4. Crusade

4th Crusade 1202 – 1204

Shortly after his appointment, Pope Innocent III. in August 1198 for the 4th Crusade. The crusade, like the first crusade, was to be a project of the church. Like Urban II, Pope Innocent hereby demonstrated his claim to world leadership. Messengers from the Pope travel to Venice with blank powers of attorney to negotiate the chartering of ships. They come to an agreement with the Doge Heinrich von Dandolo. Contrary to the public statement, the crusade should not go against Palestine, but against Cairo. The leaders found out when they checked out that they were not able to pay. The Doge Dandolo is ready to pay the debt if the crusaders conquer Zara for Venice. Zara used to belong to Venice and years ago defected from Venice and was now under the rule of the King of Hungary. The 90-year-old blind Dandolo is declared the leader of the crusade. Despite concerns from the Church, the Crusaders must uphold their commitment. The Christian city of Zara is sacked by the Crusaders and divided between them and the Venetians. The sack of Zara by Germans shocked the Pope, who then excommunicated the army. However, he allows himself to be appeased by a delegation and gives absolution to all pilgrims.

Because Egypt is an important trading partner of Venice, the Doge is not interested in a Crusader attack on Cairo. Dandalo succeeds in the crusade to Constantinople through a cunning (the onward journey is delayed due to scarce supplies). to redirect. The reason for the attack is called a probate dispute over the title of Byzantine emperor. In addition, Dandalo tells of the immense wealth of the then largest city. On July 5, 1203, Constantinople was attacked for the first time. Finally, in April 1204, the city was conquered. The city was sacked. Baldwin of Flanders is crowned on May 16, 1204 as the first Emperor of the Empire of Constantionople.