<P> The French knights preferred to fight on horseback, while the German knights liked to fight on foot . The Roman chronicler John Kinnamos wrote "the French are particularly capable of riding horseback in good order and attacking with the spear, and their cavalry surpasses that of the Germans in speed . The Germans, however, are able to fight on foot better than the French and excel in using the great sword". </P> <P> Conrad III was considered to be a brave knight, though often described as indecisive in moments of crisis . Louis VII was a devout Christian with a sensitive side who was often attacked by contemporaries like Bernard of Clairvaux for being more in love with his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, than being interested in war or politics.: </P> <P> Joscelin tried to take back Edessa following Zengi's murder, but Nur ad - Din defeated him in November 1146 . On 16 February 1147, the French crusaders met at Étampes to discuss their route . The Germans had already decided to travel overland through Hungary, as the sea route was politically impractical because Roger II of Sicily was an enemy of Conrad . Many of the French nobles distrusted the land route, which would take them through the Byzantine Empire, the reputation of which still suffered from the accounts of the First Crusaders . Nevertheless, it was decided to follow Conrad, and to set out on 15 June . Roger II was offended and refused to participate any longer . In France, Abbot Suger and Count William II of Nevers were elected as regents while the king would be on crusade . In Germany, further preaching was done by Adam of Ebrach, and Otto of Freising also took the cross . The Germans planned to set out at Easter, but did not leave until May . </P> <P> The German crusaders, accompanied by the papal legate and cardinal Theodwin, intended to meet the French in Constantinople . Ottokar III of Styria joined Conrad at Vienna, and Conrad's enemy Géza II of Hungary allowed them to pass through unharmed . When the German army of 20,000 men arrived in Byzantine territory, Emperor Manuel I Komnenos feared they were going to attack him, and Byzantine troops were posted to ensure that there was no trouble . There was a brief skirmish with some of the more unruly Germans near Philippopolis and in Adrianople, where the Byzantine general Prosouch fought with Conrad's nephew, the future emperor Frederick . To make matters worse, some of the German soldiers were killed in a flood at the beginning of September . On 10 September, however, they arrived at Constantinople, where relations with Manuel were poor, resulting in a battle, after which the Germans were convinced that they should cross into Asia Minor as quickly as possible . Manuel wanted Conrad to leave some of his troops behind, to assist in defending against attacks from Roger II, who had taken the opportunity to plunder the cities of Greece, but Conrad did not agree, despite being a fellow enemy of Roger . </P>

Where were the second and third crusades announced