Byzantine Empire
... and promised reasonable help avoiding confrontations. The Byzantine Emperor sought an oath of homage and fealty from the Frankish leaders. The Emperor Alexium was wise in speaking to individual leaders. He used some of the leaders as intermediaries to maintain group control. When opposition occurred to taking the oath, he sent for Godfrey of Bouillon, a Frankish Crusade leader, from over the sea of Pelecanus to set an example for taking the oath, as seen in the Alexiad. Both Byzantine emperors gave military advice to seem helpful, but the advice was restrictive in nature. They foretold of accidents likely to happen on the Crusaders journey. They counseled them never to pursue the Barbarians very far. They warned the Crusaders that if God granted them victory that they should not pursue further for they may be ambushed. Alexium knew the weaknesses of his rivals and planned accordingly to undermine them, with praise, flattery, and wealth. He was outwardly hospitable by providing food and lodging. He provided only reasonable help to the Crusaders. This was complained about by the Franks and was stated by Odo of Deuil. The Franks eventually saw the Greeks as being responsible for considerable losses of possessions with many wounded and dead. The flattery was used to soften the hearts of the Franks. They reported good news of progress without any proof that made the Franks suspicious of the reports. Initially the Frankish leaders could view the Greeks as weak. With the great wealth acquired and military capabilities, they could conquer others. On the other hand they were brilliant leaders in that they used their wealth and manipulations to have others do it for them. The Crusaders viewed them as non-Christians. They were accused of blasphemy when the Greek altars were purified after the Christian priests celebrated mass on them with Propitiatory offerings and ablutions. They re-baptized the Romans if they were to marry a Greek. The Franks were Christians. Pope Urban II first launched them in the Crusade, who stated, " God wills it".(alexiad 251) It was an honor to fight for a cause. They had military prowess. For the Franks no quality is highly esteemed in a man than military prowess. The Franks were condemned for their irresistible manner of attacks, unstable and mobile character. They would disregard truces and were filled with indifference, and had little respect for others. This was seen in Alexiad when the venturesome nobles sat down in the Byzantine Emperor's seat. In Memoirs, another example is demonstrated when Usuma's family was traveling on a safe conduct pass issued from Baldwin III. The ship they were traveling on was broken up by a boatload of men with hatchets sent by the Frankish King, who claimed everything that came ashore as booty. They were agape for money, as was just seen. Also in Alexiad, another story was cited where Bohemund's greed took the gifts bestowed on him even though he was dishonored in the process. Money was seen as a means to gaining power. The Crusaders followed Christian religious traditions. Some of them did not have respect for religious variances. This was shown in Memoirs, when Usama was disrupted several times while praying by a Frank, because he was not facing the East. The Greeks following their own traditions also easily frustrated them. The Franks were observed as having underlying weaknesses because they could be easily manipulated by the Byzantine Emperors and driven out by the Muslims. They fl...