542 A HISTORY OF THE CRUSADES I 8 Apparently Assassins of Ma~yãf defended
the citadel. On this and on Nur-ad-Din'sillness see above, chapter XVI, pp.
521—522. 
 
a most inopportune controversy over the disposition of the newly conquered
territory stalled the Latin attack. The king intended to concede Shaizar
to count Thierry, knowing that his strength, backed by the resources of a
prominent European family, would be more than sufficient to maintain the
city. Perhaps he envisaged a new Latin state beyond the Orontes, a buffer
state to replace the lost Edessa. At any rate the plan was applauded by everyone
except Reginald, who argued that since Shaizar was a former tributary of
the principality, anyone who held it must swear fealty to him. But a count
of Flanders could hardly be expected to do homage to a minor French baron.
Thierry, therefore, refused such a condition. Unfortunately for the Franks
this quarrel became so serious that the siege had to be abandoned.8 
 NUr-ad-Din sent an emir to take over the city. Later, when his health was
fully restored, he visited Shaizar in person, saw that the damage caused
by earthquake and siege was repaired, and had the defenses put in order.
Thus Shaizar, the last of the towns of middle Syria to maintain some degree
of autonomy, and one which might have become a Christian principality, fell
to the allembracing power of Aleppo. Although Shaizar was lost, it was agreed
that the opportunity presented by the atabeg's illness should not be entirely
wasted. Accordingly Uãrim was besieged and taken after a siege of
two months (February 1158). The city was returned, this time without dispute,
to the jurisdiction of Antioch. The king and the count of Flanders returned
to Jerusalem, count Raymond accompanying them as far as Tripoli. Later in
the same year Thierry and Baldwin raided the Damascus region, forced Nür-ad-Din
to raise the siege of Uabis Jaldak, southeast of Lake Tiberias, and soundly
defeated his troops. A truce followed. 
 Not long before the northern campaign an embassy had been sent to Constantinople
for the purpose of seeking a consort for king Baldwin. It had been felt for
some time that the royal dynasty should be carried on, but the decision to
approach Byzantium at this juncture was especially significant. European
aid was manifestly inadequate and not to be relied upon. It was, therefore,
imperative to seek assistance elsewhere. It was probably shortly after the
arrival of count Thierry in the autumn of 1157 that the envoys set out for
the Byzantine capital. After some time was consumed in discussion it was
agreed that Theodora, Manuel's niece, should