said to have tried unsuccessfully to drain all water from the surrounding mountains. When Mawdud failed to capture Tell Bashir, he divided his army, which was too big to supply easily: half went on towards Antioch, half went back to Khorasan, harried by Joscelin of Courtenay from Tell Bashir, who captured some supply waggons [Does this division mask conflict?]. Mawdud reached Aleppo, where the army hoped to leave the women and children. However Fakhr al-Mulk Ridwan, as an ally of Tancred, wished to show neutrality in the conflict, and refused to protect the Turks' families, giving his son as a hostage. The disappointed Mawdud thereupon publicly executed the hostage, continuing past Aleppo to camp at Shayzar. Tancred, who had gathered all his allies including Baldwin I, meeting them at Rugia and advancing via Apamea, approached him at Shayzar
Certainty: 3 Mawdud was brought to an inconclusive battle near Shayzar, & retreated. The huge army of Mawdud of Mosul and the Frankish army assembled by Tancred surveyed each other by the Orontes at Shayzar. The Turks were supported by the rulers of Shayzar, Usama's uncle Sultan and his father Murshid, who gave them the protection of the city walls. Mawdud was able to put pressure on local towns to prevent them selling food to the Franks and fodder for their horses, and from time to time hindered their access to water, making their position difficult. Some of the Christian forces made a reckless attack, became isolated and were driven back, forcing the Christian leaders to show the True Cross and charge. The Turks responded with a strategic retreat. The Christians also withdrew to Apamea, while the Turks soon came to the conclusion that they would achieve nothing and withdrew to Damascus, then back to Khorasan
Certainty: 2 Christian counter-attacks after retreat of Mawdud. Tancred conducted a long siege of al-Atharib, near Aleppo, battering its walls on all sides from positions protected against sallies from the garrison. The citadel fell and breached the walls, but the city could still be defended, so the besieged surendered on terms and kept their wealth. Baldwin I may have made an attack on Cerez (Sarepta Sydoniorum) [but this seems to have been confused in the sources with the attack on al-Atharib]. Tancred went on to attack Vetula, in the mountains near Jabala, for three months, in alliance with a local amir. His ally was responsible for attacking a side of the city where terrain was extremely difficult, and his men were exhausted by the work and defeated by a sally from the defenders. Tancred, however, persisted, the garrison left, and he took the town
Certainty: 2 Beginning of attack on Tyre hampered through delays of ally Alexios I. The people of Tyre had broken promises and paid no tribute. Thus Baldwin I set a day for forces to gather to capture the city. He began by seizing the treasures of Tyre, which were being escorted for safe-keeping in Damascus. The Tyrians had paid handsomely for Tughtakin to protect their treasures and send them troops. However the treasures did not reach their place of refuge, since they were betrayed by the Christian Reinfrid, who was also well paid to escort the treasures to Damascus, but betrayed the information to Baldwin I. He ambushed the convoy, took incredibly rich booty and gave much of it to his needy soldiers. He began the siege of Tyre, attacking strongly on the land side but more weakly at sea, since ships promised by Alexios I were delayed - allegedly by bad weather. Baldwin fortified the besieging positions to prevent surprises and showed his usual determination. His men were resting when they faced a sortie, which was repulsed with difficulty. But many attackers exploited the situation by entering Tyre together with the defenders. However the defenders turned the tide of battle again by shutting the gates and massacring those inside, like William of Wanges and another William
Certainty: 2 Suppression of revolt of Michael of Amastris at Akrounos. Michael of Amastris, the governor of Akrounos, rebelled, seized the city and ravaged neighbouring territories. Alexios I sent Georgios Dekanos with a strong force to attack him, and after three months he succeeded. Michael was taken to Alexios, who appointed another governor and glared terrifyingly at him, threatening many punishments: he panicked and expected death, but only briefly, since Alexios soon freed him and gave him many presents
Certainty: 1 Alexios I sent envoys & money via Tripoli to turn crusaders against Tancred. When Alexios I's envoys had reported Tancred's refusal to consider giving up Antioch, he had been furious and keen to mount a campaign against him at once. But his advisors had urged caution, and the need to detach some local allies from supporting him. Therefore Alexios now sent Manuel Boutoumites and another envoy with relevant language skills to go to Bertrand at Tripoli. They were given detailed instructions as to whom to approach and how, in the effort to recruit allies against Tancred, and were to receive a large sum of money and ships by Eumathios Philokales on Cyprus. When they reached Tripoli via Cyprus they found that Betrand was sympathetic and loyal to Alexios. With his agreement, therefore, they deposited the money for safe-keeping in the bishop's palace in Tripoli, to be recovered and used when their plans were more concrete. Baldwin invited them to meet him, through his nephew Simon
Certainty: 2 Alexios wintered in the Chersonesos, to defend against a western fleet & Melikshah on land. Alexios' problems fell thick as snowflakes: in particular the imminent arrival of a fleet from various areas in Italy to ravage coastlands, and the amir Melikshah who came from the east to attack the maritime areas of Asia Minor. Alexios needed to be in a strategic spot where he could control both fronts, so he built a temporary base on the Thracian Chersonesos. He took with him Eirene the empress and the womwn of the court, even in winter. Land forces were positioned at Adramyttion and in Thrakesion. Konstantinos Gabras defended Philadelphia, Monastras guarded the area of Pergamon and Chliara. Other coastal cities were also well protected, while Alexios dispensed constant advice and demands for vigilance. At sea, ships were stationed at Madytos and Koiloi to patrol the straits, others to sail among the islands and keep an eye on the Peloponnesos
Certainty: 2 Alexios stricken with gout by a polo accident & listening to endless petitions. He was made seriously ill by attacks of gout which lasted till his death. This gout was not congenital, nor the result of overindulgence in food and drink. One reason was a polo accident: he had been practicing with Tatikios, and the latter, a heavy man, fell from his horse on to Alexios' leg, injuring his kneecap and causing increasing problems for the whole foot. The more obvious cause was exhaustion from listening to petitions. The numerous westerners resident in the capital liked to put petitions in person, and Alexios liked to solve them in discussion, fearing the men's pugnacity. He would sometimes spend all day motionless and without food, listening to them. Zonaras locates these sessions at the Philipation, gives prominence to the preparation of written answers, and dates them a little later, during the empress' illness. [According to Anna Komnene, the Latins refused all regulation for these discussions, their volubility overcoming all reason. He bore this without complaint. Zonaras makes this a general problem without specific reference to Latins.]
Certainty: 2 Visit to Shayzar of heroic Frankish knight, wounded in the battle against Mawdud. During the battle at Shayzar between Tancred's allies and Mawdud, a Frankish knight had been caught up among the Muslim forces and badly wounded. However he had continued fighting heroically and eventually succeeded in rejoining his comrades. Two months later, the same knight appeared at Shayzar with a letter from Tancred explaining who he was, and asking to see the knights he had fought
Certainty: 2 Careful Byzantine preparations & vigilance made the western fleet depart without an attack. The western fleet sailed eastwards, sending five ships to take prisoners and learn about Byzantine defences. They had reached Abydos when four of them were captured with their crews, leaving the fifth to return to the fleet. It reported that special defensive forces were in place, co-ordinated and encouraged by Alexios, who was wintering in the Chersonese. This news discouraged the fleet, which decided to go elsewhere to find easier pickings. One Norman captain from this fleet took his ship to Tyre, bringing news of the emperor's success to Baldwin I. Alexios waited till he was sure the westerners had gone home, then returned to Constantinople
Certainty: 2 Mangonels & two huge towers failed to capture Tyre. The siege of Tyre began with mangonels, but they failed to destroy the walls. Then Baldwin I and Eustace Granarius each built a huge tower, which overlooked the whole city and seemed destined to ensure its capture. They seemed impregnable till they were burned by flaming circles thrown from trees, with great loss of life. Taller towers built on the walls turned the tide of battle in favour of the defence. But the Tyrians were still desperate, seeing that Baldwin was unrelenting. They therefore offered Tughtakin of Damascus a great sum to save them. He came with a large army to attack Baldwin
Certainty: 3 Eudokia, wife of Stephanos Rasopoles, proved she was vey poor & sold her property. Stephanos Rasopoles, a protospatharios at Thessalonike, was unable to provide for his family because of the harsh times and successive bad harvests, and so his children were reduced to begging and his wife Eudokia resolved to sell to Docheiariou her property of Ison at Bryai. When potential buyers of her abandoned property hesitated because of the law prohibiting the sale of an estate given as part of a dowry while a marriage is still valid, she requested permission from Andronikos Doukas, praitor and doux of Thessalonike and Serres, to proceed with the sale. She was questioned before witnesses by Ioannes Melidones, protokouropalates & krites (at the instigation of Elpidios Chandrenos, protoproedros & logariastes) about the truth of her claims of poverty. She was then given permission to sell the estate. She agreed a price with Neophytos, hegoumenos of Docheiariou, of 28 nomismata for the estate with all its rights and privileges. Kyriakos Strabomytes, klerikos of Acheiropoietos (Thessalonike) drew up the relevant document, which was explained to Eudokia and her husband Stephanos by Nikolaos Kontopaulos, kouboukleisios and archidiakonos of Hagios Demetrios (Thessalonike). They then both signed it with a cross. The document contains the names of 22 witnesses to the questioning of Eudokia by Ioannes Melidones
Certainty: 2 Byzantine ambassadors present during failure of attack on Tyre. Simon led the two Byzantine ambassadors from Tripoli to Tyre, which Baldwin I was besieging. Baldwin welcomed them and kept them there for the 40 days of Lent. They saw Baldwin attacking three outer circuits of fortifications beyond the strong inner walls. He had ruined the first two, and was close to taking the third when he lost interest and slackened his efforts. The Tyrians used this opportunity, under the cover of spurious peace negotiations, to prepare a counter-attack, with pitch in earthenware jars. These were fired at Baldwin's siege-engines, soaking them in combustible material. Then blazing brands were fired at them, together with other jars containing naptha. All were reduced to ashes, and six soldiers manning them were captured, beheaded and the heads shot into Baldwin's camp. The whole Frankish army fled towards Acre, despite Baldwin's furious attempts to stop them. Finally he could only follow. [This version of the siege of Tyre has been given less credence than that of Albert of Aachen narrated here in other units.] The ambassadors sailed to Acre on their twelve Cypriot ships. There they gave Baldwin Alexios' message in full, pretending that he had already reached Seleukia, to frighten Baldwin. Unfortunately Baldwin knew this was untrue, having spoken to a captain from a fleet forced to return westwards because of Alexios' vigilance. He censured the envoys, telling them that Alexios had been kept back by illness. He invited them for Easter in Jerusalem
Certainty: 3 The sickness of the empress brought Alexios I from the Chersonesos to the capital. When spring came after winter in Thrace, Alexios did not move from the Chersonesos. However the empress Eirene fell ill. He sent her home in the imperial trireme, while he remained reviewing the military registers, till he heard that she had reached the palace. He then made the same journey himself in one day. While the empress recovered, he spent the time in adminstrative matters, largely hearing and replying to petititons at the Philopation. [Anna Komnene describes these sessions on petitions a little earlier, connects them particularly with Franks in the capital, and makes them a cause of Alexios' gout.]
Certainty: 3 Tughtakin of Damascus, hired by the Tyrians, killed foragers & raised the siege. On the very day that Tughtakin arrived outside Tyre, he almost exterminated a big force of Christians searching for fodder for their horses. This bad news seriously discouraged Baldwin, and he withdrew to spend Palm Sunday in Jerusalem with the recently-arrived Byzantine ambassdors
Certainty: 3 Byzantine ambassadors hospitably shown full Easter ceremonial at Jerusalem. The Byzantine ambassadors who came to Baldwin I at Tyre followed him via Acre to Jerusalem. Gibelin of Arles the patriarch advised Baldwin, as he had just been defeated in the siege of Tyre, to wear his crown and put on the full Easter ceremonial for the Byzantines. He raised with the envoys the question of the money they had brought with them to turn the local princes against Tancred. They asked him to guarantee help against Tancred, but it soon became plain that, though he wanted the money, he had no intention of doing what was needed to get it, and the letter he wrote was non-committal. The envoys had a similarly disheartening interview with Joscelin of Courtenay, who had come for Easter worship in Jerusalem. They enjoyed all the Easter ritual with Baldwin from Palm Sunday onwards, then left, apparently with splendid gifts
Certainty: 2 Byzantine ambassadors with difficulty recovered from Pons of Tripoli monies deposited there. When the envoys reached Tripoli from Jerusalem, they found that Bertrand had died and his son, Pons, was much less co-operative than his father. He delayed handing over the money stored in the bishop's palace, and the bishop was his accomplice in the delay. The envoys tried threats: they would cut off the supplies from Cyprus and other help from its doux which had been available, and specially useful in times of famine. In the end they decided to have Pons swear a solemn oath of allegiance to Alexios I in return for the part of the treasure designated for Tripoli (gold, silver and fabrics), provided they received back the remainder. They took that to Cyprus and bought with it pedigree horses from Damascus, Edessa and even Arabia. They went by sea to the Pamphylian Gulf (Attaleia?), then by land, the safer route, to Alexios at the Chersonese near the Hellespont
Certainty: 2 Melikshah lost a battle & sent envoys, who were persuaded into peace on Byzantine terms. Of the troops sent by Melikshah from the east, some came via Sinaos, others via the old Roman province of Asia. The first to make contact was Konstantinos Gabras from Philadelphia. He met them at Kelbianon, charging at the head of his men at full gallop, and winning a victory. Melikshah sued for peace. His ambasasadors were received in an impressive ceremony organised by those in charge of such things, with the Varangians and soldiers of every nationality. Alexios then put his point of view with such skill that he was able to persuade them to accept his terms unchanged. In such matters his purpose was always to promote the interests of the Empire rather than personal advantage
Certainty: 3 Authenticity of will of Symbatios Pakourianos (1090) confirmed by Georgios Nikaeus. Georgios Nikaeus, krites of the velon, confirmed the authenticity of a copy of the will of Symbatios Pakourianos, which he had held among his papers from the time when he was koiaistor. He signed and sealed it, and added to it the declaration of the epitropissa (Kale, Symbatios' wife)
Certainty: 2 Several prominent Turks with armies appeared from the east, making destructive raids. Soon after Alexios reached the capital from Kallioupolis with the Empress (who was treating his gout), an attack was reported from huge Turkish armies from all corners of the east. He crossed to Damalis: the next day his chamberlain told him the Turks had attacked Nicaea, and he received a letter with details from its governor, Eustathios Kamytzes. He left at once to go there, driving a chariot himself, smiling and chatting to his troops, who admired his courage but pitied his ill-health. He reached Aigialoi and the crossing to Kibotos, where the Empress said farewell and returned to the capital. At Kibotos he heard that the Turkish commanders had divided: some were plundering Nicaea and its surrounds, Monolykos and one other were devastating the coast. Those who had attacked areas by the Lake of Nicaea, Prousa and Apollonias had all their booty in a camp near Apollonias; they had then gone on to ravage the area of Lopadion, even capturing Kyzikos from the side of the sea, its governor surrendering disgracefully at the first assault. Kontogmen and the amir Mouchoumet were marching through the Lentiana mountains to Poimanenon with plenty of booty and prisoners - everyone who had survived. Monolykos had crossed the Barenos to Parion and Abydos on the Hellespont, then on to Adramyttion and Chliara, with all his prisoners, without fighting. Alexios, hearing this, ordered Kamytzes to take a small force, keep in touch with the Turks without a battle, and send reports
Certainty: 2 Bedouin in Valley of Moses plundered to pay Baldwin's troops. Baldwin I, needing money to pay his troops, went to the Wadi Musa, where he found rich Bedouin. He captured them and their riches - silver, gold, jewels and spices - or took many of them for ransom to prison in Jerusalem
Certainty: 2 Death of patriarch Gibelin: Arnulf of Choques chosen canonically (for the first time) in his place. After the death of Gibelin of Arles, Arnulf of Choques was chosen canonically (for the first time) in his place. But he still lived an unchaste life. He soon married his neice Emelota to Eustace Garnier, with Jericho, a rich possession of the Church, as her dowry. He would later reform the canons of the Jerusalem church, and encourage Baldwin I to break his marriage bond with Adelaide of Salona
Certainty: 2 Negotiations between Paschal II & Alexios I over a planned council in October, 1113. Alexios I wrote to pope Paschal II on re-establishing the unity of the church. The envoy carrying the letter, Basileios Mesemerios, was praised by Paschal for his zeal in this cause. Paschal's reply (which alone is preserved), lamented the current division, which he ascribed to Constantinople's loss of love and obedience towards Rome: it no longer corresponded with the see of Rome or received its messengers, unlike its previous positive stance. Paschal set out Rome's terms for union: the patriarch of Constantinople must recognise the primacy due to Rome, as laid down by Constantine and the councils, and the metropolitans and provinces lost from RomeâÂÂs jurisdiction must be given back, restoring relations between Rome and Constantinople to their former state. Differences of faith and custom could not be settled till all members of the church were united with its head. He called for a council to be held, at a location chosen by Alexios, to meet the following October (1113). He sent four legates, Maurus, bishop of Amalfi; an anonymous abbot; Hugh, a Roman presbyter; and a sudeacon of the Roman see. He asked Alexios to respond quickly so that the necessary arrangements could be made
Certainty: 3 Death of Tancred; Roger of Salerno became Prince of Antioch. Tancred died, leaving Antioch to Roger of Salerno, whom he had summoned from the west as his heir. It was said that the rights of Bohemond II in Apulia were not being respected. [Was Roger prince, or regent of Antioch?]. However there was a stipulation in Tancred's will that if Bohemond (II) should claim his inheritance, it should be resigned to him. Tancred on his deathbed advised his wife Cecilia to marry Pons of Tripoli, and also advised Pons to marry Cecilia. This advice, after a decent interval, was followed
Certainty: 3 Eclipse of the sun seen in Palestine. Fulcher of Chartres observed a partial eclipse of the sun in Palestine
Certainty: 3 Sharaf al-Din Mawdud & Tughtakin attacked Tiberias for three months. The isbasalar Mawdud went with a large army to Damascus to collect Tughtakin and attack the northerly lands of Baldwin I in an unpredictable way, and finally drive the Franks from Jerusalem. The Muslim armies camped at the Sea of Galilee, in a secure spot ideal for setting ambushes, took Mt Tabor and assaulted Tiberias for three months, plundering widely. Baldwin I was informed by Armenian messengers of the junction of the Muslim forces and their serious intent, and immediately sent for Pons of Tripoli and Roger of Antioch
Certainty: 2 Kamytzes, doux of Nicaea, defeated the Turks but was then captured by them. Kamytzes received Alexios' orders but disregarded instructions not to fight a battle. He caught up with Kontogmen and the amir Mouchoumet at Aorata and attacked at once, scattering the Turks, who thought he was Alexios (whom they were expecting). When they learned from a Pecheneg that this was Kamytzes, they reassembled their army and approached him at Aorata, where he was still sorting out their booty and prisoners, not realising that he needed refuge in a fortress like Poimanenon. When his army saw the huge Turkish force, most of them fled at once, and most of those who fought (chiefly Pechenegs and Normans) were killed. Kamytzes fought on, receiving a horse from his nephew Katarodon when his own was killed. He struggled on for some time, and the admiring Turks decided to spare him. Mouchoumet, who knew him, dismounted and offered his hand, which the exhausted Kamytzes took. He was shackled to a horse
Certainty: 2 Tyrians attacked passing pilgrims, but were defeated by Baldwin, their escort. Baldwin was begged by a large group of poor pilgrims to escort them northwards past Tyre. He agreed, but first used them as bait to bring a Tyrian army out from the city. He defeated the Tyrians, killing many of them and driving the rest back to the city. The pilgrims returned nervously to Acre
Certainty: 3 Baldwin I badly defeated by Mawdud & Tughtakin near Tiberias. Baldwin I was angry at the trouble caused by Mawdud and Tughtakin near Tiberias and impatient for the arrival of Roger of Antioch and his other allies. Only a part of the army of Tripoli was present. He collected his own troops, including the poor pilgrims, and camped over the Jordan near Tiberias. As he approached the strong Turkish camp, they sent out a small and apparently careless force to entice the Franks to attack. They did attack, too recklessly, and suddenly found themselves facing the main Turkish army, which routed them with heavy losses. [According to Albert of Aachen, Mawdud and Tughtakin withdrew to Mt Tabor, as if seeking to escape from Baldwin. They sensed that he was impatient and might fight without allies, so they left for him the camp site which they had just vacated. When the Christians placed themselves in the trap, the Muslims swept back in enormous force and routed Baldwin's troops with heavy losses in infantry and cavalry, including Rainier of Brus and Hugh]. Baldwin also lost his standard and his baggage. The Christians' Muslim servants and the Muslim villagers from their territories turned against them, causing fear and polarity in society
Certainty: 2 After the defeat, a time of stalemate & fear; then the Turks left to attack Byzantium. Roger of Antioch and Pons with the rest of the army of Tripoli reached Jerusalem just after the defeat of Baldwin I near Mt Tabor, feeling frustrated that they had been unable to prevent it. Baldwin raised another army, augmented by fresh pilgrims, and the combined forces moved against Mawdud and Tughtakin, who were continuing assaults near Tiberias. For some weeks the Franks remained in their high camp, gaining yet more pilgrims, and the Turks in their low camp, neither able to attack the other. This was a period of great fear among the crusaders: Fulcher of Chartres, who was probably in Jerusalem, speaks of difficulties in communicating from there to the king, and an assault on Jerusalem from Askalon. The two Turkish leaders continued to pose a threat for two months, but then withdrew into Anatolia and attacked lands belonging to the Byzantine Empire
Certainty: 3 Two earthquakes felt in Jerusalem. Fulcher of Chartres reported feeling two earthquakes in Jerusalem, some three weeks apart
Certainty: 2 Baldwin of Edessa drove out his cousin Joscelin, who was made lord of Tiberias. There had been a period of famine in Edessa and comparative affluence in the lands of his cousin Joscelin of Courtenay. This led to rumours that Joscelin was expressing contempt for Baldwin. The latter therefore feigned illness and summoned his cousin, reminding him that he had given him his lands. He then told him to give them up and leave. Joscelin went south to Jerusalem to tell his story to Baldwin I, saying that he was returning to France. Baldwin, to keep such a vital man, made him ruler of Tiberias, which he governed energetically, harrying Tyre
Certainty: 2 Adelaide of Salona arrived to marry Baldwin I, bringing great wealth. Baldwin I sent envoys to Sicily for hand of Adelaide of Salona, telling them to promise anything to win her and her wealth. Adelaide and Roger II of Sicily agreed, stipulating that if the marriage was childless, Roger should inherit. Baldwin repeated the promise when she arrived. Roger gave her rich subsidies for the journey: she brought huge supplies of money, nine splendid ships and substantial forces. Baldwin found her at Acre when he returned from the campaign around Tiberias. Some ships were blown off course to Askalon, but managed to escape, destroying one Egyptian ship. The patriarch Arnulf of Choques plotted to deceive Adelaide, hiding the fact that Baldwin I was not free to marry her, as his Armenian second wife was still alive
Certainty: 2 The wedding of Adelaide & Baldwin was accompanied with every kind of luxury. The ceremonies of Adelaide's arrival and marriage were of amazing beauty and luxury, in clothing, decoration of streets and horses, and music. Great treasures were given to the soldiers or placed in the royal treasury. Roger of Antioch also took home rich gifts
Certainty: 2 Alexios I defeated the Turkish invaders at the battle of Akrokos. With Kamytzes now a prisoner, Alexios guessed where the Turks would go, and tried to reach their goal by a faster route, via Nicaea, Malagina and the Basilika (valleys on Mt Olympos). He came down to Alethina and Akrokos. The Turks, unaware of his presence, rested in the valley of Tepeia. Alexios was told their position, and prepared his forces at a distance. Konstantinos Gabras and Monastras were in the van, the two wings were in small groups, the rear was commanded by Tzipoureles and Ampelas. He commanded the centre and organised the whole. He struck like a thunderbolt, killing many and capturing others. Many of the remainder took refuge in a reed-bed, which he set on fire, driving them at his troops, who again killed some and captured others
Certainty: 2 Losses in the rearguard of the Byzantine army soon after Akrokos. The battle of Akrokos was a disaster for the Muslims who had come via Karme. The survivors continued to flee, pursued by Alexios I. But the pursuer was also pursued. Mouchoumet and others heard of the disaster, gathered some Tourkomans living in Asia and pursued Alexios. They first caught up with Ampelas, who was fighting under imperial eyes and therefore bolder than usual. He charged immediately, without waiting a little to receive the Muslim attack in good order, and was followed by Tzipoureles. They reached an ancient fortification before their men could join them, and there they were caught by Mouchoumet, a very determined fighter. First Ampelas, then Tzipoureles had his horse shot from under him, and was then killed on foot. But the Byzantine rearguard rallied and routed these Turks
Certainty: 2 Kamytzes escaped to Alexios I, then reported events in the capital. Kamytzes, prisoner of the Turks attacking the Byzantine rearguard, took the chance to escape, and received a horse from a Norman. He galloped off and found Alexios I camped between Akrokos and Philadelphia. He was received with enthusiasm and sent to the capital to tell his story and reassure the imperial family that the emperor was well, but grieving for Ampelas and Tzipoureles, being as concerned over losses as over victory, as always. He was going to settle things in the area of the war, putting Georgios Lebounes in command, then follow Kamytzes to the capital. The latter crossed on a small boat from Damalis in the middle of the night. He knocked on the gate of the upper palace facing the sea, knowing the empress was there. After some problem in gaining admittance, he met the empress on a balcony near her bedroom door. She was delighted to see him, though disturbed by his Turkish clothes and wounds in both legs. She told him to sit, asked about Alexios, heard the whole story of the victory and was overcome with joy. She told Kamytzes to rest till dawn and then make a public announcement. He woke early, mounted a horse and went to the Forum of Constantine, gathering an excited crowd. He told them of the emperor's victory, then his own strange story. The cheering was deafening. The people escorted Kamytzes to his house. A week or two later they welcomed Alexios I to the city as victor. He then returned to his usual activities, administering the empire and dispensing justice, whilst trying to deal with his chronic sicknesss
Certainty: 2 Returning pilgrims caught in an attack by Mawdud on Byzantine city of Myra.
Certainty: 2 Tughtakin, envious of Mawdud's fame, probably had him killed in Damascus. When Mawdud returned from Anatolia, where he had increased his already high reputation, he was killed by four Ethiopians while praying in Damascus. Tughtakin mourned Mawdud as if he were not implicated in his death, but there were firm rumours that he was guilty of murder for reasons of envy, and he later suffered for it
Certainty: 2 Ismailis attacked the citadel of Shayzar.
Certainty: 3 Earthquake in Jerusalem.
Certainty: 2 Plague of locusts, apparently in Antioch & Palestine.
Certainty: 3 Alexios I moved to counter a Cuman invasion & reform Manichaeans of Philippopolis. There were rumours of a Cuman invasion, so Alexios I raised troops and stationed them in Philippopolis, Petritzos, Triaditza and Nis - and even in Branicevo - with orders to prepare their horses ready for battle. The base was at Philippopolis, a grand but run-down city full of heretics, especially Manichaeans. Alexios was accompanied by the empress Eirene and other women of the court, and they pitched camp near the foothills of Mt Papikion
Certainty: 3 Destructive earthquake at Mopsuestia. No persons mentioned. [Another, similar earthquake in the same city is reported for 1115 by Fulcher of Chartres, probably erroneously]
Certainty: 3 Massive earthquake shattered Antioch, completely destroyed Mar'ash & damaged al-Atharib. One of the most terrible earthquakes known to history struck Antioch and the whole area. As well as horrendous damage in the city, there were also reports that Mar'ash had been totally destroyed with its lord (probably not still Richard of the Principate?) and its bishop. Similar news came from Mopsuestia (where the earthquake may have struck a fortnight earlier), and al-Atharib. At Antioch, Roger of Salerno examined all his own damaged buildings, decided which it was essential to repair for reasons of security and gathered the necessary materials; he completed the work by spring of the next year, when he had to leave to prepare defences against Bursuq. He also set in motion the work of the doux, Radulf of Acre, who summoned the viscount, praetor, herald and judge and discussed the damage and security issues with them. The damage was assessed, and local landowners entrusted with the work, according to the size of their holdings. The patriarch Bernard of Valence, with his calm faith and fervent intercessions calmed Antiochenes of all races and tongues after their terrible physical and psychological experience in the earthquake. He declared a three-day fast and established a profound mood of contrition. He also had to deal with panic at the news from neighbouring cities
Certainty: 1 Theophylaktos replied to Tibanios the Armenian (extract). Theophylaktos, archbishop of Ohrid, wrote to Tibanios (Tigranes ?) the Armenian, explaining why his correspondent was wrong over the nature of Christ
Certainty: 2 Bursuq ibn Bursuq attacked northern Syria, capturing Hama & advancing towards Shayzar. Muhammad Shah, the Seljuq sultan of Iran, sent Bursuq b. Bursuq as his isbasalar to attack the Franks and dissident Muslims in Syria. [Albert of Aachen gives him as colleagues Cocosander of Lagabria (unidentified) and Ridwan of Aleppo (who had died previously)]. Bursuq and his many amirs arrived aggressively in Syria in August, crossed the Euphrates and stopped at Salinas for recuperation. Then he went on via Salamyah to Hama, which he besieged and stormed, expelling or killing the aristocrats and installing his own garrison. He finally camped at Shayzar (where Mawdud had camped), facing the enemy position at Apamea. At Shayzar he was not invited into the city, though given generous presents from the ruler Sultan, via his brother Murshid (Usama's father), who offered himself as a knowledgeable local guide. The army lived in caves on the Orontes bank, and pillaged widely in Christian lands
Certainty: 2 Tughtakin of Damascus helped forge a coalition against Bursuq. Tughtakin realised that his implication in the death of Mawdud made him as odious as the Franks to easterners like Bursuq, and so he sent gifts to Roger of Antioch and Baldwin I to forge a Christian-Muslim coalition in Syria against the eastern invasion. Najm al-Din Ilghazi, the Urtuqid, was also involved, though he is much less mentioned. Tughtakin and Ilghazi arrived at Aleppo, claiming to be supporting its young ruler Sultan-Shah: rumours circulated that they really wanted to betray Sultan-Shah to Muhammed the sultan of Iran. [As events transpired, they were more likely to be defending Sultan-Shah from Muhammed.] The allies discussed where to set their defensive position, and decided on Apamea, adopting Roger's prediction of the line of Bursuq's attack, which proved correct. Roger left loyal men to garrison both city and citadel; he prepared military supplies, heard Mass and prayed in the churches of St Mary the Virgin, St Peter and St Paul and St George, left the city and his possessions in the charge of the patriarch and went to war. His Christian army was smaller but better than those of his Muslim allies. Because of this co-operation, Robert fitzFulk counted Tughtakin as a friend, and had even at the time offered him as a sign of hospitality that, provided he did not take any captives, his army could go through his lands and pillage them
Certainty: 3 Till the Cumans invaded, Alexios moved to Philippopolis to convert the Manichaeans there. Since the Cumans had not yet invaded, Alexios devoted himself to a secondary purpose of his expedition, the reform of the Manichaeans, making his way from Mt. Papikion to Philippopolis. He had with him Eustratios of Nicaea and the metropolitan of Philippopolis, but his major assistant was Nikephoros Bryennios. Their weapons were persuasion and a profound knowledge of the scriptures. Most of the Manichaeans were baptised as Christians immediately, or after experience of Alexios' determined arguments. At this point the expected invasion occurred
Certainty: 2 Skirmishes: Shayzar, Apamea, Kafartab. Bursuq tried every means to entice Roger or his Muslim allies to attack his forces. He allowed his army to drink (alcohol) in camp at Shayzar and kept only a distant watch. He sent a detachment to make an assault on Kafartab, but for all their efforts they could not take it (at that time). Finally he continued the provocation right up to the Frankish lines at Apamea, trying to get the impetuous to break ranks. But Roger of Antioch threatened to blind any soldier who gave in to this provocation, and none did. Then a new phase in the campaign began when Baldwin I and Pons of Tripoli arrived
Certainty: 2 Successful deception of Lu'lu' the eunuch of Aleppo against Bursuq. Lu'lu' the eunuch ruler of Aleppo sent a letter to Bursuq offering to deliver Aleppo to him if he sent an amir with an army to help him reconcile the people of Aleppo to the idea. The appeal was a trap, agreed among the Muslim-Christian coalition. The purpose was to divide the Muslims and make it easier for Roger of Salerno to defeat them. Bursuq sent commander Uzbe, ruler of Mosul, with 3,000 men, who seem to have been surprised and wiped out at Danith. [The exact mechanism of the trick is elusive.]
Certainty: 2 Bursuq retired before crusader-Muslim coalition, but returned when they left. After Bursuq had been in Antiochene territory for some eleven weeks, Baldwin I and Pons of Tripoli came north, at the request of Roger of Antioch, who sent sealed letters. Baldwin sent word to Pons to be ready as he passed. Tughtakin may have marched with them some of the way. But when they arrived and joined forces at Talamria, Bursuq withdrew towards Melitene, as if going home. The new arrivals attacked Gistrum, captured and burned it to try to make Bursuq return, but in vain. Thus, as the huge Muslim army was still somewhere nearby, they went home, stopping at Tripoli to marry Tancred's widow Cecilia to Pons. Walter the Chancellor rejoiced that the impious coalition was at an end. But as soon as the southern allies had gone, Bursuq returned to Antiochene lands
Certainty: 2 Cecilia, Tancred's widow, was married to Pons of Tripoli. On the way home from defending Antioch against Bursuq, Pons and Baldwin took with them Tancred's widow Cecilia. Baldwin stopped off at Tripoli to celebrate her marriage to Pons
Certainty: 2 Siege of Jaffa by the people of Askalon. In the absence of Baldwin I near Antioch, there was an escalation of the constant attacks made by the people of Askalon on their Frankish neighbours, since it was known that the army of Jeruslem had gone north in full numbers. There was an attempt at a regular siege of Jaffa, with scaling-ladders and a sizeable fleet. But all they achieved was to set fire to the city gates, despite the weakness of the defenders. They withdrew to Askalon, nervous of attacks from Jerusalem. They made another surprise attack a week later, but were no more successful, retiring exhausted after a six-hour assault, carrying their dead. There were rumours of the imminent arrival of Baldwin I
Certainty: 2 Arnulf of Choques deposed by papal legate, but restored to office by pope. Pope Paschal II sent Berengar, bishop of Orange, as papal legate to enquire into the scandals surrounding the private life of the patriarch Arnulf of Choques. He summoned the local bishops to examine the matter, and ended by deposing Arnulf from office. However Arnulf immediately went to Rome, and by a mixture of bribery and fine words was able to overturn the verdict. He came back to Jerusalem exonerated and reinstated in the patriarchate
Certainty: 2 Campaign from Philippopolis against the Cumans. When it was reported from the Danube that the Cumans had crossed, Alexios I went to Vidyne in full force. But he found that the enemy had crossed back when they heard of his approach. An elite group of fighters was sent after them, but the Cumans escaped by crossing a tributary of the river on rafts which they carried with them. The army reassembled, having failed to defeat the enemy - except in the sense that they had been driven off by the emperor's name alone. The imperial party returned to their labours against the Manichaeans in Philippopolis
Certainty: 2 Many Manichaeans were baptised, a few sent to Constantinople for more treatment. In the drive to baptise the Manichaeans in Philippopolis, three champions of the heretics had emerged: Kouleon, Kousinos and Pholos. They were clever in argument, supremely obstinate in sticking to their beliefs and worked to some extent as a team. Alexios despaired of success in their case, and sent them to Constantinople, where they were kept in the porticos round the Great Palace. Apart from them, the number of conversions was cumulatively large: some became army officert, while he gathered others at a lower social level in a new town near Philippopolis called Alexiopolis or Neokastron, giving them significant lands and confirming the gifts with chrysobulls as inheritable property
Certainty: 2 Alexios I & Melikshah prepared for war; Alexios' gout left the Turks free to ravage Asia. Melikshah planned an attack on Byzantine lands, bringing troops from far and wide. Alexios I planned to meet him by marching to Ikonion. However at this critical time an unprecedented attack of his gout confined him to bed in agony. Melikshah and the Turks were thus left free to ravage where they wished, and made repeated expeditions. They did not believe reports of Alexios' illness, and ascribed his inaction to laziness and cowardice, in mocking parodies. Alexios heard of these and was furious. After some time his condition improved a little, and he could take the field
Certainty: 3 Donation of properties (in Macedonia & Thrace) to Lavra by Nikephoros Kephalas. Nikephoros Kephalas the proedros was childless after the deaths of two wives. He therefore decided to donate his inherited properties to Lavra, in memory of himself and his parents, Leon Kephalas and his wife, who were to be perpetually commemorated in the monstery's diptychs. He granted to Lavra his entire proasteion of Ta Adrinou, his buildings within the kastron of Traianoupolis and his land outside the walls. He also gave his estates of Archontochorion and Chostianes with their paroikoi, beasts of burden, buildings and lands, and handed over to the hegoumenos of Lavra Theodoros and twelve named monks the relevant chrysobulls, praktika and other documents. At the request of Nikephoros Kephalas, Basileios Kyrtoleon, protopsaltes of Hagios Demetrios at Thessalonike, prepared and signed the document by which Nikephoros donated his properties to Lavra. Five witnesses also signed the document
Certainty: 3 Renewed aggression by Bursuq's forces: Capture of Kafartab . Once the Franks from Tripoli and Jerusalem had left, Bursuq returned to Antiochene lands and began ravaging again, capturing Ma'arrat al-Nu'man; he made Roger leave Antioch to observe him. Bursuq reappeared at Kafartab, attacking it for a second time, with a list of his amirs preserved: Baktimur, the grand chamberlain, the amirs Isma'il al-Bakji and Kundughadi, Sunqur Diraz, the ruler of al-Rahba, the amir Tamirak, commander Uzbe and Bursuq's brother Zanki. Bursuq's machines made a great breach, he captured the castle and completely destroyed it. Usama had seen a group of Turkish soldiers building a tunnel to undermine a tower inside Kafartab and set fire to it. He later inspected the tunnel himself in disguise. The Frankish prisoners learned the ransoms to be demanded for them: one farted and complained that it was far too much, causing a negative comment from the amir al-Sayyid al-Sharif to Murshid. Bursuq gave the site and control of the prisoners to the ruling family of Shayzar, though it was soon to return to Frankish control. Then he returned to Ma'rrat an Num'an, and there built more machines to capture Zerdana
Certainty: 3 Roger of Antioch & Baldwin of Edessa prepared to fight Bursuq's army. When he heard that Bursuq had returned to capture Ma'arrat al-Nu'man and Kafartab and threaten Zerdana, Roger summoned Baldwin of Edessa. They decided not to recall their allies, but to attack Bursuq on their own. Roger ordered everybody in the principate to meet at Rugia, asking the patriarch Bernard to address them there and bless their undertaking, putting himself, his possessions and Antioch itself in Bernard's care. Bernard promised remission of sins for those who had confessed them and who died in the coming campaign, ordering another meeting (for reasons which are not clear) for November 1. he heard confessions, made intercessions asking for victory, blessed the coming campaign, commended the troops to William, bishop of Jabala, who would accompany them, but himself returned to Antioch. From Rugia Roger marched to where he thought Bursuq was - but he could not find him, so he camped at Hab. Suddenly Bursuq's position was announced by Thierry de Barneville. William of Jabala blessed the army with the True Cross, promising remission of sins for the faithful and threats of eternal damnation for those who were not. Roger then rode to battle with Baldwin of Edessa in the van
Certainty: 2 First battle of Tall Danith: the Frankish victory & its consequences. As Roger's army approached Tall Danith, Bursuq did not realise in the dazzling sunlight that it was the princely army; he took up position with his brother Zanki and strong forces on the top of the hill, leaving the amir Tamirak hidden behind the hill in reserve. Baldwin of Edessa had the privilege of striking the first blow: he and Guy Le Chevreuil attack up the hill towards Bursuq, apparently with freedom to choose the angle; he attacked straight up the hill, Guy from the side. After breaking their lances, they fought well with swords, bringing out Tamirak with the enemy reserves on disadvantageous terms against the coningent of Robert fitzFulk. Two knights, Robert of Sourdeval and Bochard, plunged valiantly into the enemy lines and were killed, and a hard-fought struggle erupted around their bodies, as Alan of al-Atharib and Guy Fresnel urged their comrades to protect their corpses and avenge them. After much more savage fighting, Roger was left the victor on the field at the first battle of Tall Danith, with quantities of booty so great that it made it difficult to pursue the defeated. Antiochene casualties were light in comparison with those of the enemy. The spoils were gathered and divided according to custom. Some of the fugitives were later captured or killed by Tughtakin, losing him still more credit among those Muslims who remembered that he had been implicated in the murder of Mawdud. Roger sent on treasures and prisoners to Antioch, dismissing his men with reminders of the need to meet on November 1, as the patriarch had ordained. He then returned to Antioch and received a hero's welcome, with the patriarch leading the clergy, climaxing in the basilica of Hagios Petros
Certainty: 3 Alexios I continued pressure on the Manichaean leaders he had sent to the capital. When Alexios returned to the capital in the middle of autumn, he renewed his attempts on the three Manichaean recalcitrants he had sent from Philippopolis, who were kept in the colonnades around the Great Palace. Kouleon was now convinced, and became a good Christian. But Kousinos and Pholos were completely obdurate. They were shut up in the Elephantine prison and would die there
Certainty: 1 Chrysobull of Alexios I granting annual donation to Theologos of Patmos. Following a request from the monks of Patmos after the death of their hegoumenos Joseph Iasites, Alexios I issued a chrysobull granting them an annual donation of 300 modioi of wheat, together with 24 nomismata to be given by the doux of Crete
Certainty: 1 Building of Krak de Montreal. Baldwin I crossed the Jordan into Arabia and built a castle on a mountain dominating its area. He called it Montreal after himself, because he was proud of the speed with which it was constructed with rather few men
Certainty: 2 Alexios I took the field & destroyed a Turkish raiding party. As Alexios began the campaign, he moved via Damalis and the Kibotos-Aigialoi crossing to Lopadion, where the army assembled. He then went to the castle of Hagios Georgios on Lake Nicaea and Nicaea itself, but retraced his route to the Lopadion bridge, near the Spring of Karykeus. He planned to send the army over the bridge first, then to follow himself. The Turks were plundering the flat area beneath the Lentiana mountains and Kotoraikia, and were terrified at his arrival. They lit many fires to magnify the size of their army, frightening the inexperienced, but not Alexios. They were able to leave with booty and prisoners: Alexios was not in time to stop them, finding corpses but a few Byzantines still alive. He sent a light-armed force to follow them, and it caught them at Kellia, killing most of them and recovering the booty
Certainty: 2 After a pause due to drought, alarming news came of a Turkish attack; but it was defeated. Alexios stayed at Lopadion for three months because the weather was too hot and dry in the area where he wanted to go. He was also waiting for some mercenaries. When they arrived, he took the army via the ridges of Olympos and Malangina to Aer, from where he sent for the empress, who was waiting on Prinkipo; he needed her as insurance against another attack of gout and plotting among his own men. Just after she arrived, Alexios' chamberlain announced in the morning that a Turkish attack had already reached the fort of Hagios Georgios. Eirene told him not to wake Alexios, but he had already roused and was making silent plans. A second messenger placed the Turks closer, then a third, covered in blood, announced their imminent arrival. Eirene reacted bravely, more concerned for Alexios than for herself, but was sent away. Her empresses' galley was stopped by a storm and anchored off Helenopolis, where it remained for a time. Alexios moved the army towards Nicaea, sending the Turks in retreat. They were trapped by a Byzantine force led by Strabobasileios and Michael Stypiotes (the nobleman, not his well-known slave), and were thoroughly defeated. Alexios praised the victors, occupied the fort of Hagios Georgios and the neighbouring village of Sagoudaous. At Helenopolis he met the empress, who was still delayed, and told her of the victory
Certainty: 2 After major preparations, Alexios preferred defence to attack, to his enemies' scorn. When he returned to Nicaea he heard of yet another Turkish incursion, so he went and stayed a short time at Lopadion, then Kios. But when he was told the Turks were moving to Nicaea by forced marches, he went there and continued to Miskoura. He there discovered that the main Turkish body under Monolykos had not arrived, and that the only Turks present were scouts shadowing himself. Alexios therefore sent Leon Nikerites with troops to Lopadion, with orders to keep a careful watch on the roads and send written reports. He now decided to abandon his aggressive approach towards Melikshah, judging that his own recent successes in destroying Turkish forces would discourage others. Thus aggressive efforts on his part might be a waste of time. He therefore withdrew to Nikomedia and summoned the empress. She was unhappy that critics on all sides were calling his campaign a failure. He reassured her that his watchful tactics were the most likely route to success
Certainty: 3 Alexios used the delay to practice a special formation for use against the Turks. Alexios at Nikomedeia had nothing to do but recruit and train new soldiers. He had also invented a new formation designed to be effective against Turks, taking account of the fluidity of their formations and the fact that their main weapon is the bow. Alexios' system demanded that the Turks would have to fire their arrows at the Roman left side (where they held their shields), while the Romans could fire left-handed (?) at the Turkish right, which was unprotected. [The real nature of this formation is obscure.] At the end of summer he took the army to Nicaea, where some light-armed troops were sent forward to skirmish and forage, but not to follow up any victories. Alexios went via Armenokastron and Leukai to Dorylaion, a good plain for practising manoeuvres
Certainty: 1 Alexios sent his generals in different directions, wondering whether to resume aggressive plans. Alexios sent Kamytzes to Polybotos and Kedros (the very strong town of the Turk Poucheas); Stypeiotes was to attack the Turks at Amorion. Two Pecheneg deserters warned Poucheas of Kamytzes' attack and the arrival of Alexios. He was terrified and left Kedros with its inhabitants in the middle of the night. When Kamytzes arrived in the morning he found the town full of booty but uninhabited, but without any hesitation he went straight to Polybotos, caught the enemy and slaughtered them, recovering all the booty and prisoners. Stypeiotes had the same sort of success at Poimanenon, and returned to Alexios. The latter reached Kedros at sunset, and learned from some soldiers that there were huge Turkish forces in nearby towns which used once to belong to the celebrated Bourtzes. Alexios reacted quickly to the news, and sent Bardas Bourtzes (a descendant), Georgios Lebounes and a Pecheneg called Pitikas, with forces which amounted to a considerable army. They were instructed to send out raiding parties once they arrived there, to ravage all the towns in the area, take the inhabitants and bring them to him. These three began their mission, while he followed his previous plan and was anxious to reach Polybotos and go beyond, as far as Ikonion. But at this moment sobering news arrived
Certainty: 2 With crops burned & another Turkish invasion impending, Alexios was told by God to be cautious. Alexios was told that the sultan Melikshah himself had heard of his advance, and had set fire to all the fields and level plains of Asia, so that there was no food at all for men or fodder for horses. Equally, in the north, there was news of another Turkish invasion, and rumours of it were sweeping across Asia. Alexios was afraid that, in going on to Ikonion, he might lose the whole army to famine through the lack of foodstuffs, while he was also nervous of the Turks he expected to find there. He therefore decided on an action which was sensible yet daring - to ask God whether he should continue to Ikonion or attack the Turks around Philomelion. He posed these questions on two pieces of paper and placed them on the holy altar. Then he held an all-night vigil in the church, offering fervent prayers to God. In the morning the priest went into the sanctuary, chose one of the papers, opened it before the whole congregation, and read that Alexios should give preference to the road to Philomelion
Certainty: 2 Bardas Bourtzes became involved in a fight, leading to a general battle. Bardas Bourtzes saw a large force crossing the bridge of Zompos to join Monolykos, immediately attacked them and completely defeated them. But other Turks coming from the east found Bourtzes' unprotected camp and seized the pack animals and the soldiers' baggage. Bourtzes was returning victorious with new booty, but discovered that the Turks had taken everything in his camp, including his existing plunder. He wondered what to do. As his horses were tired, he could not pursue them, so he proceeded slowly and cautiously, in good order. By dawn he reached the towns of the elder Bourtzes, and removed their whole population, taking them and their wealth, rested a little and started back to Alexios. Soon a serious battle ensued with another band of Turks. After a time, the Turks asked for the prisoners and booty taken with them, promising to go home and cause no more trouble. Bourtzes refused, and fought harder. The Romans had not drunk while fighting the day before, so now they slaked their thirst in relays from a river, before returning to battle. Bourtzes was so worried at the courage and numbers of the enemy that he sent Georgios Lebounes to cut a way through as a messenger to Alexios. Alexios realised the emergency and immediately set off to help. He controlled the vanguard, Bryennios the right wing, Gabras the left and Kekaumenos the rearguard. As the Turks waited for them, Nikephoros the empress's nephew with others dashed forward and killed the first Turks they met, leading to a general flight. Alexios praised Nikephoros and went on to the lake of the Forty Martyrs and Mesanakta, capturing Philomelion the next day. From there raiding parties were sent out around Ikonion, freed prisoners and brought them in, followed voluntarily by much of the local population
Certainty: 2 Despite losses, the new formation won the day; the sultan was nearly captured. Alexios and his army became a refuge for many non-combatants, whom he now had to lead to safety. He used his new formation, placing all the prisoners, women, children, even babies, inside a moving square. Monolykos at first shadowed the army without attacking. But in a later ambush he had his first sight of the new formation, amazed at its novelty, despite his great experience. He guessed that the general was Alexios. He did not see how to attack, and at first the Turks just shouted war-cries. Then he made regular, fluid attacks in small groups, to little effect. Alexios inspired the Byzantines in the vanguard, insisting on maintaining the formation: the Turks attacked all day and in the evening withdrew to the hills, having achieved nothing. During the night they howled war-cries and Greek-speakers of mixed race mocked the Byzantines. In the morning Monolykos could only repeat the tactics of the day before, till Melikshah arrived and joked about his age. Monolykos passed the command to him. Melikshah attacked the rearguard, a fight in which Bryennios, commanding the right, was tempted to intervene. The porphyrogennetos Andronikos, in charge of the left, did make a daring charge [it reminded Anna of his premature end, and she states quite clearly that he died now, apparently as a teenager, whereas he was clearly rather older at this time, and survived for at least a decade]. Bryennios now did bring assistance, and soon the enemy fled. Many were killed and more were captured. Melikshah and his cupbearer were chased up a slope by three Pechenegs and the son of Ouzas. The cupbearer was captured - a great prize - but the sultan turned aside and escaped, frustrating Alexios
Certainty: 2 In a further night & day of battle, the superior Turkish numbers were again defeated. During the night after the escape of the sultan, the Turks continued their howling war-cries and lit many intimidating watch-fires. Later two deserters played important roles: a Pecheneg from Alexios' army advised the Turks to raid the Roman ranks all night with bowmen, because they were tightly packed and made good targets. A deserter of mixed race then came from the Turks to Alexios, telling him of the Pecheneg's words and the developing plans of the Turkish leaders. Alexios kept half his army in camp and used the other half to ward off the bowmen, who were still able to keep up many volleys of arrows. By the morning the new formation had reformed, with non-combatants and booty in the centre, moving on to Ampous. There the Turks made determined efforts to disrupt the Byzantine ranks, but to no avail. Fighting was fierce, but the formation held
Certainty: 2 Melikshah sued for peace in an impressive ceremony; terms were agreed. The following night was spent by the Turkish leaders in assessing the situation and at dawn they sued for peace. Alexios insisted that his army remained ready to march and fight, without removing armour, dismounting or unloading pack-animals. He was afraid that relaxation and confusion could easily lead to disaster, because the Turks were still far more numerous. The Turkish leaders approached him on the plain between Augoustopolis and Akroinion, led by Melikshah and Monolykos. Alexios met them surrounded by family members and picked men from each contingent, a splendid sight. The Turks dismounted, acknowledging Alexios' status, but he tried to stop Melikshah from doing the same; finally he did dismount, kissing Alexios' foot, and receiving a horse and the imperial cloak. Both sides expressed a commitment to peace, Alexios speaking of reversing the disaster of Mantzikert. The next day, a treaty was formally made, with huge gifts of money for Melikshah and his commanders
Certainty: 2 Melikshah, refusing Alexios' aid, was betrayed & killed by his brother Mas'ud. The peace negotiations were overshadowed by news of a plot against Melikshah by his half-brother Mas'ud, who was approaching with an army. Alexios urged caution, that the sultan should wait where he was till the situation became clearer; he offered a Byzantine force to escort him to Ikonion. Melikshah remained overconfident and left with only his own forces, despite a dream which prophecied disaster. His own army was turning against him: scouts who had met Mas'ud reported seeing nobody, so it was a surprise when he met some of Mas'ud's forces. The first to attack him was a certain Gazes, son of Asan Katouch, a commander the sultan had killed. Though this danger was easily averted, Melikshah now rushed back to take advantage of help offered by Alexios, but on the way was stopped by a treacherous counter-proposal by Poucheas, which led to his being besieged by Mas'ud in the small fortress of Tyragion. Poucheas then persuaded the townspeople to open the gates, and Mas'ud's men burst in and blinded Melikshah, using a candelabrum given him by Alexios. The blinding was not quite complete, as he told his nurse, and she told his wife, as they arrived at Ikonion. When the news reached Mas'ud, he had him strangled by Elegmos, a prominent commander, with a bow-string
Certainty: 2 Alexios I vanquished Turkish leader Melikshah (Solymopalos). Alexios I's last campaign in the east was against the Turkish ruler Melikshah (Solymopalos), whom he defeated, fulfilling the prediction of Kyrillos Phileotes. Alexios' son Andronikos in this expedition fought well beyond his years, attacking the Turkish leader with his small force, capturing his tent and killing many of the enemy, then returning unharmed. His actions led to peace [this alternative narrative serves as a reminder that Anna's detailed account of this campaign, perhaps written by Nikephoros (who was one of its major Byzantine commanders), was not the only one in circulation. Italikos' version of Andronikos' story was written long before she finished her history.]
Certainty: 2 Alexios marched back to the capital, pausing for childbirth & death among the prisoners saved. As Alexios returned to Philomelion, the numbers of non-combatants in the middle of his column increased and the pace of progress slowed. The march was stopped by a trumpet-call when pregnant women gave birth and when the sick and aged died. Only when medical and religious ceremonies were completed did the trumpet sound again to resume the march. At meal-times he gave his food to those who needed it, as did other commanders. The arrival at Damalis, and then in the capital was kept very low-key, with the needs of the prisoners paramount, especially those of the many orphans
Certainty: 2 Children among the prisoners were handed over to the Orphanage Alexios had founded. For the care of orphans he had already founded the excellent Orphanage in the north of the city, near the church of Paul the Apostle, and the orphans from among the prisoners were looked after there. He had organised buildings for the care of the poor and the handicapped and injured. Food and clothing were provided by imperial generosity, from estates allocated to the institution. Anna gave personal testimony to the good works done there for every kind of unfortunate person. Alexios was particularly proud of the school, where poor but able students from every race resident in the capital received a good grammatical education, liike that experienced by Anna herself, but not so common after Alexios' death
Certainty: 2 Envoy of Roger of Antioch given escort via Shayzar towards Jerusalem. Roger of Antioch wrote a letter to 'Izz al-Din Abu l-'Asakir Sultan of Shayzar, asking for an escort for a knight of his. The man was on a mission to Jerusalem, and Roger would like him conducted safely from Apameia to Rafaniyya. The escort was given. The knight told Sultan that his domain was better administered than its neighbours, and therefore that he judged he could be trusted. He then told him the secret content of his mission
Certainty: 0 Usama's father received hunting birds from Toros & Leon of Armenia. Majd al-Din Abu Salama Murshid, the father of Usama, had a relation of friendship with Leon and Toros of Armenia. They would send him every year about ten falcons and a number of braches (hunting dogs), while he would send them horses, perfume and Egyptian-made clothing. He also received, and bred, braches from Byzantium
Certainty: 2 Baldwin visited his castle of Montreal & went to bathe in the Red Sea. Baldwin took 200 knights and paid a visit to the castle of Montreal he had built in Arabia. From there they went on in a spirit of curiosity to bathe in the Red Sea. He may have avoided Sinai so as not to compromise the monks. Fulcher of Chartres was very interested in the stories the 200 had to tell, and inspected the precious stones and sea-shells they brought back. This made him write a small excursus on the rivers of Paradise
Certainty: 2 Sabas, ex-patriarch of Jerusalem, came to Constantinople.
Certainty: 2 Arnulf of Choques told Baldwin to divorce Queen Adelaide, as the marriage was bigamous. The patriarch, Arnulf of Choques, who had gone to Rome to clear his name, succeded in doing so. On his return, on behalf of Paschales II, he had urged Baldwin I to end his marriage to Adelaide of Salona, which was adulterous, as Baldwin's second wife was still alive
Certainty: 3 Baldwin set Adelaide aside, for reasons of consanguineity as well as bigamy; she left for Sicily. Baldwin I was troubled by his marital situation, did penitence for casting off his Armenian second wife, and during a serious illness vowed to put aside his third wife Adelaide, if he recovered. He was also warned to divorce Adelaide by Paschal II, via the patriarch Arnulf. When he was well again, the issue was discussed by a council in the Church of the Holy Cross in Acre, which confirmed the need for the marriage to end, for reasons of consanguineity as well as bigamy. Baldwin summoned Adelaide and explained the decision. She left despondent and angry, feeling that she had been tricked out of her wealth, and returned to Sicily from Acre with seven ships. Her son Roger II of Sicily and his successors would later refuse help to Jerusalem
Certainty: 3 Great plague of locusts in Jerusalem.
Certainty: 2 Serious illness of Alexios I divided the doctors; he recovered. After a race meting at which a strong wind had been blowing, the humours left the extremities and attacked one of Alexios' shoulders. Nikolaos Kallikles was the only one of his doctors who realised how dangerous this was, as the humours could move to some vital organ. He suggested purgative treatment. All the others disagreed: Alexios had never had such treatment before. Michael Pantechnes in particular was violently against any such course of action. Anna Komnene herself was present at these debates at the request of Eirene Doukaina, and supported the opinions of Kallikles, but they were outvoted by the rest. In fact, the symptoms soon disappeared and the emperor regained health
Certainty: 2 Building of the castle of Scandalion, against Tyre.
Certainty: 3 Exchange of properties approved between Nikephoros Bourtzes & the hegoumenos of Docheiariou . Nikephoros Bourtzes the proedros owned the proasteion of Rouseou at Bryai in Chalkidike, which was too far away from his dwelling at Thessalonike to be properly managed. He therefore agreed with Neophytos, the hegoumenos of Docheiariou on Athos to exchange it for 50 nomismata, together with seven workshops of Docheiariou in the area of Kataphyge (in Thessalonike). Demetrios ho tou Artakenou, a deacon and kastrisios at Thessalonike, drafted the act of exchange of properties between Nikephoros Bourtzes and Neophytos of Docheiariou. Anna, Nikephoros' wife, being illiterate, had the act of exchange explained to her by Konstantinos ho tou Blizima, the tabellion, nomikos and klerikos of the Acheiropoietos in Thessalonike. She then gave her consent to the transaction and signed it with a cross. Neophytos handed over to Nikephoros and Anna all the acts of sale and donation concerning the workshops of Docheiariou at Thessalonike and received those pertaining to the proasteion of Rouseou. The act was signed by the principals in the transaction, those who drew it up and explained it, and seven witnesses
Certainty: 1 Roger of Antioch made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Roger of Antioch made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. He met Baldwin, the lord of Jerusalem, and agreed with him that whoever died first, the other would inherit his kingdom. Roger was killed by Ilghazi at the Field of Blood, and Baldwin II came into possession of Antioch. [It was Baldwin II who took over Antioch, but there was only a small window before Roger's death for Roger to meet him as king. It is unlikely that Roger would find Baldwin II (then of Edessa) at Jerusalem before he was king. The story also loses its point if the agreement was made with Baldwin I when it was Baldwin II who took over Antioch.]
Certainty: 3 Pope Paschal II died, to be replaced by Gelasius II.
Certainty: 3 Baldwin I invaded Egypt & reached the Nile at Farama (Pelousion). Baldwin decided to invade Egypt with a small army, to retalliate for the trouble caused by Egyptian troops from Askalon. He reached the Nile delta at Farama (Pelousion), The city was abandoned by its terrified people, leaving large quantities of food, gold, silver and other precious things
Certainty: 2 Manouvres over the succession to Alexios I. Though Anna Komnene was the firstborn child of Alexios I, his favourite was Ioannes (II), his eldest son, whom he proclaimed emperor, so as to leave him as his successor. His empress Eirene Doukaina, on the other hand, fervently supported her daughter Anna, slandering her son Ioannes for his rash character and moral laxity, trying to change her husband's mind. She also regularly praised Anna's husband Nikephoros Bryennios as an educated person who was also a man of action. The sickness which affected Alexios in the last years of his life gave her great power, and it seemed likely that she would have a strong role in the succession. Ioannes was well aware that this posed dangers for his rule, perhaps even for his life itself, and lobbied the male members of the Komnenian clan to support him when the crisis came. His brother Isaakios was favourable to him. Nikephoros Bryennios, as husband of the firstborn, the favoured candidate of the empress and a man of considerable personal authority, seemed likely to play an important role, but showed little ambition for the throne. Alexios himself usually ignored his wife's pleas, but sometimes replied that he would be crazy to replace an able son and legitimate successor by his son-in-law, especially as his own rise to power had been unorthodox. Much of the time he hid his real feelings
Certainty: 2 Baldwin of Bourcq from Edessa decided to visit Jerusalem at Easter. As Edessa was at peace, Baldwin of Bourcq decided to visit Jerusalem for Easter to consult with Baldwin I and pray. Hearing on the way that Baldwin had died in Egypt, he hurried on, arriving at one side of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, as Baldwin's body arrived at the other
Certainty: 3 While destroying Farama, Baldwin fell mortally ill, & the army set off for home. It was decided to destroy Farama and move on, apparently to Cairo. Baldwin worked very hard on the destruction, but then fell seriously ill, despairing of survival. He told his companions to defend Jerusalem, and spoke of the disposal of his corpse
Certainty: 3 Death of Baldwin I & pickling of his body in salt. As Baldwin was dying, he forced Ado, his cook, to promise to cut out his intestines and pickle him in salt, to preserve his body for burial in Jerusalem. As for the succession, that should go to his brother Eustace, if he came out to Jerusalem, or, if not, to Baldwin of Bourcq or a similar warrior. He died, and the requisite butchery was completed
Certainty: 3 Palm Sunday service in Jerusalem followed by funeral of Baldwin I. The service for Palm Sunday conducted by the patriarch, Arnulf of Choques was hardly completed, when the funeral service for Baldwin I had to follow at once, despite the pickling in salt he had demanded. Arnulf buried Baldwin next to his brother Godfrey in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Certainty: 3 Choice of Baldwin of Bourcq to succeed Baldwin I, rather than the latter's brother Eustace. Baldwin of Bourcq had come to Jerusalem for the Easter ceremonies, only to see the body of Baldwin I brought back from Egypt on Palm Sunday. Then, although he was only his predecessor's second choice as successor, the people supported him because he was present. Major roles were also played by the dying patriarch Arnulf and by Joscelin of Courtenay. The latter's support was credible, because of the violent quarrel he had had with Baldwin (II): he claimed that the kingdom needed an immediate ruler to deal with emergencies. He really hoped to succeed Baldwin in Edessa (as in fact occurred). Eustace's choice by Baldwin I had been somewhat qualified, since he was unsure whether his brother was not too old to come to the Holy Land. Eustace did receive a summons from an uncertain number of barons in Jerusalem, and set out, reaching Apulia. But when he heard of the coronation of Baldwin II, he turned back, since the Holy City should not be polluted by strife
Certainty: 3 Consecration of Baldwin of Le Bourcq, count of Edessa, as Baldwin II. Baldwin of Le Bourcq was unanimously consecrated king on April 14 [not crowned, presumably because of the issue of Eustace]. He appointed Joscelin of Courtenay in his place in Edessa and sent for his wife Morphia from there
Certainty: 3 Death of the patriarch Arnulf, to be replaced by Gormond of Picquigny. Arnulf of Choques had burtied Baldwin I and supported and crowned Baldwin II, impressed by his popularity. But he had been sickening throughout the period, and died some three weeks after the coronation. He was succeeded by Gormond of Picquigny
Certainty: 2 Invasion by Caliph of Egypt & Tughtakin of Damascus: three months' stalemate at Askalon. As Baldwin II succeeded to the throne, he had to face an invasion by troops of the Egyptian ruler reinforced by Tughtakin. A large fleet also came to Askalon, but that went on to Tyre. Baldwin summoned contingents from Antioch and Tripoli and marched to camp within sight the invaders near Askalon. After three months of stalemate the Egyptians were exhausted and withdrew without fighting. The Antiochenes went home, but for 300 men detailed to Baldwin to defend Jerusalem if the Egyptians returned