Significance of the failure of Prince Alexius and of the sack of Constantinople in the Fourth Crusade

What you need to know -Significance of the failure of Prince Alexius and of the sack of Constantinople in the Fourth Crusade.

Alexius IV Angelus

Alexius IV Angelus was the Byzantine Emperor from 1203 to 1204. Son of Emperor Isaac II Angelos, young Alexius was imprisoned in 1195 when Alexius III, his paternal uncle, was deposed by Isaac II.

According to the accounts of Robert of Clari, Alexius met Boniface of Montferrat at the court of Philip of Swabia. They had allegedly discussed using the crusading army in sacking Constantinople and ousting Alexius III.

15th century portrait of Alexius IV

Violence between the Crusaders and the citizens of Constantinople

As agreed, Alexius IV vowed to pay the Venetians and provide the crusading army with more men. Boniface and Alexius sailed to Constantinople in 1202. For the Byzantine citizens, Alexius III was the acceptable emperor. On 18 July 1203, the Crusaders attacked the walls of Constantinople; while Alexius III fled to Thrace, the Byzantines released Isaac II and proclaimed him emperor.

Isaac II was forced to proclaim Alexius IV as co-emperor of the Byzantine Empire. Isaac knew that Alexius could not pay the crusader's debt using the empire's treasury. Soon, Alexius IV managed to raise 100,000 silver marks, half the sum he promised. He confiscated enemy properties and sacked Thracian towns.

In December 1203, violence between the Crusaders and the citizens of Constantinople became uncontrollable. Foreigners were murdered by mobs. While Alexius IV was mending his relationship with the Crusaders, his citizens lost faith in him. In January 1204, Alexius IV retaliated against the Crusaders and set some of their ships on fire.

Alexius at Zara as he requested the alliance with the Crusaders

Glossary of Terms

SIEGE

A military blockade of either a city or fortified place to defeat those defending it.

HOLY LANCE

Known to be the legendary spear that was used to pierce the side of Jesus as he was crucified.

HOLY LAND

An area roughly located between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, including the Eastern Bank of the Jordan River.

PRINCES' CRUSADE

Byname of the First Crusade which was participated in by members of the high nobility.

COUNCIL OF ACRE

A council composed of Jerusalem's nobility and crusaders from Europe as they decided to attack Damascus during the Second Crusade.

TRUE CROSS

Physical remnants of the cross upon which Jesus was crucified.