Marshal of Emperor Henry

This chapter discusses Count Henry's arrival at Rodosto after learning of the army's defeat from Greeks who had escaped Adrianople. Geoffroy of Villehardouin and Enrico Dandolo briefed Count Henry about conditions, including the fall of the entire hinterland to Kalojan and the appearance of Cumans at the very gates of the capital. The chapter highlights Geoffrey's regret that Emperor Baldwin failed to wait for reinforcements from the scattered fiefs before proceeding to Adrianople, causing the defeat of the army. The chapter narrates how twenty-eight-year-old Henry assumed the regency of the empire for his captured brother with the doge and the marshal's tacit consent. Henry faced the formidable task of rebuilding a field army and creating a new chain of command from men of modest backgrounds.