Conrad damaged the Philopation, but realised the City was impregnable & crossed to Pikridion

Summary:
Conrad III as he approached the City with increasing despair, came to the beautiful hunting lodge of the Philopation, burst in and destroyed most of it, under the eyes of Manuel I, whose palace (Blachernai) had a good view in that direction. From there Conrad saw that the city was impregnable, then crossed the bridge above the Golden Horn and camped at Pikridion. The Byzantines were amazed to see female crusaders riding astride, especially the specaciular "Chrysopous". 
Dates:
1147 September 
female crusader nicknamed "Chrysopous" (Anonyma 224)
  • She was one of the females, Amazons armed and riding shamelessly astride like men, who intrigued the Byzantines, appearing in the ranks of the crusaders (:) Niketas Choniates, Historia 60.48-55
Conrad III Hohenstaufen, king of Germany (Conrad 53)
  • Reached Philopation and saw that the city was impregnable, then crossed the bridge above the Golden Horn and camped at Pikridion (:) Kinnamos 74.11-75.14
  • Wrote to the emperor Manuel 1 from Pikridion ascribing all German misdeeds to the impulses of soldiers; Manuel replied sarcastically that the Byzantines had impulses too (:) Kinnamos 75.21-77.24
  • With his aggressive plans in ruins he marched on to Constantinople, crossed the bridge over the Borbyzes and Byzes, camping at Pikridion; he attacked the city, but was easily beaten by the troops of Manuel 1, and crossed the strait to Damalis (:) Manganeios Prodromos 20.297-336
  • As he approached the beautiful hunting-lodge of the Philopation, he burst in and destroyed most of it, under the eyes of Manuel 1, whose palace upon the city wall (Blachernai) had a good view in that direction (:) irrupit, et undique paene omnia destruens ... Odo of Deuil 48