Enmity between Greek and Latin could no longer be assuaged. Foreigners in the city gathered up their goods and crossed the Golden Horn to seek lodging in Galata, or joined the pilgrim camp.
They say Alexius was gone a very long time on his tour and did not get back until Saint Martin’s Day. The people welcomed him affectionately, which they had not done before, thinking that now he had learned to manage affairs. And he for his part, feeling more confident, grew haughty toward the Frankish barons who put him on the throne. He became less grateful to his benefactors, less submissive, no longer came to visit them in camp. And they on their side despised the youth because he had not paid two hundred thousand silver marks as promised. The old emperor Isaac Angelus counseled his son to honor the debt, but he would not listen, nor would members of his court.
Isaac Angelus began to decline, ill, wasting, and spent his days among astrologers. They advised him to remove the ancient statue of the Calydonian Boar from the hippodrome. In legendary days this famous boar had ravaged Anatolia. Now the astrologers persuaded Isaac Angelus to drag it to Boukoleon palace. With help from the boar, they said, we will vanquish the Latin host even as the boar once rent its enemies. Such prophets and monks fed the emperor’s senile fancy, Nicetus wrote, while stuffing themselves on fish and good wine at his table. Have we not seen the like?
Influential at court was a noble wretch untimely let out of prison, by name Murzuphulus. His first name in fact was Ducas, but Murzuphulus they called him because like an ape his tufted eyebrows grew together above his nose. Seven years he languished in the dark for some conspiracy but young Alexius let him go since he was descended from the house of Comneni, from Constantine X and Michael VII. At once this villain insinuated himself and gained the title of Protovestiarius, which means steward of the imperial wardrobe, and with unseemly pride wore the green buskins of office.
Ah, Sire, he whispered to the youth, already you have treated these Franks too generously. Already you have given too much. Would you mortgage your palace? Dismiss them from our land.
Milon le Brébant de Provins, Conan de Béthune, Geoffrey de Villehardouin, and three Venetian counselors rode to Blachernae, swords at their sides. They dismounted by the gate to enter the palace. They found Alexius with his blind old father seated on thrones, Greeks of noble rank all around. Conan de Béthune spoke, saying that he and his companions had come on behalf of the Frankish lords and the doge of Venice, and he presented his argument. It was heard with displeasure by Alexius and the nobility, as was evident from unsmiling faces. It seemed to the Greeks they had been threatened. Some who were present say angry murmurs filled the hall. Others say this affront was met with gracious words but perceptible hatred. Be that as it may, the envoys walked out of Blachernae palace unmolested, thankful to pass through the gate and mount their horses.
Doge Enrico Dandolo had himself rowed across the harbor to consult the arrogant youth. They met on some islet or perhaps along the shore. Chronicles disagree. Yet there is much accord that Enrico Dandolo asked why Alexius behaved with vulgar ingratitude. We have obtained for you the throne of Constantinople, he said, and you should respect the agreement we made. Alexius replied that he would not. Already he had paid enough, he said, asserting that he did not fear the Franks. Indeed, they must vacate the land. If they did not leave he would do them harm. To this the doge replied. We plucked you from shit, miserable boy. We will cast you back.
Enrico Dandolo went away thick with loathing. Presently the high lords gathered but could not agree on what to do. Venetians argued that it would be difficult to operate catapults in cold weather, this being the season between All Hallows and Christmas. And while they occupied themselves with discussion the Greeks packed seventeen ships full of greasy fat, dry wood, shavings, pitch, tow, and other combustibles. At night when a breeze came up they unfurled the sails and set the cargo afire and these vessels began drifting toward the Latin fleet. It is on record that many brave Venetians leapt into galleys and barges, caught these blazing ships with grappling hooks and drew them into the current so they floated out to sea. Otherwise the living army of God would have been imperiled. Had their ships caught fire they would have been stranded on the peninsula. As it happened, only one vessel of the Latin fleet, a merchantman from Pisa, took fire and sank.
Murzuphulus began to plot and whisper against Alexius, whispering that Greece deserved an emperor who could rid the land of Frankish invaders. He sought to frighten Alexius. The great statue of Athena carved by Phidias had stood for centuries in the forum, but Murzuphulus caused a demonstration and pointed out that Athena was facing west as though beseeching the Franks for help. Consequently the statue was attacked, mutilated, arms broken off, head shattered. And Murzuphulus entered Blachernae palace late at night telling the Varangian guard that conspirators had arrived to kill the young emperor and they should hurry outside to put down the revolt. He wakened Alexius and said they must escape because a crowd marched upon the palace to murder him. So they crept out, Alexius hiding his face beneath a cloak. Now the villain led Alexius to
