# 1197: Henry VI, son of Frederick Barbarossa, made no secret of his hatred of Byzantium and his ambitions to build a Mediterranean dominion. In 1197 a German expedition landed at Acre in Palestine; it was to be the forerunner of a greater army led by Henry himself. Pope Celestine III made no attempt to dissuade him, but he advised him not to attack Constantinople because he was negotiating with the emperor the ''Union of the Churches''. Henry's sudden death at 32 put an end to this German expedition.
==Diversion to Constantinople==<!-- [[Sack of Constantinople]] redirects here -->[[Image:Eugène Ferdinand Victor Delacroix 012.jpg|thumb|300px|''The Entry of the Crusaders into Constantinople'Chronology ' ([[Eugène Delacroix]], 1840). The most infamous action of the Fourth Crusade (Diversion was the sack of the Fourth Crusade)'''==Orthodox Christian city of [[Constantinople]]]]
Nov[[Boniface I, Marquess of Montferrat|Boniface of Montferrat]], meanwhile, had left the fleet before it sailed from Venice, to visit his cousin [[Philip of Swabia]]. 1198 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 the Byzantine prince [[Alexius IV Angelus|Alexius Angelus]], Philip's brother- The popular preacher Fulk in-law and the son of Neuilly the recently deposed Byzantine emperor [[Isaac II Angelus]]. Alexius had fled to Philip when his father was overthrown in 1195, but it is commissioned by Pope Innocent unknown whether or not Boniface knew he was at Philip's court. There, Alexius IV offered 200,000 silver marks, 10,000 men to help the Crusaders, the maintenance of 500 knights in the Holy Land, the service of the Byzantine navy to transport the Crusader Army to Egypt and the placement of the [[Greek Orthodox Church]] under the [[Roman Catholic Church]] if they would sail to Byzantium and topple the reigning emperor Alexius III to preach Angelus. It was a tempting offer for an enterprise that was short on funds. Greco-Latin relationships had been complicated ever since the crusade[[East-West Schism|Great Schism]] of 1054.
28 NovThe Latins of the [[First Crusade|First]], [[Second Crusade|Second]], and [[Third Crusade]] had been hostile to Constantinople on their way to the Holy Land, whereas the Greeks had been accused of betraying the Crusaders to the Turks. 1199 A large number of Venetian merchants were also attacked and deported during anti- At the tournament Latin riots in Constantinople in Ecry1182. However, many young counts the Byzantine prince's proposal involved his restoration to the throne, not the sack of his capital city, which Count Boniface agreed to. Alexius IV returned with the Marquess to rejoin the fleet at [[Corfu]] after it had sailed from Zara. The rest of the Crusade'take s leaders eventually accepted the cross'': Thibald plan as well. There were many leaders, however, of the rank and file who wanted nothing to do with the proposal, and many deserted. The fleet of Champagne 60 [[war]] [[galleys]], 100 [[Horse transports in the Middle Ages|horse transports]], and 50 large [[Troopship|transports]] (leaderthe entire fleet was manned by 10,000 Venetian oarsmen and marines)arrived at Constantinople in late June 1203.<ref name="Phillips269">J. Phillips, Louis ''The Fourth Crusade and the Sack of BloisConstantinople'', Simon de Montfort269</ref> In addition, Reynald 300 siege engines were brought along on board the fleet.<ref name="siege">J. Phillips, ''The Fourth Crusade and the Sack of MontmirailConstantinople'', etc.113</ref>
23 Feb. 1200 - Baldwin of Flanders takes When the cross.- shortly thereafter - Fourth Crusade arrived at Constantinople, the city had a meeting in Soissonspopulation of 150,000 people, it was decided to delay the Crusade due to lack a garrison of support 30,000 men (manpowerincluding 5,000 [[Varangians]]), and a fleet of 20 galleys.<ref name="byzantines">J.- 2 months later - at Compiegne - it Phillips, ''The Fourth Crusade and the Sack of Constantinople'', 159</ref> The Crusaders' initial motive was decided to take restore Isaac II to the sea route Byzantine throne so that they could receive the support that they were promised. [[Conon of Bethune]] delivered this message to the EastLombard envoy who was sent by the reigning emperor [[Alexius III Angelus]], who had deposed his brother Isaac. A group The citizens of 6 envoys Constantinople were not concerned with the deposed emperor and his exiled son; usurpations were sent to Venice to negotiate frequent in Byzantine affairs, and thistime the throne had even remained in the same family. Geoffroy de Villehardouin (author The Crusaders sailed alongside Constantinople with 10 galleys to display Alexius III, but from the [[walls of Constantinople|walls of the city]] the Byzantines taunted the puzzled crusaders, who had been promised that Prince Alexius would be welcomed.<ref name="taunt">J. Phillips, ''Chronicles The Fourth Crusade and the Sack of Constantinople'', 164</ref> First the crusaders captured and sacked the Crusadescities of [[Chalcedon]] and [[Chrysopolis]], then they defeated 500 Byzantine cavalrymen in battle with just 80 Frankish knights.<ref name="battle">J. Phillips, ''") was one The Fourth Crusade and the Sack of these.Constantinople'', 162</ref>
Feb. 1201 - Ducal Council ===Siege of Doge Enrico Dandolo of Venice. It was decided that the fleet was to be ready by 29 June 1202.July 1203===
June 1201 - at SoissonsTo take the city by force, Boniface of Montferrat takes the crusaders first needed to cross the Bosphorus. About 200 ships, horse transports and is made leader galleys would undertake to deliver the crusading army across the narrow strait, where Alexius III had lined up the Byzantine army in battle formation along the shore, north of the suburb of Galata. The Crusader's knights charged straight out of the horse transports, and the Byzantine army fled south. [[Image:Constantinople Mural Fourth Crusade.jpg|thumb|left|300px|A mural depicting the Venetian Fleet entering the [[Golden Horn]] after breaking the chains that protected the city]]The Crusaders followed south, and attacked the Tower of Galata, which held one end of the chain that blocked access to the Golden Horn. As they laid siege to the Tower, the Greeks counterattacked with some initial success. However, when the Crusaders rallied and the Greeks retreated to the Tower, the Crusaders were able to follow the soldiers through the Gate, and the Tower surrendered. The Golden Horn now lay open to the Crusaders, and the Venetian fleet entered.
cOn July 11, the Crusaders took positions opposite the Blachernae palace on the northwest corner of the city , and began the siege in earnest on July 17, with four divisions attacking the land walls, while the Venetian fleet attacked the sea walls from the Golden Horn.Sept The Venetians took a section of the wall of about 25 towers, while the Varangian guard held off the Crusaders on the land wall. 1201 - Alexius IV (son of deposed Emperor Isaac) escapes Constantinople The Varangians shifted to meet the new threat, and reaches the West - specifically, Phillip Venetians retreated under the screen of fire. The fire destroyed about 120 acres of Swabia's Christmas court in Hagenau Germanythe City.
Late SummerAlexius III finally took offensive action, and led 17 divisions from the St. Romanus Gate, vastly outnumbering the crusaders. Alexius III's army of about 8,500 men faced the Crusader's 7 divisions (about 3,500 men), but his courage failed, and the Byzantine army returned to the city without a fight.<ref name="battle2">J. Phillips, ''The Fourth Crusade and the Sack of Constantinople'', 177</Autumn 1201 - Boniface ref> The retreat and the effects of Montferrat arrives at Hagenau:the fire greatly damaged morale, causing the citizens of Constantinople to turn against Alexius III, who then fled. The destructive fire left 20,000 people homeless.<ref name="fire">J. Phillips, ''The Fourth Crusade and the Sack of Constantinople'', 176</ref> Prince Alexius was elevated to the throne as Alexius IV along with his blind father Isaac.
''(Possibility ===Further attacks on Constantinople===[[Alexius IV]] realised that his promises were hard to keep. [[Alexius III]] had managed to flee with 1,000 pounds of Phillip gold and some priceless jewels, leaving the imperial treasury short on funds. At that point the young emperor ordered the destruction and melting of Swabiavaluable Byzantine and Roman icons in order to extract their gold and silver, Alexius IVbut even then he could only raise 100, and Boniface 000 silver marks. In the eyes of all Greeks who knew of Montferrat discussing this decision, it was a change in direction for shocking sign of desperation and weak leadership, which deserved to be punished by God. The Byzantine historian Nicetas Choniates characterized it as "the turning point towards the Crusade = diversion decline of the Fourth Crusade)Roman state".''
''FebThus Alexius IV had to deal with the growing hatred by the citizens of Constantinople for the "Latins" and vice versa. 1202 In fear of his life, the co- emperor asked the Crusaders to renew their contract for another six months, to end by April 1204. There was, nevertheless, still fighting in the city. In August 1203 the crusaders attacked a mosque, which was defended by a combined Muslim and Greek opposition. Meanwhile, Alexius IV had led 6,000 men from the Crusader army against his rival Alexius speaks to Pope Innocent IIIV in Adrianople.''<ref name = "exp"/>
On the second attempt of the Venetians to set up a wall of fire to aid their escape, they instigated the "Great Fire", in which a large part of Constantinople was burned down. Opposition to Alexius IV grew, and one of his courtiers, Alexius Ducas (nicknamed 'Murtzuphlos'March 1202 - Boniface speaks with Pope Innocent IIIbecause of his thick eyebrows), soon overthrew him and had him strangled to death. Alexius Ducas took the throne himself as [[Alexius V]]; Isaac died soon afterward, probably of natural causes.''
15 AugThe crusaders and Venetians, incensed at the murder of their supposed patron, demanded that Murtzuphlos honor the contract which Alexius IV had promised. 1202 - Boniface joins When the Byzantine emperor refused the Crusaders assaulted the city once again. On April 8th, Alexius V's army in Veniceput up a strong resistance which did much to discourage the crusaders.
Early Autumn 1202 The Greeks pushed enormous projectiles onto the enemy siege engines, shattering many of them. A serious hindrance to the crusaders was bad weather conditions. Wind blew from the shore and prevented most of the ships from drawing close enough to the walls to launch an assault. Only five of the Greek towers were actually engaged and none of these could be secured; by mid- too few Crusaders show up; great debt owed to Veniceafternoon it was evident that the attack had failed.
1 OctThe clergy discussed the situation amongst themselves and settled upon the message they wished to spread through the demoralized army. They had to convince the men that the events of [[9 April]] were not God's judgment on a sinful enterprise: the campaign, they argued, was righteous and with proper belief it would succeed. 1202 - Army sets out The concept of God testing the determination of the crusaders through temporary setbacks was a familiar means for the Dalmatian coast, city clergy to explain failure in the course of Zaraa campaign.
After 10 NovThe clergy's message was designed to reassure and encourage the crusaders. 1202 - a letter of Pope Innocent III forbids Their argument that the Crusaders to attack any Christian cityon Constantinople was spiritual revolved around two themes. First, the Greeks were traitors and murderers since they had killed their rightful lord, Alexius IV. The churchmen used inflammatory language and he names Zara by nameclaimed that "the Greeks were worse than the Jews", since and they invoked the king authority of that city had also taken God and the crosspope to take action.
11-24 Nov. 1202 - Siege of Zara. The city is sacked. After 24 Nov.1202 - The pope excomminicates Although Innocent III had again demanded that they not attack, the Crusaders, but shortly thereafter absolves them all (except papal letter was suppressed by the Venetians)clergy, in order to prevent the breakup of the Crusade. Dec. 1202 - Boniface arrives at Zara. '''Dec. 1202 - Envoys of Phillip of Swabia arrive in Zara and present the proposal of Alexius IV to the Crusade leaders -- crusaders prepared for them to restore Alexius to their own attack, while the throne in exchange for a list of hefty concessions.''' 24 May 1203 - The Crusaders depart Venetians attacked from Corfu after having ratified the proposal of Alexius IV, in sea; AlexiusV' presence, by oath. Alexius accompanies the Crusaders from here on. 24 June 1203 - Arrival before the walls of Constantinople. 18 June 1203 - FIRST SEIGE of Constantinople. The city falls. First fire s army stayed in the city. Alexius III fleesto fight, and then Alexius IV and Isaac are crowned co-emperors. August 1203 - Delays in payment by Alexius IV to along with the Crusaders detain them in Constantinople. They end up wintering in imperial bodyguard, the city instead of leaving for Egypt. Dec. 1203 - Jan.1204 - Riots in the city. Second fire in the city. 28 Jan. 1204 - A coup d'etat by Murtzuphlus[[Varangians]], who crowns himself but Alexius V. 8 April, 1204 - SECOND SIEGE of Constantinople begins. '''12 April, 1204 - The city falls. A great sack follows. Alexius V flees secretly. Third great fire in himself fled during the city.''' 16 May, 1204 - Baldwin of Flanders is crowned the first Latin emperor of the new "Latin Empire of Constantinople (Romania)night." ''((These dates were largely taken from Jonathan Riley-Smith and Niketas Choniates))''
==Siege of July 1203==
