Fourth Crusade - Revision history

Irlandos at 08:26, February 14, 2009

2009-02-14T08:26:04Z

Irlandos at 13:36, February 13, 2009

2009-02-13T13:36:01Z

Irlandos: /* References */

2007-12-28T10:05:05Z

References

Irlandos: /* Final capture of Constantinople; outcome */

2007-10-12T10:04:49Z

Final capture of Constantinople; outcome

Irlandos at 10:02, October 12, 2007

2007-10-12T10:02:11Z

Irlandos: /* See also */

2007-08-06T09:36:22Z

Irlandos: /* Diversion to Constantinople */

2007-08-06T09:35:46Z

Diversion to Constantinople

Irlandos: /* See also */

2006-04-05T19:09:33Z

Irlandos: /* Further attacks on Constantinople */

2006-01-23T12:26:37Z

Further attacks on Constantinople

Irlandos: /* Diversion to Constantinople */

2006-01-23T12:25:31Z

Diversion to Constantinople

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 [[Category:Byzantine Empire]]
-[[Category:Latin Empire]]
+[[Category:Medieval Greece]]
 [[Category:1200s]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:36, February 13, 2009
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	[[Category:Byzantine Empire]]		[[Category:Byzantine Empire]]
		+	[[Category:Latin Empire]]
	[[Category:1200s]]		[[Category:1200s]]

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 ==References==
 ===''Primary Sources''===
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 *Donald E. Queller and Thomas F. Madden, ''The Fourth Crusade: The Conquest of Constantinople'' (2nd Edition, 1999) ISBN 0812217136
 *D. E. Queller and Susan J. Stratton, "A Century of Controversy on the Fourth Crusade", ''Studies in Medieval and Renaissance History'' v. 6 (1969): 237-277; reprinted in D. Queller, ''Medieval Diplomacy and the Fourth Crusade'', London: Variorum Reprints, 1980
 [[Category:Byzantine Empire]]
 [[Category:1200s]]

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 The crusaders were eventually able to knock holes in the walls, small enough for a few knights at a time to crawl through; the Venetians were also successful at scaling the walls from the sea, though there was extremely bloody fighting with the Varangians. The crusaders captured the [[Blachernae]] section of the city in the northwest and used it as a base to attack the rest of the city, but while attempting to defend themselves with a wall of fire, they ended up burning down even more of the city than they had the first time. Eventually, the crusaders were victorious, and the citizens of the city, strangely, at least to western eyes, welcomed them into the city as usurpers, not as conquerors. The crusaders did not see it this way, and they inflicted a horrible and savage sacking on Constantinople for three days, during which many ancient works of art were stolen or destroyed.
-According to a pre-arranged treaty, the empire was apportioned between Venice and the Crusade's leaders, and the [[Latin Empire]] at Constantinople was established. Boniface was not elected as the new emperor, although the citizens seemed to consider him as such; the Venetians thought he had too many connections with the former empire because of his brother's land holdings, and instead placed [[Baldwin I of Constantinople|Baldwin of Flanders]] on the throne. Boniface went on to found the [[Kingdom of Thessalonica]], a vassal state of the new Latin Empire. The Venetians also founded the [[Duchy of the Archipelago]] in the Aegean Sea. Meanwhile, Byzantine refugees founded their own [[successor state]]s, the most notable of these being the [[Empire of Nicaea]] under [[Theodore I Lascaris|Theodore Lascaris]], the [[Empire of Trebizond]], and the [[Despotate of Epirus]].
+According to a pre-arranged treaty, the empire was apportioned between Venice and the Crusade's leaders, and the [[Latin Empire]] at Constantinople was established. Boniface was not elected as the new emperor, although the citizens seemed to consider him as such; the Venetians thought he had too many connections with the former empire because of his brother's land holdings, and instead placed [[Baldwin I of Constantinople|Baldwin of Flanders]] on the throne. Boniface went on to found the [[Kingdom of Thessalonica]], a vassal state of the new Latin Empire. The Venetians also founded the [[Duchy of the Archipelago]] in the Aegean Sea. Meanwhile, Byzantine refugees founded their own successor states, the most notable of these being the [[Empire of Nicaea]] under [[Theodore I Lascaris|Theodore Lascaris]], the [[Empire of Trebizond]], and the [[Despotate of Epirus]].
 ==See also==

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 *D. E. Queller and Susan J. Stratton, "A Century of Controversy on the Fourth Crusade", ''Studies in Medieval and Renaissance History'' v. 6 (1969): 237-277; reprinted in D. Queller, ''Medieval Diplomacy and the Fourth Crusade'', London: Variorum Reprints, 1980
-[[Category:Crusades]]
 [[Category:Byzantine Empire]]
 [[Category:1200s]]

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 ==See also==
-* [[Alexius III]]
+* [[Alexius III Angelos|Alexius III]]
 * [[Alexius IV]]
 * [[Alexius V]]

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 Boniface, meanwhile, had left the fleet before it sailed from Venice, and had visited his cousin Philip of Swabia. The reasons for his visit are a matter of debate; he may have realized the Venetians' plans and left to avoid excommunication, or he may have wanted to meet with [[Alexius IV|Byzantine Prince Alexius Angelos]], Philip's brother-in-law and the son of the recently deposed Byzantine emperor [[Isaac II]]. Alexius had fled to Philip when his father was overthrown in [[1195]], but it is unknown whether or not Boniface knew he was at Philip's court. In any case, Alexius offered to pay off the Crusaders' debt to Venice, if they would restore his family to the Byzantine throne, an offer Boniface found difficult to refuse. Boniface may also have had in mind the former land holdings of his brother [[Renier of Montferrat]], who had married a daughter of emperor [[Manuel I Comnenus]] but had been murdered in a Byzantine faction-struggle in [[1183]].  Alexius returned with Boniface to rejoin the fleet at [[Corfu]] after it sailed from Zara, and the Venetians, when they learned of Alexius' idea, were particularly pleased with it. They also had been personally offended by the Byzantines in recent years, as thousands of western Europeans (including many Venetians) had been killed in riots against their merchant communities in Constantinople in [[1182]].
-The Crusaders were still reluctant to attack fellow Christians, but the clergy convinced them that the Orthodox Byzantines were the next best thing to the Muslims. They had allied with Saladin against the Third Crusade, and had done nothing to aid the Second Crusade; they should be punished for their lack of support. Unfortunately for them, Alexius Angelus had overstated his importance and it was quickly discovered when the crusaders arrived at the walls of Constantinople that the citizens preferred an usurper to an emperor supported by the hated "Latins". The crusaders and Venetians decided to place Alexius on the throne by force, and an amphibious assault was launched on the city in [[1203]]. Unexpectedly, emperor [[Alexius III]] panicked and fled, and the citizens of Constantinople reluctantly welcomed Alexius Angelus back into the city. He was crowned emperor as [[Alexius IV]], and his father Isaac II was restored as co-emperor.
+The Crusaders were still reluctant to attack fellow Christians, but the clergy convinced them that the Orthodox Byzantines were the next best thing to the Muslims. They had allied with Saladin against the Third Crusade, and had done nothing to aid the Second Crusade; they should be punished for their lack of support. Unfortunately for them, Alexius Angelus had overstated his importance and it was quickly discovered when the crusaders arrived at the walls of Constantinople that the citizens preferred an usurper to an emperor supported by the hated "Latins". The crusaders and Venetians decided to place Alexius on the throne by force, and an amphibious assault was launched on the city in [[1203]]. Unexpectedly, emperor [[Alexius III Angelos|Alexius III]] panicked and fled, and the citizens of Constantinople reluctantly welcomed Alexius Angelus back into the city. He was crowned emperor as [[Alexius IV]], and his father Isaac II was restored as co-emperor.
 ==Further attacks on Constantinople==

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 ==Further attacks on Constantinople==
-The crusaders were opposed to Isaac, as they had never met him and did not believe he was part of their deal with Alexius, but the Byzantines did not want Alexius, who was just as unknown to them, to rule by himself. Isaac soon realized that Alexius' promises were impossible to keep, and Alexius was forced to rescind on his bargain as the imperial treasury was empty. Alexius also had to deal with the growing hatred by the citizens of Constantinople for the "Latins" in their midst. Factions opposed to the Latins frequently attacked any crusaders they could find, and Alexius had to tell his allies to leave and set up camp on the other side of the [[Golden Horn]]. Nevertheless there was still fighting in the city, and during an attack by the crusaders on a [[mosque]] (which they were shocked to find in the Christian city), a large part of Constantinople was burned down. Opposition to Alexius IV grew, and one of his courtiers, Alexius Ducas Murtzuphlos, soon overthrew him and had him strangled to death. Alexius Ducas took the throne himself as [[Alexius V]]; Isaac died soon afterwards, probably naturally.
+The crusaders were opposed to Isaac, as they had never met him and did not believe he was part of their deal with Alexius, but the Byzantines did not want Alexius, who was just as unknown to them, to rule by himself. Isaac soon realized that Alexius' promises were impossible to keep, and Alexius was forced to rescind on his bargain as the imperial treasury was empty. Alexius also had to deal with the growing hatred by the citizens of Constantinople for the "Latins" in their midst. Factions opposed to the Latins frequently attacked any crusaders they could find, and Alexius had to tell his allies to leave and set up camp on the other side of the [[Golden Horn]]. Nevertheless there was still fighting in the city, and during an attack by the crusaders on a mosque (which they were shocked to find in the Christian city), a large part of Constantinople was burned down. Opposition to Alexius IV grew, and one of his courtiers, Alexius Ducas Murtzuphlos, soon overthrew him and had him strangled to death. Alexius Ducas took the throne himself as [[Alexius V]]; Isaac died soon afterwards, probably naturally.
-The Crusaders and Venetians, incensed at the murder of their supposed patron, attacked the city once more in [[1204]]. Alexius V, who had a much larger army, although it was much more poorly trained, marched his troops outside Constantinople and seemed to prepare for an all-out assault on the crusader force. As the crusaders panicked and armed everyone they could find, including cooks who wore their pots as helmets, Alexius V turned around and marched his army back into the city. It is possible that his foot soldiers were afraid of the western [[knight|knights]], who had defeated them earlier in the year in skirmishes outside the city, but the actual reason for Alexius' refusal to fight is unknown. Although Innocent III had again warned them not to attack, the papal letter was suppressed by the clergy, and the crusaders prepared for their own attack, while the Venetians attacked from the sea; Alexius' army stayed in the city to fight, along with the imperial bodyguard, the [[Varangian]]s, but Alexius himself fled during the night.
+The Crusaders and Venetians, incensed at the murder of their supposed patron, attacked the city once more in [[1204]]. Alexius V, who had a much larger army, although it was much more poorly trained, marched his troops outside Constantinople and seemed to prepare for an all-out assault on the crusader force. As the crusaders panicked and armed everyone they could find, including cooks who wore their pots as helmets, Alexius V turned around and marched his army back into the city. It is possible that his foot soldiers were afraid of the western knights, who had defeated them earlier in the year in skirmishes outside the city, but the actual reason for Alexius' refusal to fight is unknown. Although Innocent III had again warned them not to attack, the papal letter was suppressed by the clergy, and the crusaders prepared for their own attack, while the Venetians attacked from the sea; Alexius' army stayed in the city to fight, along with the imperial bodyguard, the Varangians, but Alexius himself fled during the night.
 ==Final capture of Constantinople; outcome==

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 ==Diversion to Constantinople==
-Boniface, meanwhile, had left the fleet before it sailed from Venice, and had visited his cousin [[Philip of Swabia]]. The reasons for his visit are a matter of debate; he may have realized the Venetians' plans and left to avoid excommunication, or he may have wanted to meet with [[Alexius IV|Byzantine Prince Alexius Angelos]], Philip's brother-in-law and the son of the recently deposed Byzantine emperor [[Isaac II]]. Alexius had fled to Philip when his father was overthrown in [[1195]], but it is unknown whether or not Boniface knew he was at Philip's court. In any case, Alexius offered to pay off the Crusaders' debt to Venice, if they would restore his family to the Byzantine throne, an offer Boniface found difficult to refuse. Boniface may also have had in mind the former land holdings of his brother [[Renier of Montferrat]], who had married a daughter of emperor [[Manuel I Comnenus]] but had been murdered in a Byzantine faction-struggle in [[1183]].  Alexius returned with Boniface to rejoin the fleet at [[Corfu]] after it sailed from Zara, and the Venetians, when they learned of Alexius' idea, were particularly pleased with it. They also had been personally offended by the Byzantines in recent years, as thousands of western Europeans (including many Venetians) had been killed in riots against their merchant communities in Constantinople in [[1182]].
+Boniface, meanwhile, had left the fleet before it sailed from Venice, and had visited his cousin Philip of Swabia. The reasons for his visit are a matter of debate; he may have realized the Venetians' plans and left to avoid excommunication, or he may have wanted to meet with [[Alexius IV|Byzantine Prince Alexius Angelos]], Philip's brother-in-law and the son of the recently deposed Byzantine emperor [[Isaac II]]. Alexius had fled to Philip when his father was overthrown in [[1195]], but it is unknown whether or not Boniface knew he was at Philip's court. In any case, Alexius offered to pay off the Crusaders' debt to Venice, if they would restore his family to the Byzantine throne, an offer Boniface found difficult to refuse. Boniface may also have had in mind the former land holdings of his brother [[Renier of Montferrat]], who had married a daughter of emperor [[Manuel I Comnenus]] but had been murdered in a Byzantine faction-struggle in [[1183]].  Alexius returned with Boniface to rejoin the fleet at [[Corfu]] after it sailed from Zara, and the Venetians, when they learned of Alexius' idea, were particularly pleased with it. They also had been personally offended by the Byzantines in recent years, as thousands of western Europeans (including many Venetians) had been killed in riots against their merchant communities in Constantinople in [[1182]].
-The Crusaders were still reluctant to attack fellow Christians, but the clergy convinced them that the Orthodox Byzantines were the next best thing to the Muslims. They had allied with Saladin against the [[Third Crusade]], and had done nothing to aid the Second Crusade; they should be punished for their lack of support. Unfortunately for them, Alexius Angelus had overstated his importance and it was quickly discovered when the crusaders arrived at the walls of Constantinople that the citizens preferred an usurper to an emperor supported by the hated "Latins". The crusaders and Venetians decided to place Alexius on the throne by force, and an amphibious assault was launched on the city in [[1203]]. Unexpectedly, emperor [[Alexius III]] panicked and fled, and the citizens of Constantinople reluctantly welcomed Alexius Angelus back into the city. He was crowned emperor as [[Alexius IV]], and his father Isaac II was restored as co-emperor.
+The Crusaders were still reluctant to attack fellow Christians, but the clergy convinced them that the Orthodox Byzantines were the next best thing to the Muslims. They had allied with Saladin against the Third Crusade, and had done nothing to aid the Second Crusade; they should be punished for their lack of support. Unfortunately for them, Alexius Angelus had overstated his importance and it was quickly discovered when the crusaders arrived at the walls of Constantinople that the citizens preferred an usurper to an emperor supported by the hated "Latins". The crusaders and Venetians decided to place Alexius on the throne by force, and an amphibious assault was launched on the city in [[1203]]. Unexpectedly, emperor [[Alexius III]] panicked and fled, and the citizens of Constantinople reluctantly welcomed Alexius Angelus back into the city. He was crowned emperor as [[Alexius IV]], and his father Isaac II was restored as co-emperor.
 ==Further attacks on Constantinople==