Manuel sent various envoys & commanders to regulate the crusaders & check their excesses

Summary:
Manuel I was well aware of he dangers presented by the huge armies which were coming and their militaristic attitudes, especially the naval problem of Roger of Sicily. He therefore made sure that the armour and weapons of the Byzantine troops were all in order. He divided his men between the garrison of Constantinople and other forces sent to stop the crusaders turning off to plunder; but all was to be done in a peaceful and friendly way. He sent Michael Branas to provide necessities for the westerners at Nis, and Basileios Tzintziloukes and Michael Palaiologos to welcome them in the same way to Serdica (Sofia). Later he sent Prosouch to shadow the German army from around Adrianople, and Andronikos Opos in a vain attempt to get them to cross to Asia at Abydos. Prosouch and Basileios Goudelios Tzikandyles were to lie in ambush at Longoi, and report on the German army. They gave a negative verdict on their discipline, behaviour and likely military effectiveness. Manuel told Prosouch and Tzikandyles in scientific detail how to defeat such an army, if necessary; the occasion arose, and his plan worked, causing heavy losses 
Dates:
1147 
Andronikos Opos (Andronikos 17003)
  • Was sent by Manuel 1 to the Crusaders to remind them of their oaths, blame them for breaking them and persuade them to cross to Asia at Abydos (Hellespont); he returned to Constantinople unsuccessful (:) Kinnamos 72.5-12
Basileios Tzintziloukes, chartoularios and military commander (Basileios 242)
  • Met the Crusaders at Serdica (Sofia) to welcome them appropriately and provide them with necessities: in association with Michael 62 (:) Kinnamos 70.3-16
Basileios Goudelios Tzikandyles, military commander (Basileios 17001)
  • Was sent by Manuel 1 to lie in ambush at Longoi to check Crusader excesses; he observed their lack of discipline and gave a low report on their likely military effectiveness: in association with Prosouch 17001 (:) Kinnamos 72.21-73.15
  • Was instructed by Manuel 1 how to fight a battle scientifically against the Germans near Constantinople; they were victorious, inflicting heavy losses: in association with Prosouch 17001 (:) Kinnamos 77.10-24
Conrad III Hohenstaufen, king of Germany (Conrad 53)
  • An unsuccessful attempt was made (by Andronikos 17003?) to persuade him to cross the Hellespont near Sestos, rather than passing Constantinople (:) Odo of Deuil 46
Emperor Manuel I Komnenos (Manuel 1)
  • Sent Prosouch 17001 to shadow and control the Crusaders (:) Kinnamos 71.5-6
  • Replied sarcastically to Conrad 53's attempts to avoid responsibility for German misdeeds, and instructed Basileios 17001 (Tzikandyles), Prosouch 17001 and other generals in a scientific defeat of the German army (:) Kinnamos 76.15-24
  • Sent Andronikos 17003 (Opos) in a vain attempt to persuade the Crusaders to cross at Abydos, while strengthening the garrison of Constantinople (:) Kinnamos 72.5-21
  • Sent Basileios 17001 (Tzikandyles) and Prosouch 17001 to Longoi, to shadow the Crusaders on whose discipline they made a poor report; but he was loath to start hostilities (:) Kinnamos 72.21-73.18
  • He described the dangers presented by the huge armies which were coming and their militaristic attitudes, especially the naval problem of Roger 17001 (unnamed); he made sure that the armour and weapons of the Byzantine troops were all in order (:) Niketas Choniates, Historia 62.84-98
  • He divided his troops between the garrison of Constantinople and other forces sent to follow the crusaders, to stop them turning off to plunder; but all was to be done in a peaceful and friendly way (:) Niketas Choniates, Historia 62.4-9
Michael Palaiologos, commander in Italy under Manuel I (Michael 62)
  • Met the Crusaders at Sardika (Sofia) to welcome them appropriately and provide them with necessities: in association with Basileios 242 (:) Kinnamos 70.3-16
Michael Branas, strategos of Cilicia (Michael 17002)
  • Provided necessities for the Crusaders at Nis, as instructed (:) Kinnamos 69.21-70.3
Prosouch, Turkish military commander in service of Manuel I (Prosouch 17001)
  • Was sent by Manuel 1 to lie in ambush at Longoi to check Crusader excesses; he observed their lack of discipline and gave a low report on their likely military effectiveness: in association with Basileios 17001 (:) Kinnamos 72.21-73.15
  • Was instructed by the emperor Manuel 1 how to fight a battle scientifically against the Germans near Constantinople; they were victorious, inflicting heavy losses: in association with Basileios 17001 (:) Kinnamos 77.10-24