Working from memory, I think there was a king of the Bulgars (King Krum, I think?) whose army once slaughtered the Byzantine Emperor and accompanying army. The army bedded down in a narrow valley, and when they woke up the Bulgars had built fortifications at either end.... After than, King Krum used the silver inlaid skull of an Emperor as his special cup for when visiting leaders came to call, just to let them know what happened to people who messed with him.
Thats all from fallible memory, but Nick or MOB might remember the details, as the story is in Norwhichs history of Byzantium (highly recommended).
Cheers
David
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