CHAPTER III
ROGER DE FLOR'S CAREER AT CONSTANTINOPLE
Roger de Flor, with many soldiers and adventurers
from Catalonia and Aragon, had fought on the side of
Frederick I of Aragon, while the latter was engaged in
a war against Charles of Anjou, King of Naples, for the
possession of the kingdom of Sicily. When the war was
over, Roger and his companions in arms were without
employment. He then conceived the plan of entering
the service of the Emperor of Constantinople, who was
hard pressed by the Turks. Accordingly he sent two
trustworthy knights to the emperor, with instructions
and full powers to act for him. He offered his services
under the following conditions: that the emperor give
him his niece in marriage; that he appoint him Magaduch
of the empire; and that he pay to the soldiers who came
with Roger a stipulated wage. He felt certain that the
mission of his agents would be successful, and, even
before these returned, was busy making preparations
for the expedition. Finally they came back with the
espousals duly signed and Roger's appointment and
commission as Magaduch. This title and position was
equal to that of prince, and carried with it command of
the soldiers of the empire and authority over the Admiral.
Roger, with the assistance of King Frederick, gathered
a fleet of thirty-six vessels, and in these, without counting
the crews, women, and children, 1500 cavalry and 5000
infantry set sail. On arriving at Constantinople they
were received with great joy. The marriage of Roger
and the emperor's niece was celebrated without delay.
The Genoese who were fighting under the imperial ban-
