dwin rode towards Salonika, as he devised, with all his people, and
with all his power. And Boniface, the Marquis of Montferrat, went
back, and he took with him a great number of right worthy people. With
him went James of Avesnes, William of Champlitte, Hugh of Colemi,
Count Berthold of Katzenellenbogen, and the greater part of those who
came from the Empire of Germany and held with the marquis. Thus did
the marquis ride back till he came to a castle, very goodly, very
strong, and very rich, which is called Demotica; and it was
surrendered by a Greek of the city, and when the marquis had entered
therein he garrisoned it. Then because of their knowledge of the
empress (his wife), the Greeks began to turn towards him, and to
surrender to his rule from all the country round about, within a day
or two's journey.

The Emperor Baldwin rode straight on to Salonika, and came to a castle
called Christopolis, one of the strongest in the world. And it
surrendered, and those of the city did homage to him. Afterwards he
came to another place called Blache, which was very strong and very
rich, and this too surrendered, and the people did homage. Next he
came to Cetros, a city strong and rich, and it also came to his rule
and order, and did homage. Then he rode to Salonika, and encamped
before the city, and was there for three days. And those within
surrendered the city, which was one of the best and wealthiest in
Christendom at that day, on condition that

74

he would maintain the uses and customs theretofore observed by the
Greek emperor.