Why did Knights go on the 4th crusade? Flashcards
Situation on the East
Jerusalem still in Muslim hands after 1187 fall of Jerusalem
Failure of the Third Crusade and German crusade both failed to take Jerusalem
Religious reasons
Plan to secure Egypt shows they were serious and many crusaders prided themselves due to uniting churches and bringing relics home
Fulk of Neuilly’s power’s of persuasion would be a useful aid to recruitment to the crusade
Social reasons
Avoid war in France –> going on crusade gave knights an honourable way of avoiding fighting for John against King Philip of France
Notions of chivalry –> Thibaut and Louis taking the cross at the tournament of Ecry was seen as the ultimate display of knightly virtue to their peers
Economic reasons
Potential for economic benefit from full possession of the Levant & Alexandria
Opportunity to take control back of Zara