Reputation mechanics

[TinCow]

IIRC you get a reputation bonus due to battle if you are the reinforcements to an AI army, but does this apply to only field battles? Specifically, do you get a reputation boost if you initiate the attack on an enemy army that is besieging an allied city? That would certainly be worthy of a big reputation boost, but since you have to initiate the battle I'm not sure if it counts. Does anyone know?

[Brutal DLX]

Good thread! Have to say I also use the map-info-thingy sometimes to make them break the alliance first. Especially useful if you're Muslim faction allied with Christian factions, and one of them gets excommunicated and you know the pope will call for a crusade against them. Recently I managed to keep my reputation at "very reliable" for 100+ turns with the Moors. It definitely has benefits in any kind of negotiation.
I also have a somewhat unrelated question though, has anyone ever used the "ask for military assistance" diplomacy option to any kind of benefit, i.e., did you ever experience the faction you asked actually conducting any kind of siege or battle on their own against your enemy within those 15 turns, or joining you in battle other than by coincidentally standing next to your stack?