Raymond of Toulouse left his wife at Laodikeia and went to Constantinople to ask for aid, probably seeking permission to hold some part of Northern Syria as an imperial official [Ralph of Caen cannot be right to date the journey after Raymond had begun to attack Tripoli]. Alexios I was pleased that he brought with him the lance as a gift, but also because he was making a personal supplication for aid. Crusaders (including Raymond) had previously often refused help even when it was offered