The Fourth Crusade

Pope Calls For A Crusade

Nov 13, 1198

Pope Innocent III called for the fourth crusade. He wanted to bring together Christians and take back the Holy Lands. He didnt get much support untill the next year when a group of French knights took up a pledge to free Jerusalem.

Met With Venitians

Feb 6, 1201

The army lacked weapons, transport, and supplies. They chose Venice as their supply city, and the leader used up almost all of their recorces in exchange for half of the riches gained. The Venitians didn't just supply it, they also bacame apart of it.

Crusaders Set Sail

Feb 4, 1202

Morre About The Crusade
Because of the agreement with Venice, the crusade became more secular and the Pope's influence dropped. Many of the more spiritual knights abandoned the quest, leaving the army at one- third the intended size. The crusaders made a secret pact
with Venice to attack Egypt first.

Attack On Zara

Jul 4, 1202

Shortly after leaving, Venice requested that they detour and attack the city of Zara. Zara was a Catholic port city that held a strategic trading point. Many crusaders were greatly offended because they were being forced to attack fellow Christians, yet the seige continued and was succesfull.

Set Sights On Constantinople

Jun 7, 1203

The crusaders got on good terms with Alexios, the should- be emperor of Constantinople. They agreed to get him into his rightful spot in power, and he would pay for the crusade.

Constantinople Rejects Alexios

Oct 4, 1203

The crusaders presented Alexios as the rightful emperor, and attemted to gain public appeal. The Byzantines thought that the crusaders were just using him as a tactic to gain their support. They responded to the presentation with a volley of arrows, and the crusaders were greatly angered.

The Sacking of Conastantinople

Feb 12, 1204

Once again, crusaders were attacking fellow Christians. Great speakers convinced the men that this was a Holy act and would graetly help them reconquer Jerusalem. For three days they looted and destroyed the city in an aggressive, violent manor. The Sack of Constantinople

Crusaders Return Home

May 16, 1204

The crusaders returened home, believing that God had been on their side the whole time, and granted them victory. They brought with them many riches, and at first this pleased the Pope. Once further knowledge of what occurred presented itself, the pope was greatly angered, and accuesed them of breaking their vow.

Crusade Overall Failure

Jul 4, 1204

The crusaders never even reached the original destination of Jerusalem, or even their modified destination, Egypt. They managed to attack two fellow Christian cities, and ruin the byzantine capital. The only thing they came out with were riches from Constantinople. This chart shows th path taken.

Turks Conquer Constantinople

Jul 4, 1453

The Greeks regain controll over Constantinople. The crusade had significantly weakend it leaving vulnerable to attack. The Turks finally conquered it for good.

Pope Apalogizes

Dec 4, 2001

Pope John Paul II lookes back on the events and is sorrowfull. He sees the events as unneccesary and cruel. He eventualy apalogizes to the Archbishob of the Geek Orthodox Church.