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Crusaders occupy Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade

The Fourth Crusade (1202–1204) was a Latin Christian armed expedition called by Pope Innocent III.

The Fourth Crusade (1202–1204) was a Latin Christian armed expedition called by Pope Innocent III. The stated intent of the expedition was to recapture the Muslim-controlled city of Jerusalem, by first defeating the powerful Egyptian Ayyubid Sultanate. However, a sequence of economic and political events culminated in the Crusader army's 1202 siege of Zara and the 1204 sack of Constantinople, rather than the conquest of Egypt as originally planned. This led to the partition of the Byzantine Empire by the Crusaders and their Venetian allies, leading to a period known as the Frankokratia ("Rule of the Franks" in Greek).

In 1201, the Republic of Venice contracted with the Crusader leaders to build a dedicated fleet to transport their invasion force.

Historical Significance

The Fourth Crusade (1202–1204) was a Latin Christian armed expedition called by Pope Innocent III.

Events Before

  1. Louis of France (Later Louis VIII) (13) marries Blanche of Castile (12), daughter of Alfonso VIII King of Castile at Por

    Louis of France (Later Louis VIII) (13) marries Blanche of Castile (12), daughter of Alfonso VIII King of Castile at Port-Mort

  2. King John of England (32) marries Isabella of Angoulême (12) in Bordeaux, despite her engagement to Hugh de Lusignan, Co

    King John of England (32) marries Isabella of Angoulême (12) in Bordeaux, despite her engagement to Hugh de Lusignan, Count of La Marche, prompting a rebellion

  3. The city of Riga is founded

    Albert of Riga or Albert of Livonia (1165 – 17 January 1229) was the third Catholic Bishop of Riga in Livonia.

  4. Siege of Constantinople begins during the Fourth Crusade, as Roman Catholic Crusaders, aboard a Venetian fleet, attack t

    Siege of Constantinople begins during the Fourth Crusade, as Roman Catholic Crusaders, aboard a Venetian fleet, attack the city

  5. Alexius IV Angelus is appointed co-regent of Byzantium

    Alexius IV Angelus is appointed co-regent of Byzantium

Events After

  1. Philip of Swabia becomes King of the Romans

    Philip of Swabia becomes King of the Romans

  2. Battle of Adrianople: Bulgarians and Cumans under Tsar Kaloyan of Bulgaria ambush and defeat the Latin Emperor of Consta

    Battle of Adrianople: Bulgarians and Cumans under Tsar Kaloyan of Bulgaria ambush and defeat the Latin Emperor of Constantinople, Baldwin I

  3. Pope Innocent III fires Adolf I as archbishop of Cologne

    Pope Innocent III fires Adolf I as archbishop of Cologne

  4. Pope Innocent III states that Jews are doomed to perpetual servitude and subjugation due to the crucifixion of Jesus

    Pope Innocent III states that Jews are doomed to perpetual servitude and subjugation due to the crucifixion of Jesus

  5. Chinese southern Song dynasty officially declares war on the northern Jin dynasty

    Chinese southern Song dynasty officially declares war on the northern Jin dynasty

More from the 1200s

The Fourth Crusade occupies and plunders Constantinople

The Fourth Crusade (1202–1204) was a Latin Christian armed expedition called by Pope Innocent III.

Louis of France (Later Louis VIII) (13) marries Blanche of Castile (12), daughter of Alfonso VIII King of Castile at Por

Louis of France (Later Louis VIII) (13) marries Blanche of Castile (12), daughter of Alfonso VIII King of Castile at Port-Mort

Siege of Constantinople begins during the Fourth Crusade, as Roman Catholic Crusaders, aboard a Venetian fleet, attack t

Siege of Constantinople begins during the Fourth Crusade, as Roman Catholic Crusaders, aboard a Venetian fleet, attack the city

King John of England (32) marries Isabella of Angoulême (12) in Bordeaux, despite her engagement to Hugh de Lusignan, Co

King John of England (32) marries Isabella of Angoulême (12) in Bordeaux, despite her engagement to Hugh de Lusignan, Count of La Marche, prompting a rebellion

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on April 13, 1204?
The Fourth Crusade (1202–1204) was a Latin Christian armed expedition called by Pope Innocent III. The stated intent of the expedition was to recapture the Muslim-controlled city of Jerusalem, by first defeating the powerful Egyptian Ayyubid Sultanate. However, a sequence of economic and political events culminated in the Crusader army's 1202 siege of Zara and the 1204 sack of Constantinople, rather than the conquest of Egypt as originally planned.
Why is Crusaders occupy Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade significant?
The Fourth Crusade (1202–1204) was a Latin Christian armed expedition called by Pope Innocent III.

Explore More

April 13 in HistoryYear 1204