Certainty: 2 Louis VII accepted a Byzantine alliance & departed
Before negotiations began for a treaty, there was for some days a dispute over the venue, forcing the French to eat food set apart for the journey. Manuel wanted discussions in the palace, Louis insisted on a more neutral Asian venue, or perhaps a ship. Manuel revealed his terms: a kinswoman of Louis was to marry one of his nephews, and Louis' barons were to pay homage to Manuel. Manuel offered guides, markets where he could, and allowed plundering where there was no market, if plundered towns were returned empty to him; he also promised rich presents. Further delays were caused by the arrival of Amadeus, count of Maurienne, William III of Montferrat and William, count of Auvergne and others, who had come via Italy. The Byzantines, contrary to usual practice, did not hurry the new arrivals to cross to Asia. Therefore major French nobles plundered nearby areas for food to take on the journey, and bought a boat to enlarge the market and greet the latecomers. Robert, count of Perche, saved his kinswoman from marriage by abducting her and taking her to Nikomedeia, also avoiding the payment of homage. Manuel's terms were discussed by the French barons and bishops. Nobody liked the idea of homage to Manuel, Godfrey of Langres calling it an insult to Louis and asking again for an attack on the capital. His opponents, who were in the majority, spoke of the multiple allegiances common among French barons and insisted on peace among Christians. When the latecomers were shipped over, Louis ordered the army to move. This spurred Manuel to arrange discussions in a fort near the sea, protected by the Byzantine fleet. Louis was annoyed at the delay and the demand for homage from his barons, but turned back with the flower of his army and agreed to Byzantine terms, anxious to promote the Crusade. The terms had changed little: Louis should capture no places owned by Manuel, Manuel should send guides who would provide a market wherever possible, and otherwise allow plunder (plundered places to be left vacant). Homage from the French barons was met with imperial gifts