A noble knight called THIBAULT DE CEPOY, along with an
ecclesiastic of Chartres called Pierre le Riche, and these two succeeded
in executing a treaty of alliance with Venice, of which the original,
dated 14th December, 1306, exists at Paris. Thibault de Cepoy eventually
went on to Greece with a squadron of Venetian Galleys, but accomplished
nothing of moment, and returned to his master in 1310.[8]
[Illustration: Miracle of S. Lorenzo]
During the stay of Thibault at Venice he seems to have made acquaintance
with Marco Polo, and to have received from him a copy of his Book. This is
recorded in a curious note which appears on two existing MSS. of Polo's
Book, viz., that of the Paris Library (10,270 or Fr. 5649), and that of
Bern, which is substantially identical in its text with the former, and
is, as I believe, a copy of it.[9] The note runs as follows: -
"Here you have the Book of which My Lord THIEBAULT, Knight and LORD OF
CEPOY, (whom may God assoil!) requested a copy from SIRE MARC POL,
Burgess and Resident of the City of Venice. And the said Sire Marc Pol,
being a very honourable Person, of high character and respect in many
countries, because of his desire that what he had witnessed should be
known throughout the World, and also for the honour and reverence he
bore to the most excellent and puissant Prince my Lord CHARLES, Son of
the King of France and COUNT OF VALOIS, gave and presented to the
aforesaid Lord of Cepoy the first copy (that was taken) of his said Book
after he had made the same.
