Book 11 The First Crusade (1097-1104)

During the First Crusade (1097-1104), the Crusaders captured many cities but also faced many challenges along the way.  The Emperor Alexios wanted to support them while at the same time he needed to protect his own empire.  The crusader Bohemund and Alexios made a pact that if he was able to take it, Bohemund would give Alexios the city of Antioch.  In the end, Bohemund broke his promise, betrayed the pact, and that caused Alexios to launch an attack on Bohemund in Antioch.  During the attack, Bohemund devised a plan to fake his own death and to be carried out of the city in a coffin.  The plan was a success and Bohemund was able to escape the city alive and well inside a coffin to the island of Corfu.  In the end, Bohemund threatened Alexios that he would return to the continent, gather the support of warlike men of Lombardy, the Latins, the Germans and the Franks.  They would return and eliminate him and his empire with bloodshed and murder.