The 4th Crusade

1. The 4th Crusade By: Charles Artino Mike Czechowski

2. Military Tactics • The combination of infantry and calvary was used • There was an emphasis on the use of heavily armored knight (elite arm) • An elite arm would fight on horseback and continuously ran through enemy lines until it broke • This infantry was the biggest part and they received help from some archers • Many fortifications were built. Their food and water supplies were very good. • At the attack of Zara the crusaders used their warships to block the waterway while their army blocked the roads.

3. More Tactics • In their first attempt to take over Constantinople the crusaders agreed with the Venetians that they would attack by land and the Venetians would attack by sea • In the second attempt to take over Constantinople fireproof covering were put over the Venetian ships. This made it easier for the crusaders to take down the sea towers one by one • Venetian ships allowed there to be a blockade of Constantinople from the sea

4. Geography • Constantinople was on a peninsula • The one part where it was connected by land there was two walls that were built to keep enemies away • There was also a sea wall with many towers to defend against navies

5. Why and Who called the Crusade? • Pope Innocent III called the crusade • He originally planned to take over Jerusalem but it was diverted to Constantinople • The reason why is was diverted because the crusaders were persuaded by Alexius Comnenus to take over Constantinople instead

6. Background of the Crusade • After the third crusade Europe wanted nothing to do with the Muslims. • When Pope Innocent III came into papacy he wanted to strengthen European countries. He was able to organize an army to take over Egypt. • He made a deal with the Venetians that took a years worth of work for the Venetians to complete. The crusaders didn’t show up with as many as planned so in order to repay the Venetians back they agreed to sac Constantinople in repayment to the Venetians

7. Who was the 4th Crusade against? • It was against the Byzantine Empire

8. Goals of the Crusaders • To get Alexius Comnenus back on the throne at Constantinople. He said once he was at the throne he would be able to pay for the crusade, but he didn’t raise the money and he was then killed along with his father, • To sack Jerusalem and to loot them of all there treasures.

9. Atrocities of the Crusaders • After they took over Constantinople the crusaders looted the city of all of it’s valuables and relics • They destroyed relics • They raped women • They burned down much of the city • They slaughtered the people of the city • They destroyed monuments, statues, and paintings that had been accrued over thousands of years

10. Legends/ Secret Treasures from the Crusade • The Edessa Cloth. After the crusaders looted all the treasures from Constantinople the Edessa Cloth disappeared. It was the cloth that Jesus was wrapped in after his death and before his resurrection. It is believed to be in Athens

11. Success of the 4th Crusade • The crusaders took over Constantinople, which was the largest trade city at the time • The victories of the 4th Crusade was purely commercial and political • However Almost none of the Crusaders made it to the Holy Land • The Latin Empire took away most of Europe’s crusading energy • It created a lot of enemies for the Latin Empire

12. Difficulties/ Setbacks of the Crusaders • The crusaders were very hotheaded and attacked many of their allies. This lost them alliances • They were over confident and often attacked their former allies in lust to maintain the balance of power • Alexius wasn’t able to pay for the crusade unless he was at the throne of Constantinople

13. Timeline • 1198 - 1204 The Fourth Crusade is called to recapture Jerusalem. but it is diverted to Constantinople instead. • August 1198 Pope Innocent III proclaims the launch of the Fourth Crusade. • December 1198 A special tax on churches is created for the purpose of funding the Fourth Crusade. • February 19, 1199 Pope Innocent III issues a bull which assigns the uniform of a white tunic with a black cross to the Teutonic Knights. This uniform is worn during the Crusades. • 1200 Saladin's brother, Al-Adil, takes control of the Ayyubid Empire. • 1201 Alexius, son of deposed Byzantine emperor Isaac II Angelus, escapes from prison and travels to Europe to seek help in recovering his throne. • November 1202 Christians on the Fourth Crusade arrive at Venice in the hopes of being transported by ship to Venice, but they don't have the 85,000 marks required for payment so the Venetians • November 24, 1202 After just five days of fighting, Crusaders capture the Hungarian port of Zara • 1203 Crusaders abandon the city of Zara and move on Constantinople. Alexius Angelus offers the Crusaders 200,000 marks and the reunification of the Byzantine Church with Rome if they capture Constantinople for him.

14. More of the Timeline • April 06, 1203 Crusaders launch an attack on the Christian city of Constantinople. • July 17, 1203 Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire, falls to Crusading forces from Western Europe • February 1204 The Byzantine nobility re-imprison Isaac II, strangle Alexius IV, and install Alexius Ducas Murtzuphlos on the throne as Alexius V Ducas. • April 11, 1204 After months of not being paid and infuriated at the execution of their ally, Alexius III, soldiers of the Fourth Crusade once again attack Constantinople. • April 12, 1204 The armies of the Fourth Crusade capture Constantinople again and establish the Latin Empire of Byzantium, but not before they sack the city and rape its inhabitants for three straight days • May 16, 1204 Baldwin of Flanders becomes the first Latin Emperor of Constantinople and the Byzantine Empire and French is made the official language.

15. Bibliography • http://www.factsplusfacts.com/shroud-of-turin-history.htm • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_Crusade