They rested thus that night. And in the morning, on the day of the
feast of our Lord St. John the Baptist in June (24th June 1203), the
banners and pennants were flown on the castles of the ships, and the
coverings taken from the shields, and the bulwarks of the ships
garnished. Every one looked to his antis, such as he should use, for
well each man knew that full soon he would have need of them.

The sailors weighed the anchors, and spread the sails to the wind, and
God gave them a good wind, such as was convenient to them. Thus they
passed before Constantinople, and so near to the walls and towers that
we shot at many of their vessels. There were so many people on the
walls and towers that it seemed as if there could be no more people
(in the world).

Then did God our Lord set to naught the counsel of the day before, and
keep us from sailing to the islands: that counsel

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fell to naught as if none had ever heard thereof. For lo, our ships
made for the mainland as straight as ever they could, and took port
before a palace of the Emperor Alexius, at a place called Chalcedon.
This was in face of Constantinople, on the other side of the straits,.
towards Turkey. The palace was one of the most beautiful and
delectable that ever eyes could see, with every delight therein that
the heart of man could desire, and convenient for the house of a
prince.

The counts and barons landed and lodged themselves in the palace; and
in the city round about, the main part pitched their tents. Then were