CHAPTER XIV

Constantinople.—The Emperor John Palaeologus.—Tafur's family tree.—
The Story of the Fourth Crusade.—Tafur's reception at Court.—
Departure of the Emperor for Europe.

After two days, during which time I refted myself,
I went to make my reverence to the Emperor of Con¬
ftantinople, and all the Caftilians accompanied me.
I arrayed myself as beft I could, putting on the Order
of the Escama,^ which is the device of King Juan,
and I sent for one of the Emperor's interpreters, called
Juan of Seville, a Caftilian by birth, and they say that
the Emperor chose him to be interpreter because he
sang him Caftilian romances to the lute. He came
with me to the Palace, and went in to advise the Em¬
peror that I was there to make my reverence, and they
made me wait an hour while the Emperor sent for
certain knights and prepared himself. I then entered
the Palace, and came to a hall where I found him seated
on a tribune, with a lion's skin spread under his feet.^
I made my reverence there, and told the Emperor that
I had come to see his person and eftate, and to take
knowledge of his lands and lordships, but principally
to learn the truth concerning my lineage, which I had
been told had sprung from that place, and from his
Imperial blood, and I commenced to tell him the
manner in which this was said to have come about.
He replied at once that I was very welcome, and that
he was greatly pleased to see me, and as to that which
I spoke of he would order the ancient records to be
searched, so that the truth of everything might be
ascertained. He asked me for news of the Chriftian
lands and princes, especially concerning the King of
Spain, my Mafter, and of his eftate and his war with

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