Manuel, who has transformed the austere, conservative court of his father into a gay setting for tournaments and festivities imported from medieval Western Europe, had at the beginning of his reign devoted himself to affairs in the West.

Practically ignoring the growing Turkish threat on the plains of Anatolia, he has renewed his alliances in the West against his Norman rivals in both Sicily and Antioch, alarmed above all by the possibility of an attack by Roger of Sicily.

In anticipation of the arrival of the western armies of the Second Crusade and more aware than they of the delicate power balance in the Levant, he makes peace in 1146 with the Seljuqs of Iconium.

Manuel will assist the crusaders with guides and supplies but will contribute no troops.