A great number in the Golden Horn

A band of Latins seized forty-four galleys which they found in the harbor, while another took possession of ships, of which there were a great number in the Golden Horn, and fled. The sick, the aged, and those who did not believe that a massacre was likely, remained behind. Of these some fought in the defence of their property, but were soon overpowered.

Four thousand of both sexes, says William of Tyre, were sold by the Greeks to the Turks and to other infidel peoples. Few were spared. Women and children fell victims to an indiscriminate and reckless fury. The forces of Andronicos joined the mob and took part in a general pillage of the Latin quarter. The priests were struck down in the churches which Manuel had allowed them to build. The sick in the hospital of St. John were dragged from their beds or were burned in the building. The Latin quarters, after being pillaged, were destroyed.

Cardinal John, who had been sent to negotiate for the union of the churches, was beheaded. His head was tied to a dog’s tail and sent spinning about the streets. The reports of the Western writers are doubtless exaggerated, but it is evident that the massacre was an insensate outbreak of mob violence, and caused a great amount of just anger in Italy and Sicily, and it was natural that the countrymen of the sufferers should be ready to avenge their death.

Cousin of King William

Tancred, the cousin of King William, was appointed leader Tancred a an expedition against the empire, having among leader that of avenging the outrages of 11S2.

In 11S5 he seized Dnrazzo, which we have already seen attacked by the grandfathers of the present invaders. More successful than Bohemund, he captured it, and then pushed boldly across the peninsula to Salonica. Aided by sack orsaio his fleet, he took the city by assault after a siege of nine days. The slaughter of the Greeks was great,

while the loss of the Sicilians was not more than 3000. The city was sacked in the fashion for which the Normans had obtained an unenviable renown.