Having wintered in Cilicia, Ioannes II led his crusader allies eastwards from Antioch

Summary:
Ioannes II went back to Cilicia for the winter. In the spring he mustered his army in Cilicia, and summoned Raymond of Poitiers and Joscelin of Edessa to join him, on an expedition which was to lead to Shayzar 
Dates:
1138 
Emperor Ioannes II Komnenos (Ioannes 2)
  • If he conquered Aleppo, Shayzar, Hama and Homs, he should give them in fief to Raymond; Raymond should then freely give up Antioch; Ioannes gave Raymond rich gifts, his standard flew over Antioch and he returned to winter in Cilicia (: ) William of Tyre bk. 14, 30.34-58
  • Mustered his army in Cilicia, summoning Raymond 17001, Joscelin 4002 and other allies against Shayzar; in the siege he moved around fully armed, with a golden helmet, encouraging the army by word and example and arranging all military details (: ) William of Tyre bk. 15, 1.1-45
Joscelin II, count of Edessa (Joscelin 4002)
  • Was summoned by Ioannes 2 to take part in attack on Shayzar, but while Ioannes was busy all day pursuing the siege, Joscelin and Raymond 17001, being young, preferred to play dice, influencing others; Ioannes tried vainly to reform them (: ) William of Tyre bk. 15, 1.6-55
Raymond of Poitiers, prince of Antioch (Raymond 17001)
  • Was summoned by Ioannes 2 to take part in attack on Shayzar, but while Ioannes was busy all day pursuing the siege, Raymond and Joscelin 4002, being young, preferred to play dice, influencing others; Ioannes tried vainly to reform them (: ) William of Tyre bk. 15, 1.6-55