Why was the Fourth Crusade a failure?

Question 1

POOR LEADERSHHIP

Answer 1

Fulk of Neuilly’s enlistment was slow –> absence of major kings like Richard and Philip who were still in war with each other

Number’s were insufficient –> 12,000 of 35,000 men arrived

No kings signed up for the crusade which restricted crusade from gaining a national tax

After Zara, Peter Capuano left the crusade –> no papal influence

Crusaders attacked a mosque in Constantinople so Greeks allied with muslims against franks –> led to a fire and relations worsened

March Pact was ignored –> pillaged, raped and murdered against Greeks

Question 2

Venetian Ambition

Answer 2

Tried to charge 85,000 marks in service

Doge was keen to accept the terms of Alexios IV deal as it offered long-term trading privileges for Venetians

Many of the treasures looted ended up in Venice

Question 3

Circumstance

Answer 3

Count Thibaut of Champagne died before the crusade had even started —> this greatly deprived the crusade of effective leaders and 1000s of knights

Genoa and Pisa were at war with each other so couldn’t help crusaders