Louis VII's diplomatic preparations for the Crusade

Summary:
Louis VII wrote about the Crusade to Roger II in Apulia and Manuel Komnenos in Constantinople. Roger replied expressing willingness to help with provisions and sea transport; he also promised that he or his son Roger, Duke of Apulia (?), would join the crusade; he sent nobles to pledge the help offered. Manuel wrote at length in a flowery way, calling Louis his "holy friend and brother", and making a lot of promises which he did not keep. Louis also asked Conrad III of Germany and Geza of Hungary for passage across their realms and for markets for provisions. Both replied in a very positive way 
Dates:
1146 
Conrad III Hohenstaufen, king of Germany (Conrad 53)
  • He received letters from Louis 101 about the crusade, asking for the right to cross his realm and for the provision of food; he replied in very positive terms (:) Odo of Deuil 10
Geza II, king of Hungary (Geza 52)
  • He received letters from Louis 101 about the crusade, asking for the right to cross his realm and for the provision of food; his advisors [he was a minor] replied in very positive terms (:) Odo of Deuil 10
Louis VII, king of France (Louis 101)
  • He wrote about the crusade to Roger 17001 in Apulia and Manuel 1 in Constantinople, and asked Conrad 53 and Geza 52 for passage across their realms and for markets for provisions; his letters also reached England (:) Odo of Deuil 10
Emperor Manuel I Komnenos (Manuel 1)
  • When he received letters about the Crusade from Louis 101, he replied at length in a flowery way, calling Louis his "holy friend and brother", and making a lot of promises which he did not keep (:) Odo of Deuil 10
Roger III, Duke of Apulia, son of King Roger II of Sicily (Roger 101)
  • He was probably the son of Roger 17001 whom his father anticipated might join the Second Crusade (:) Odo of Deuil 10
Roger II, king of Sicily (Roger 17001)
  • He received letters about the crusade from Louis 101, and replied expressing willingness to help with provisions and sea transport; he also promised that he or his son (Roger 101?) would join the crusade; he sent nobles to pledge the help offered (:) Odo of Deuil 10