Editing Manuel I Komnenos (section)

===Prince of Antioch===
[[Image:Map Crusader states 1135-en.svg|thumb|The County of Edessa in the context of the other states of the [[Near East]] in 1135]]
The first test of Manuel's reign came in 1144, when he was faced with a demand by [[Raymond of Poitiers|Raymond]], [[Prince of Antioch]], for the cession of [[Cilicia|Cilician]] territories. However, later that year the crusader [[County of Edessa]] was engulfed by the tide of a resurgent Islamic [[jihad]] under [[Imad al-Din Zengi|Imad ad-Din Zengi]]. Raymond realized that immediate help from the west was out of the question. With his eastern flank now dangerously exposed to this new threat, there seemed little option but for him to prepare for a humiliating visit to Constantinople. Swallowing his pride, he made the journey north to submit to Manuel and ask for protection. He was promised the support that he had requested, and his allegiance to Byzantium was secured.<ref name="M173">J. Cinnamus, ''Deeds of John and Manuel Comnenus'', 33–35<br/>* P. Magdalino, ''The Empire of Manuel I Komnenos'', 40</ref>