Guiscard hinted at peace, if Michael VII was avenged - with details completely unacceptable to Alexios

Summary:
The envoys sent to Guiscard brought back a message which hinted at peace, but set the recompense to "Michael VII" so high that it could not be accepted. It was an attempt to shift the blame for the war on to Alexios. The decision was to fight at once 
Dates:
1081 October 
Emperor Alexios I Komnenos (Alexios 1)
  • The ambassadors sent to Robert 61 returned with proposals speaking of peace but setting the level of recompense to "Michael 7" so high that they could not possibly be accepted; it was an attempt to pass responsibility for the war to Alexios (:) Anna Komnene 130.22-131.66
  • Since the demands of Robert 61 were impossibly high and the majority of the Byzantine generals (especially the young) were in favour of an immediate battle, he decided to fight (:) Anna Komnene 129.8-130.33
Robert Guiscard (Robert 61)
  • He replied to Alexios 1's messengers without excluding peace, but setting his demands for satisfaction of "Michael 7" so high that Alexios could not accept them; he was trying to throw the blame for war on Alexios (:) Anna Komnene 130.22-33