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bles against the pontiff's support of Otlio. By pnttin<^^ in the front the promise of young Alexis to aid in bringing about the union of the churclies, tlie pope might be induced to support him. If he did so he could hardl}^ continue to support Otho, since Philip's influence with the army would then be too powerful to be disregarded. If the pope refused, it remained to be seen what could be done through Boniface with the Venetians and the Crusaders. Boniface reached Home early in March, 1202.* Alexis had Boniface already been received in solemn audience by the visits Kome. pope, the cardiuals, and the Koman nobility. lie had asked for justice against his uncle. He urged that the whole city desired that he should become emperor, and he in- sisted much upon his power to bring about a union of the two churches. The pope seems to have hesitated as to the answer which he should give. The ofi'er was tempting, and especially perhaps because Alexis insisted that he had a large party dev^oted to his interests in the IN'ew Home which would be ready to rise on his approach. The pope concluded by distinctly refusing to promise any aid to Alexis. On the arrival of Boniface the proposals were again submitted, but with a like result. Shortly afterwards the latter left Rome in deep disappointment, having altogether failed in the ac- complishment of his and Philip's designs. From the moment of the failure in Rome, Boniface turned his attention to the execution of his designs by means of the army under his command. After a short visit made by him- self and Alexis to Boniface's domains at Montferrat, we find the pretender at Yerona, the city which commands the Bren- ner Pass, by which the German pilgrims came, as well as the road through Lombardy along which the Crusaders coming from France must needs travel. On August 15, 1202, Boniface arrived in Venice. He found necroes to ^^^® ^^^Jj ^^ ^^^^ li'^i^'e already seen, on the Lido in a vemce. state of the greatest distress. Forbidden to leave the island, plague-stricken, in need of provisions, wishing to ^ March 11, Winkleman, p. 256. ' " Cliron. Novgorod."