The Height of Confrontation: John Comnenus (1118–1143)

The transfer of power from Alexius I to his son John II Comnenus took place with comparatively little friction, though with the usual palace intrigues which went on for another year. In general, John continued the policy mapped out by his father; for example, the embassy sent by Alexius to Antioch was not recalled, but continued to negotiate. That the Byzantine ambassadors stayed so long suggests that the crusaders were at least partly interested in an alliance with Byzantium, otherwise Ravendinus would hardly have remained until the summer of 1119 and even have accompanied the Prince of Antioch to the battlefield. From the point of view of Antioch, a certain recognition of Byzantine claims might have seemed thoroughly desirable, since it would give the princedom strong support against the Muhammadans and Armenians as well as against Jerusalem's claims to leadership. Giving back the princedom would not have been under discussion, at least at this time, but if we look at the later propositions of Alice, the widow of Bohemond II, it seems not impossible that something similar was seriously considered.