Editing Amalric, King of Jerusalem (section)

====Visit to Constantinople====
[[File:Amaury1A.jpg|thumb|Amalric desired Byzantine help in defeating Shirkuh (up) and was lavishly welcomed in Constantinople (down).]]
In early 1171 Amalric held a general council to discuss the state of the kingdom{{sfn|Barber|2012|p=257}} and its future military policy.{{sfn|Barber|2012|p=258}} It was agreed that embassies and letters seeking help should be sent to all major Latin rulers and to Emperor Manuel. The king shocked the attending barons by suggesting that he himself should visit Manuel. No king of Jerusalem had ever traveled to Constantinople, and Barber believes that the idea betrayed a lack of confidence in western help. Amalric set out on 10 March, having sent Philip of Milly ahead. Philip had resigned as master of the Templars for this purpose, and the butler, Odo of Saint Amand, succeeded him.{{sfn|Barber|2012|p=258}} Amalric traveled with a large party, including the [[bishop of Acre]], [[William (bishop of Acre)|William]], and the [[marshal of Jerusalem|marshal]], {{ill|Gerard of Pugi|fr|Gérard de Pougy}}. The king set sail from Tripoli. He was met at [[Gallipoli]] by his father-in-law, [[John Doukas Komnenos]], who was a nephew of the emperor, and taken to [[Perinthus|Heraclea]]. There he embarked again in order to enter the [[Great Palace of Constantinople]] through the Boukoleon gate, which was an honor reserved for rulers.{{sfn|Runciman|1952|p=391}}

Manuel arranged a lavish welcome for the royal party: Amalric was seated on a throne next to the emperor's, albeit slightly lower; given access to private imperial suites; shown the most precious [[relics]]; treated to music and theater shows; given a guided tour of the city; and taken by ship to view the mouth of the [[Black Sea]].{{sfn|Barber|2012|p=258}} Manuel took a liking to Amalric and the imperial family, especially Amalric's father-in-law, were eager to show hospitality.{{sfn|Runciman|1952|p=391}} Conferences were held daily,{{sfn|Baldwin|1969|p=559}} but the topics and eventual agreement went unrecorded.{{sfn|Runciman|1952|p=391}} The Franks apparently convinced the emperor that they should once again join forces to conquer Egypt. Kinnamos writes that, in return, Amalric had to accept "his subjection" to the empire.{{sfn|Barber|2012|p=258}} Historian Marshall Baldwin is not certain that Amalric regarded himself as a vassal of Manuel.{{sfn|Baldwin|1969|p=559}} The king returned on 15 June, landing at [[Sidon]].{{sfn|Barber|2012|p=258}}

Amalric had to deal with new Muslim attacks immediately upon his return from Constantinople. He assembled a force at the [[Springs of Saffuriya]] to respond to Nur ad-Din's attack in the north while simultaneously Saladin attacked [[Montreal (castle)|Montreal]] in the south. Ibn al-Athir relates that Saladin came close to capturing Montreal, but was advised that Nur ad-Din might turn his attention to him if he defeated Amalric at the same time. In 1172 the king travelled north once again to prevent Cilicia from falling into the hands of the Armenian lord [[Mleh, Prince of Armenia|Mleh]], who had expelled the Templars from their Cilician fortresses and allied with Nur ad-Din. Amalric obtained Mleh's submission, but had to return south when Nur ad-Din launched another diversion by attacking [[Kerak]].{{sfn|Barber|2012|p=259}}