The Fourth Crusade

Introduction 



The 4th crusade started from 1201- 1204 CE was one of 9 horrific crusades, however this crusade is different compared to the other crusades because it captured Constantinople (Istanbul) instead of Jerusalem. Pope Innocent III, a highly intelligent pope that was trained in law, initiated the 4th crusade. Pope Innocent III declared the 4th crusade because he did not accept the agreement between Saladin and King Richard the Lionheart in the 3rd crusade. Innocent thought the resolution was humiliating.



The crusaders and the Venetians

The crusaders, after taking their vows decided they wanted to go to Egypt, their first objective point, since it was a Muslim country that would supply Jerusalem with warriors, and then they would raid Jerusalem. To get to Egypt, the crusaders had to make their way to Venice as they could secure all the transportation in the Mediterranean. The venetians agreed to supply ships to the crusaders but there was a condition; the crusaders had to seize the city of Zara, as they were a commercial and naval rival of Venice. The crusaders agreed to seize the city and within 5 days. Zara recently converted itself to Christianity. Pope Innocent III heard of this news and commanded the crusaders to not destroy the city, but it was too late. The venetians noticed how easy it was for the crusaders to listen to them, so the Venetians took advantage of them.



To Constantinople 

While the crusaders were about to proceed to the muslim country of Egypt, they encountered a rival for the byzantine throne. He bribed the crusaders to install him onto the throne. The venetians also persuaded them to go to turn against Constantinople as it would benefit them because it would increase their trade and influence in the east, it would also benefit the noble crusaders, taking all the wealth and riches they want from Constantinople. The crusaders then headed for Constantinople.

The fall of Constantinople



News spread in and around Constantinople that the crusaders were arriving to seize the city. The Byzantine Emperor heard about it and fled the city, knowing that he will be killed if he was found by the crusaders (Constantinople used to be the Christians until Turks and the Byzantine Emperor invaded it). Once the crusaders arrived at Constantinople, they were expecting a battle from the Turks but the crusaders walked into the city unopposed. They sacked everything they could; monuments, statues and manuscripts, and stealing all the riches and treasures they could find. The crusaders then installed the rival onto the throne. Now that the errand by the Venetians were completed, the crusaders sailed off for Jerusalem.



The second Fall of Constantinople



As soon as the crusaders left for Jerusalem, the rival of the throne was murdered by the turks. Luckily the crusaders were still nearby Constantinople so they headed back. When they arrived, the gates of the city were closed and they could not enter. So the crusaders besieged the city and when they got it, burned it to the ground. The second sacking lasted for 3 days, burning down everything they could. It was the first time the great city of Constantinople had fallen to an outside force since it’s founding in 324 CE.  The 4th crusade was coming to the end. The crusaders ended up not making the journey to Jerusalem just because of the lack of resources such as food and weapons.



The affect this crusade had

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There was nothing bright about this crusade. This crusade was the one that broke off the eastern orthodox church from the Universal Catholic Church. The crusaders also didn’t make it to Jerusalem or to Egypt where they were supposed to be in the first place.​