John II Komnenos
The Byzantine author, Theodore Prodromos, praised John II Komnenos for having made Tripoli subject shortly after 1137. Decades later the Byzantine historian Niketas Choniates would also describe Raymond as a liegeman (vassal) of John II Komnenos. Both sources suggest that Raymond renewed his predecessors' oath of loyalty towards the Byzantine emperor, according to Lewis. Nevertheless, Raymond did not participate in John II Komnenos' military campaign against the Muslim rulers of Northern Syria in 1138. Historian Ralph-Johannes Lilie says the lack of sufficient military forces prevented Raymond from assisting the Byzantines.