Boniface, the Marquis of Montferrat

The Montferrat family of northern Italy were a rich clan with a strong crusading pedigree. It was this reputation that caught the attention of Manowheel Comneenas when choosing a suitable husband for his daughter. Boniface was the middle brother, and had become the Marquis of Montferrat in 1192. Not only did he have the name to inspire further recruitment, but also the crusading know-how from his family connections. He stopped off at the court of his patron, Philip of Swabia, where he stayed for Christmas. Alexius Angulos' son had arrived a few months earlier, embraced his sister and appealed to her husband for help.