Godfrey of Bouillon finally waited on Alexios I in his palace & took oaths of allegiance

Summary:
After the devastation caused by Godfrey's men, Alexios made a new effort to meet him, offering hostages to ensure that Godfrey was treated well. He feared that the expected arrivals of new armies would make the situation dangerous. Anna Komnene refers to another battle, won (with losses) by the Byzantines. Finally Godfrey agreed, provided the hostages inspired conference. Alexios offered Ioannes, his eldest son, the future Ioannes II. Godfrey moved his men back across the bridge to the palaces along the Bosporos, and sent Baldwin of Bourcq and Cono of Montaigu to pick up Ioannes. He then sailed to the city, attended by Garnier of Grez and Peter of Astenois. Godfrey's brother Baldwin was left in charge of the army and the hostage. The well-dressed Godfrey made a good impression: Alexios greeted him and his nobles with the kiss of peace, and asked all their names, but did not rise as they knelt before him. He made Godfrey his adopted son, clothing him as an emperor: the crusaders swore loyalty to Alexios, promising to return to the Byzantines (via the emperor's representative) all places once belonging to them. They agreed on peaceful and fair commerce, with severe penalties for offenders. Godfrey shared a meal at the emperor's table. Alexios gave his visitors rich gifts, which were repeated in succeeding weeks. The crusaders left the city in awe, and Ioannes was returned to his father 
Dates:
1097 April 
Emperor Alexios I Komnenos (Alexios 1)
  • He was impressed by the well-dressed Godfrey 51, and greeted him and his nobles by rank with the kiss of peace, not rising, though they bowed on bended knee; he praised Godfrey, taking him as his adopted son, and the crusaders swore agreements (:) Albert of Aachen II.16
  • After Byzantine defeat outside walls and widespread crusader foraging, knowing of Bohemond 61's proposal and his imminent arrival, redoubled efforts to win over Godfrey 51 before situation could worsen (: ) William of Tyre bk. 2, 11.1-8
  • Offered his son, Ioannes 2, as hostage to reassure Godfrey 51 of safety of imperial audience; offer was accepted, and Ioannes was held in crusader camp during audience; he thus obtained the visit he had long desired (: ) William of Tyre bk. 2, 11.10-16
  • Welcomed Godfrey 51 to the audience and his companions according to their station, asking all their names, giving kiss of peace, and showing personal interest to conciliate them; finally he ceremonially adopted Godfrey as his son (: ) William of Tyre bk. 2, 11.17-40
  • After adopting Godfrey 51, gave him and companions generous presents of every kind (renewed with large weekly sums from Epiphany to Ascension Day); crusaders returned to camp in awe (from Epiphany to Ascension Day:ab Epiphaniorum die usque ad Ascensionem Domini) William of Tyre bk. 2, 12.1-14
  • After audience with Godfrey 51, decreed that sales of necessities to crusaders should be at fair weight and price, on pain of death; Godfrey proclaimed same penalty for violence or injustice towards Byzantines; trading became peaceful (: ) William of Tyre bk. 2, 12.18-24
  • After a day of battle around the bridge and six days of plundering by the crusaders, he offered hostages to entice Godfrey 51 to a meeting; hearing of Bohemond 61's embassy, he put up Ioannes 2 as his hostage, adding plenty of supplies (:) Albert of Aachen II.14-15
  • His final persuasion of Godfrey 51 included polite military pressure leading to another battle, in which casualties were heavy but the Byzantines had the upper hand (:) Anna Komnene 313.92-99
Baldwin of Boulogne, Baldwin I, king of Jerusalem (Baldwin 51)
  • When Godfrey 51 went to visit Alexios 1 in the palace, Baldwin did not attend him, but stayed outside with the army (:) Albert of Aachen II.15
  • Remained outside city commanding army when Godfrey 51 at last attended imperial audience; guarded Ioannes 2 as hostage till the audience was over (: ) William of Tyre bk. 2, 11.14-12.17
Baldwin of Bourcq, Baldwin II, king of Jerusalem (Baldwin 52)
  • With Cono 4001, he was sent to fetch the hostage Ioannes 2 and conduct him to the camp, while Godfrey 51 was in the capital (:) Albert of Aachen II.15
  • Later was sent to conduct Ioannes 2, son of Alexios 1, as hostage to the crusader camp, to reassure Godfrey 51 of safety of imperial audience: in association with Cono 4001 (: ) William of Tyre bk. 2, 11.11-15
Cono, count of Montaigu (Cono 4001)
  • With Baldwin 52, he was sent to fetch the hostage Ioannes 2 and conduct him to the camp, while Godfrey 51 was in the capital (:) Albert of Aachen II.15
  • Later was sent to conduct Ioannes 2, son of Alexios 1, as hostage to the crusader camp, to reassure Godfrey 51 of safety of imperial audience: in association with Baldwin 52 (: ) William of Tyre bk. 2, 11.11-15
Garnier (Warner), count of Grez (Garnier 4001)
Godfrey of Bouillon, duke of Lower Lorraine, first Latin ruler of Jerusalem (Godfrey 51)
  • He moved the army back over the bridge to the palaces along the coast, telling them to be peaceful; he accepted Ioannes 2 as hostage and sent Cono 4001 and Baldwin 52 to fetch him; they brought Ioannes to the camp, while Godfrey left (:) Albert of Aachen II.15
  • After their first meeting he and Alexios 1 ordered peaceful and fair commerce, with heavy punishments for cheating; rising prices were often lowered at his request, especially after the beginning of Lent when he agreed to cross the straits (:) Albert of Aachen II.17
  • He sailed over to the city with Garnier 4001, Petros 4002 and other nobles (not Baldwin 51, who was with the army); he entered boldly with his impressive clothing; Alexios 1 greeted them with a kiss of peace, without rising, while they all bowed (:) Albert of Aachen II.15-16
  • He accepted Alexios 1's proposal, provided the hostages offered inspired confidence, but politely declined Bohemond 61's suggestion, saying that he had not come on crusade for profit or to attack Christians, but to go to Jerusalem (:) Albert of Aachen II.14
  • He was flattered by Alexios 1 to accept adoption as a son, and swore an agreement, like all crusader leaders present and those who followed; various priceless gifts were given, and every week nearly till Pentecost huge sums of money were added (:) Albert of Aachen II.17
  • When he at last consented to an audience, he was greeted by Alexios 1, with his companions, in a most conciliatory way; was then dressed as Byzantine Emperor and ceremonially adopted as Alexios' son (: ) William of Tyre bk. 2, 11.17-40
  • After adoption, he and companions received many rich presents (later renewed by large weekly sums from Epiphany to Ascension Day, which he gave to troops according to need); left city in wonder (from Epiphany to Ascension Day:ab Epiphaniorum die usque ad Ascensionem Domini) William of Tyre bk. 2, 12.1-14
  • He swore to return to the Byzantines (via the emperor's representative) all places once belonging to them, shared a meal at the emperor's table and received large sums of money (:) Anna Komnene 313.4-314.13
Emperor Ioannes II Komnenos (Ioannes 2)
  • He was offered by the anxious Alexios 1 as a hostage so that Godfrey 51 would come to the palace; Godfrey accepted, and sent Cono 4001 and Baldwin 52, who conducted him to the crusader camp; he was sent back on Godfrey's return (:) Albert of Aachen II.15-17
  • Was given as hostage by his father Alexios 1 to persuade Godfrey 51 to attend imperial audience; Cono 4001 and Baldwin 52 conducted him to Baldwin 51, who guarded him till audience ended, when he was honourably escorted back (: ) William of Tyre bk. 2, 11.10-12.17
Peter, count of Astenois (Petros 4002)