The era of chivalry trips to the Middle East has left a significant mark in the history of Western Europe.In this article, we will highlight the premises, major events, as well as some members of the Fourth Crusade.
Why this campaign has been selected for an article?The answer is simple.It has contributed to important changes in the political map of the world and completely redirected foreign policy vector of European states.
For more information about these events, you will learn from the article.
situation in Europe
As a result, the first three Crusades greatly reduced the population of Western Europe.Many of those who returned from the Middle East, quickly lowered stolen gold in restaurants.That is, for a hundred years, accumulated a large number of impoverished, embittered and hungry soldiers.
Moreover, rumors are beginning to appear that all the failures and defeats of the Crusaders blame Byzantines.They said that they are playing on two fronts, and helping the Knights, and the Muslims.Such words contributed to the growing hatred in the lower layers of society.
On the other hand, weakened by defeats of previous campaigns Holy See began to lose prestige among European monarchs.Therefore, the participants of the Fourth Crusade were necessary to elevate Innocent III in Rome.
lennye a result of ownership on the territory of the former Byzantine Empire became the only award that received the participants of the Fourth Crusade.Table frankokratii given period of history lessons.After reading the article until the end, you can easily reach it.
Causes Fourth Crusade
As history has shown, 4 crusades have changed the direction of the foreign policy of Western Europe.If previously the sole aim was to win the "Holy Sepulchre", but now things are changing drastically.
actual goal 4 crusade does not coincide with the official version.But we'll talk about later.Now let's look at the reasons for this military campaign.
Basically Fourth Crusade reflected the aspirations of the secular power and imposed revenge ordinary soldiers.When they began to weigh the reasons for the defeat of the first three campaigns, especially the second campaign came to an unexpected conclusion.It turns out that the main problem was not a quarrel between the commanders of the Crusaders and the absence of a single common plan of action, and a betrayal of the Byzantine emperor.
the reasons for the withdrawal, we'll talk a little further.Now it is important to note the desire of the Pope, who influenced the official purpose of the military campaign.
Fourth Crusade 1202 - 1204's was to screw the Holy See at the leading position in Europe.After the second and third trips were defeated, the authority of Rome fell sharply.Significantly, he grew among the German rulers, who, instead of another "conquest of the Holy Sepulchre", staged violent wends baptism.
addition, growing resentment of ordinary Crusaders.Many of them were veterans or children of members of the first campaigns, but have not received adequate compensation.A Knights of religious orders from the Middle East received information about promiscuity and rich life of soldiers settled there.
Thus, the Fourth Crusade was the unanimous decision of the militant Europeans.However, the motives of everyone had their own.On them will be discussed later.
official and the real purpose
As mentioned above, the purpose of 4 Crusade differed among different segments of the population.Let's see, what's been the difference.
Pope began again to convene the "army of Christ" for the defense of the faith.But now the aim proclaimed Egypt, not Jerusalem.The Holy See decided that if the fall Fatimids, it will be easier to conquer Palestine.
On the one hand Innocent III tried to get the most power in the Mediterranean region, weakening the Arab rulers.However, the victory in the crusade under the personal command of the pope was to restore the authority of the Holy See's representative in Western Europe.
first to call Innocent III responded to the French Count Thibault, who did not receive significant financial satisfy the ambitions in the war with England.Further tightened his vassals.But he soon dies, and takes place in-chief Margrave of Montferrat Boniface.
He played a major role in the campaign, but his identity will be discussed later in the article.Fourth Crusade to secular rulers was an opportunity to improve the financial situation, to acquire new land.The situation skillfully took advantage of Venice.In fact, the army of many thousands of crusaders perform tasks it doge.
He decided to expand the influence of the state and make it a major maritime power in the Mediterranean.This was the real purpose of the Fourth Crusade, but the effects were simply stunning.This will be discussed later in the article.
campaign against the Empire supported the common soldiers because Command played into the mood of the people.More than half a century, all harped on the treachery of the Byzantine emperor, and were eager to avenge the victims of the Crusaders half.Now it was possible.
Preparation
At the end of the twelfth century Rome and the secular rulers of Europe have begun to prepare yourself for a new crusade.The Holy See was collecting offerings from the kings and nobles, who did not want to go to the east.On these calls has an enormous army of the poor.They believed that if the gentlemen pay, so they have a chance to earn.
Nobles also approached more pragmatically to this issue.An agreement was signed with the Republic of Venice rental fleet to transport troops to Alexandria.So planned to begin the conquest of Egypt.
Doge of Venice asked 85,000 silver marks.The period to collect the sum was given up in 1202.When this time a large part of the army of the Crusaders came to the city, the money has not been collected.The soldier placed on the island of Lido, in the side of Venice to prevent diseases and disorders.They delivered provisions and provided necessary services.
However, when the Doge learned that the command of the army is unable to raise the necessary funds, he stopped service.The participants of the Fourth Crusade began to slowly disperse.Campaign threatened to fail, so Boniface of Montferrat had to negotiate with the Venetians barter.
Since then, the Fourth Crusade reverses its direction.Army Crusader is actually mercenaries Venice.The first task was the capture of the Croatian city of Zara.It was a fortress under the protection of the Christian king of Hungary, who not so long ago, too, embraced the faith of Christ.
This attack was against all the foundations of society for the protection of co-religionists.In fact, the army of the Crusaders committed crimes against the Catholic faith and of the Holy See.But the vengeful soldiers, no one could stop, especially as the next target planned Constantinople.
Taking Zara
After the Fourth Crusade goals have changed, they have gained only a secular direction.About any "defense of the faith" was out of the question, as was the first to take the city of Zara, a Christian stronghold in the territory of modern Croatia.
This fortress was only equivalent to a rival of Venice in the Mediterranean.Therefore, the reasons for the behavior of the Doge obvious.
When the command of the Crusaders learned from Boniface about the condition of deferred payment for a ferry to Alexandria, many refused to participate.Some even have separated yourself and go to the Holy Land, or returned home.
However, the bulk had nothing to lose, since most of the soldiers come from poor backgrounds.Any robbery was their only way to earn money.Therefore, the Crusaders complied with the request of the Doge.
In November 1202 soldiers of the cross came to the walls of Zara.This fortress guarded by Hungarian and Dalmatian garrisons.They were able to hold out for two weeks against a large army, which was a lot of professional soldiers and seasoned veterans of battles.
When the city fell, he was subjected to looting and riots.The streets were littered with the corpses of people.For such atrocities, Pope excommunicated from the Church of the Crusaders.But these words were drowned in the ringing of stolen gold.The Army was pleased.
As winter came, crossing in Alexandria postponed until spring.At six months, the soldiers were quartered in Zara.
Fourth Crusade, in short, began to curse the army Pope and resulted in systematic military action of some other Christians.
fall of Byzantium
After taking Zara targets the Fourth Crusade moved from south to east.Now, fueled by hatred of the army priests "Byzantine traitors" could be realized.At the insistence of the Venetian doge flotilla not sent to Alexandria, which was not interesting to the Crusaders, and in Constantinople.
According to official documents, the army wrapped in the capital of Byzantium to help the emperor Alexei Angel.His father, Isaac, was overthrown by a usurper and imprisoned in a dungeon.In fact, in this event intertwined interests of all European rulers.
4 crusades always aim was to expand the influence of the Catholic Church in the east.If the Palestinians did not work, then the second chance for Rome was the accession of the Greek Orthodox Church.In words, all denying Innocent III strongly promoted the march on Constantinople.
French and German nobles, as well as the Republic of Venice also had a view of the wealth of the Byzantine Empire.Ordinary soldiers, fueled by revenge calls traitors, have become a tool for those in power.
When the army approached the city, there is a struggle for power.Alex, who had promised a reward to the Crusaders for his coronation, was frightened and tried to escape.Instead, people are freed and re-proclaimed emperor Isaac.But the knights did not want to lose the money offered, found and crowned Alexis.So in Constantinople, the emperor had two at the same time.
Because of the plight of high levies and started a rebellion.To suppress the Crusaders entered the city.But the peacekeeping operation that is difficult to call.Constantinople was sacked and burned.
consequences of the fall of Constantinople
interesting that participants 4 crusade planned out and divided the Byzantine Empire even in Zara.In fact, the call Alexei angel was a gift of fate for the blind community and the rulers of other countries.
captured the state planned to be divided into four parts.One received proclaimed emperor from among the Crusaders.The three remaining shared between Venice and the French knights.It is noteworthy that participated in the section sides signed the following agreement.The representative of one party receives the throne of the emperor, and the other - the patriarch of the tiara.The decision prohibiting the concentration of secular and spiritual power in the same hands.
Venice during the division of the empire showed cunning and made good use of a dependent position of the Crusaders.It is a maritime nation to consolidate the richest and most advanced coastal provinces.
Thus, it is the capture of Constantinople was over 4 crusade.The results of this campaign will be announced on.
Results crusade
talk about the consequences of this military campaign should begin with the changes that have taken place on the political map of medieval Europe.It was defeated and ceased to exist for half a century one of the strongest Christian empires.
members of the Fourth Crusade Byzantium divided the land into several states.
events marked the beginning of the so-called "period of frankokratii", which we will discuss below.
While it is important to note one feature.Goals have undergone a radical change in the course of the Fourth Crusade.The result shows a deep crisis of such European campaigns.Now about any defense of the faith, help the Christians in the East could not walk and talk.Since two years, the Crusaders managed to destroy the Christian Empire.
The main result of this military campaign under the leadership of the Venetian traders was the split of Christianity in the West and East.And with uncompromising attitude towards each other.
All subsequent events thirteenth and fourteenth centuries indicate solely on the Holy See's efforts to use the traditional march to the East in order to strengthen his own power.
Frankokratiya
As we said earlier, were excommunicated from the Church of all the participants of the Fourth Crusade.The answer is given for offenses no one wanted, so in the territory of the Byzantine Empire are formed exclusively secular state.
Holy See contented fall and temporary incapacity of the Greek Orthodox Church.
What state were created in Byzantium?
territory of the former Christian state was divided into Epirus Despotate and three empires - Latin, Nicene, and Trebizond.These possessions were more viable and secure than the state of the Crusaders in the Middle East.The reasons for this were several.
Firstly, they were small geographically, so they could survive in the vicinity of the "infidels" of the state.Principality as the Crusaders in the Levant were simply overwhelmed by a wave of Seljuk.
Management System empires built on the principles of Western European principalities.Small local feudal lords could provide greater protection of the Earth than most regular army, once housed in Constantinople.
Let's talk more about the newly formed states.
Nicaea Empire lasted fifty-seven years.Its rulers regarded themselves as the direct heirs of Byzantium.He founded the State Theodore Lascaris, a senior Greek escaped from Constantinople.He was able to form the country on the ruins of the empire, and to protect it in alliance with the Bulgarians from the Seljuk and Latins.
Trebizond Empire became the longest form on this site.It lasted about two hundred and fifty years.He founded and the rules it Komnenian.It's kind of the Byzantine emperors, who reigned before the Angels.Later, they were expelled and settled in the former Roman province of Pontus.Here on the money relatives, the Georgian Queen Tamara, Comneni buy ownership.Later on this territory was created Trebizond Empire.
Despotate of Epirus was a very interesting phenomenon in history.It was founded by Michael Komnenos Ducas.This Greek originally supported Boniface in Constantinople.When he was sent to gain a foothold in Epirus, where he becomes absolute ruler and proclaims itself the successor of the Byzantine Empire.It is noteworthy that his contemporaries called him "the Greek Noah," which saved the Orthodox from the Latin flood.
Last on our list is the Latin Empire.She, like Nicaea, lasted only fifty-seven years.Both states have ceased to exist after the return of Constantinople by the Byzantines in 1261.
These are the consequences have turned out at the Fourth Crusade.The result of this military adventure has surpassed all expectations, all the division of Europe into east and west.
Monferrato - the leader of the Fourth Crusade
Earlier, we listed some of the participants 4 crusade.Many of them received lennye possession of the Latin Empire.But now we will focus on the leader of the military campaign of 1202 - 1204 years.
As mentioned above, the first to call the Pope responded to the French Count Thibaud.But he soon dies, and the crusaders headed by Boniface, an Italian prince.
By birth he was the Margrave of Montferrat.He participated in the wars of the emperors against the Lombard League and Sicily.Since that time he has been recognized among the Crusaders as an experienced commander.
in Soissons in 1201, he was proclaimed the sole leader of the Fourth Crusade.During this campaign, he is covered by the Doge of Venice, featuring European rulers that are responsible for all the atrocities are not crusaders, and Enrico Dandolo.
