Greeks (January 1204). So he made himself emperor. Afterwards they
crowned him at St. Sophia. Now see if. ever people were guilty of such
horrible treachery!

When the Emperor Isaac heard that his son was taken and Mourzuphles
crowned, great fear came upon him, and he fell into a sickness that
lasted no long time. So he died. And the Emperor Mourzuphles caused
the son, whom he had in prison, to be poisoned two or three times; but
it did not please God that he should thus die. Afterwards the emperor
went and strangled him, and when he had strangled him, he caused it to
be reported everywhere that he had died a natural death, and had him
mourned for, and buried honourably and as an emperor, and made great
show of grief.

But murder cannot be hid. Soon was it clearly known, both to the
Greeks and to the French, that this murder had been committed, as has
just been told to you. Then did the barons of the host and the Doge of
Venice assemble in parliament, and with them met the bishops and the
clergy. And all the clergy, including those who had powers from the
Pope, showed to the barons and to the pilgrims that any one guilty of
such a murder had no right to hold lands, and that those who consented
thereto were abettors of the murder; and beyond all this, that the
Greeks had withdrawn themselves from obedience to Rome. "Wherefore we
tell you," said the clergy, " that this war is lawful and just, and
that if you have a right intention in conquering this land, to bring
it into the Roman obedience, all those who die after confession shall
have part in the indulgence granted by the Pope." And you must know
that by this the barons and pilgrims were greatly comforted.

THE CRUSADERS CONTINUE THE WAR - DEFEAT OF MOURZUPHLES