The Fourth Crusade 1202-1204
Cause of the Crusade Pope Innocent III was eager to recover Jerusalem because he considered it Christian territory. At first no cared to listen to Pope Innocent III. The major countries in Europe were going through difficulties of their own at that point and could not take on another thing. Plus people were discouraged by the Third crusade. After a while though people listened (mostly french people) and went to Venice.
The Crusade There was a transport they were going to use, but did not have the funds. Venetians demanded if they could not pay they must capture Zara (Byzantine port). The crusaders did and then went to Constantinople. They were outnumbered, but the city was facing chaos at the time and did not have a leader. They captured it in 1204. After they captured Constantinople they plundered and pillaged it. This is known as the Sack of Constantinople.
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Account of The Sack of Constantinople "How shall I begin to tell of the deeds wrought by these nefarious men! Alas, the images, which ought to have been adored, were trodden under foot! Alas, the relics of the holy martyrs were thrown into unclean places! Then was seen what one shudders to hear, namely, the divine body and blood of Christ was spilled upon the ground or thrown about. They snatched the precious reliquaries, thrust into their bosoms the ornaments which these contained, and used the broken remnants for pans and drinking cups,-precursors of Anti-christ, authors and heralds of his nefarious deeds which we momentarily expect. Manifestly, indeed, by that race then, just as formerly, Christ was robbed and insulted and His garments were divided by lot; only one thing was lacking, that His side, pierced by a spear, should pour rivers of divine blood on the ground."-Nicetas Choniates
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Effects of the Crusade
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