The Fourth Crusade

Question 1

Who called the Fourth Crusade?

Answer 1

Innocent iii

Question 2

When was the Fourth Crusade called?

Answer 2

1198

Question 3

What was the papal bull used for the Fourth Crusade?

Answer 3

‘Post Miserabile’

Question 4

Why was the Fourth Crusade called?
(The Situation in the East)

Answer 4

1. The coastline from Acre to Jaffa had been reclaimed, as well as Cyprus, which allowed for an attack on the East
2. The death of Saladin in 1193, which had saw the division of his kingdom
3. No actual/immediate crisis, showed that it was more of a pro-active rather than a reactive crusade

Question 5

Why was the Fourth Crusade called?
(Papal Ambition)

Answer 5

1. Innocent iii was young (37) and full of vim and vigor for crusading
2. Wanted to extend the influence of the Latin church over secular Lords and The East
3. Wanted to reclaim the holy city of Jerusalem. This was mentioned in his first encyclical, “Oh Jersualem, if I ever forget you” (Psalms 137)

Question 6

Why was the Fourth Crusade called?
(Religious Conviction)

Answer 6

1. To restore the religiosity of Europe, through an act of penance to God
2. Innocent was a deeply pious man
3. ‘Post Miserabile’ mentioned the desire to retrieve the True Cross
4. The crusade attacked two Christian cities, however
5. Innocent iii deeply forbade the attacks on the cities of Zara and Constantinople, showing his religiosity

Question 7

Why did people join the Fourth Crusade?
(Economic Reasons)

Answer 7

1. Potential land and booty to be gained
2. The benefits of possessing Alexandria (for Venice). The Doge, Dandolo, had spoken about this at St. Mark’s Square
3. It was still highly expensive to come on the crusade
4. The crusade sacked two Christian cities (Zara and Constantinople)

Question 8

Why did people join the Fourth Crusade?
(Social Reasons)

Answer 8

1. Feudal Obligations (Thousands of men from Champagne did not come on crusade after Theobald of Champagne’s death)
2. Family ties (Theobald was the grandson of Louis vii, who had helped lead the Second Crusade. Baldwin of Flanders was representing the Flanders dynasty)
3. To avoid fighting for John in France, as he was highly unpopular
4. Growing notions of chivalry in the West (Preached at a tournament at St. Ecry. However, this was discouraged by the Latin Church)

Question 9

Why did people join the Fourth Crusade?
(Religious Reasons)

Answer 9

1. The religiosity of Europe
2. Full indulgence and an act of penance
3. ‘Post Miserabile’ condemned sin
4. The impact of the preaching campaign
5. The crusaders attacked two Christian Cities, however
6. There was a growing focus on internal ritual rather than external ritual at the time

Question 10

Why did the Fourth Crusade fail?
(Poor leadership)

Answer 10

1. A lack of manpower (Only 11,000 men turned up, leaving a debt of 34,000 marks to the Venetians)
2. Peter Capuano left the crusade, meaning that there was no papal influence
3. Many crusaders returned home after the attacks on the Christian cities of Zara and Constantinople
4. The March Pact, which entailed pillage, rape and murder on a large scale
5. The crusaders could not be controlled, so the Greeks allied with the Muslims
6. No kings joined, which helped to cause a lack of manpower
7. The death of Thibaut of Champagne in 1201 deprived the crusade of strong leadership
8. Innocent failed to raise a tax of 1/40 on church property, which led to a lack of funds

Question 11

Why did the Fourth Crusade fail?
(Venetian Ambition)

Answer 11

1. Most of the loot gained from Zara and Constantinople went to Venice
2. The Doge refused to swear not to attack the Christian cities of Zara and Constantinople

Question 12

Why did the Fourth Crusade fail?
(Byzantine Hostility)

Answer 12

1. Issues in the Byzantine Empire meant that they could not offer help. These included power struggles
2. Byzantine Empire power struggles (Alexios v was crowned in 1204)
3. There were 4 Byzantine Emperors by 1204
4. Long-term distrust between the Franks and Byzantines