The Catalan Expedition to the East: from the `Chronicle' of Ramon Muntaner (Textos B) (VOLUME 49)

Before its definitive fall into Turkish hands, the Byzantine Empire was the target of adventurers of many nations. Outstanding among these groups was the Almogaver army led by Roger of Flor, composed of mercenaries hardened in the war between the Catalan and Angevin dynasties for domination of Sicily. The Catalan presence in Constantinople aroused suspicion among the Greek nobility who assassinated Roger of Flor and tried to exterminate his men. The devastating reaction of those who escaped the slaughter led to Catalan control of broad swathes of the Empire, including Athens. Ramon Muntaner, one of the ringleaders of the expedition, recounted the adventures of the Almogaver army in the eastern Mediterranean in the fascinating section of his Chronicle translated here. Note: pp. 17 (section title) and 162 (bibliography) missing. Contents Ramon Muntaner and his Chronicle, by J.N. Hillgarth Translator's Preface The Catalan Expedition to the East I. On Friar Roger's beginnings II. How Friar Roger joined King Frederick III. On the siege of Messina and how it was raised by Friar Roger IV. On the end of the war, and on how peace was established between King Frederick and Sir Charles and King Charles of Naples V. On how Friar Roger made arrangements to travel to Constantinople VI. On how Friar Roger sent envoys to the Emperor VII. On how the Grand Duke made preparations for travelling to Constantinople VIII. On how there was a violent struggle between the Catalans and the Genoese in Constantinople IX. On how the Grand Duke went to Artaki and defeated the Turks X. On how the Grand Duke presented a very great gift to the Company XI. On the second battle that the Grand Duke fought against the Turks close to Philadelphia XII. On how the Turks were defeated at Tira and on how Corberan of Let perished there XIII. The miracle which took place in the city of Ephesus and the manna from the body of Saint John the Evangelist XIV. On how the Grand Duke was in the city of Anaea and went to the Iron Gate XV. On how the Grand Duke visited the Emperor of Constantinople XVI. On how the noble Berengar of Entença came to Romania XVII. On how the Grand Duke was made Caesar XVIII. On how the forces of the Company stayed in Gallipoli XIX. On how the Caesar perished in the city of Adrianople at the behest of the Emperor’s son XX. On how Berengar of Entença went to the city of Heraclea XXI. On how Berengar of Entença captured the said city of Heraclea XXII. On the council of the Grand Company XXIII. On how the Company fought the first battle against the Emperor in Gallipoli XXIV. On how the Company fought the second battle against the Emperor’s son XXV. On how the Company went to sack the city of Rodosto XXVI. On how Ferdinand Eiximenis of Arenós carried out raids in the immediate vicinity of Constantinople and on how he captured Madytos XXVII. On how Sir Christopher George came to mount an attack upon Gallipoli XXVIII. On how Rocafort raided Stenia XXIX. On how the Company went to fight against the Alans and Ramon Muntaner stayed behind to defend Gallipoli XXX. On how the Genoese challenged the Company XXXI. On how they came to attack Gallipoli XXXII. On how the Turks became part of the Company XXXIII. On how the noble Berengar of Entença came out of prison and returned to Gallipoli XXXIV. On how the Lord Infant Ferdinand came to Romania and to Gallipoli XXXV. On how the members of the Company left Gallipoli and on how there was a fight amongst them in which the noble Berengar of Entença perished XXXVI. On how the Lord Infant left the Company XXXVII. On the sacking of the castle of Phocea XXXVIII. On how the Infant Ferdinand was captured by Venetians XXXIX. On how the Company acknowledged Sir Theobald of Cepoy as commander on behalf of Sir Charles of France XL. On how the Venetian galleys departed from the Company and how I, Ramon Muntaner, went away with them XLI. On the galleys of Riembau des Far XLII. On how the Lord Infant Ferdinand emerged from King Robert’s prison XLIII. On how the members of the Company took Rocafort captive and handed him over to Sir Theobald of Cepoy XLIV. On how the Duke of Athens left the Duchy to the Count of Brienne and on how the Company went to the Morea XLV. On how the Count of Brienne fought against the Company XLVI. On how the Turks and Turcopoles wished to return to their country XLVII. On how the Company took the Duchy of Athens XLVIII. On the German Princes who conquered the Duchy of Athens in the first place XLIX. On a lofty nobleman who visited the Duke of Athens Select Bibliography

Before its definitive fall into Turkish hands, the Byzantine Empire was the target of adventurers of many nations. Outstanding among these groups was the Almogaver army led by Roger of Flor, composed of mercenaries hardened in the war between the Catalan and Angevin dynasties for domination of Sicily. The Catalan presence in Constantinople aroused suspicion among the Greek nobility who assassinated Roger of Flor and tried to exterminate his men. The devastating reaction of those who escaped the slaughter led to Catalan control of broad swathes of the Empire, including Athens. Ramon Muntaner, one of the ringleaders of the expedition, recounted the adventures of the Almogaver army in the eastern Mediterranean in the fascinating section of his Chronicle translated here. The preface is by N. D. Hillgarth. Dr. Robert D. Hughes is a translator and researcher with particular expertise in the fields of fine art, the history of ideas and Catalan culture. Published in association with Editorial Barcino

"Before its definitive fall into Turkish hands, the Byzantine Empire was the target of adventurers of many nations. Outstanding among these groups was the Almogaver army led by Roger of Flor, composed of mercenaries hardened in the war between the Catalan and Angevin dynasties for domination of Sicily. The Catalan presence in Constantinople aroused suspicion among the Greek nobility who assassinated Roger and tried to exterminate his men. The devastating reaction of those who escaped the slaughter led to Catalan control of broad swathes of the Empire, including Athens. Ramon Muntaner, one of the ringleaders of the expedition, recounted the adventures of the Almogaver army in the eastern Mediterranean in his Chronicle."--BOOK JACKET