Editing 1190 (section)

==== Byzantine Empire ====
* Spring &ndash; A German expeditionary force (some 15,000 men) led by Emperor [[Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick I]] ('''Barbarossa''') marches towards [[Constantinople]], on the way to the [[Holy Land]]. Emperor [[Isaac II Angelos|Isaac II]] ('''Angelos'''), suspicious that Frederick is planning to conquer Constantinople, attempts to stop him by attacking the Crusaders. The German forces are too strong and they capture [[Edirne|Adrianople]]. A peace treaty is signed by both Isaac and Frederick, that ensures the Germans are given supplies, and free passage through to [[Palestina (region)|Palestina]].<ref>{{Cite book |title=O city of Byzantium: annals of Niketas Choniatēs |url=https://archive.org/details/ocitybyzantiuman00mago |url-access=limited |last=Choniates |first=Nicetas |date=1984 |publisher=Wayne State University Press |translator=Magoulias, Harry J. |isbn=0814317642 |location=Detroit |page=[https://archive.org/details/ocitybyzantiuman00mago/page/n258 224] |oclc=10605650}}</ref> 
* Isaac II starts a campaign against the Bulgarians, who claim their independence. After passing the [[Balkan Mountains]], Isaac marches westward to besiege [[Veliko Tarnovo|Tarnovo]], the new Bulgarian capital. Meanwhile, the Byzantine fleet reaches the [[Danube|Danube River]] in order to block the way of [[Cumans|Cuman]] reinforcements from the North. The defense of Tarnovo is led by [[Ivan Asen I of Bulgaria|Ivan Asen I]], emperor ([[Tsar]]) of [[Second Bulgarian Empire|Bulgaria]]. After spreading rumors of the arrival of a Cuman army to relieve the city, Isaac orders to retreat to [[Stara Zagora]]. 
* [[Battle of Tryavna]]: Byzantine forces under Isaac II are ambushed and defeated by the Bulgarians in a mountain pass, near [[Tryavna]]. In panic, the Byzantines break up and begin a disorganized retreat. Isaac barely escapes, his [[Varangian Guard]] has to cut a path through their own soldiers, enabling their emperor's flight from the rout. The [[Bulgarians]] capture the imperial treasure, including the golden helmet of Isaac, his crown, and the Imperial Cross which contains a wooden piece of the [[True Cross|Holy Cross]].