The Fourth Crusade 1202–04

The betrayal of Byzantium

The Fourth Crusade 1202–04 cover

Description

A fascinating, illustrated account of the betrayal of Byzantium, the clash of Western and Eastern Christian factions and the sacking of Constantinople.

The Fourth Crusade was the first, and most famous of the 'diverted' Crusades, which saw the Crusade diverted from its original target, Ayyubi Egypt, to attack the Christian city of Zadar in modern Croatia instead, an attack that was little more than a mercenary action to repay the Venetians for their provision of a fleet to the Crusaders.

This book examines the combined action and sacking of the city of Zara, which saw the Crusaders temporarily excommunicated by the Pope. It features detailed accounts of the diverse military action, which involved large-scale sieges, amphibious battles and landings and a combined action as the Crusaders fought side-by-side with Venetian troops.

Alongside battlescene maps and illustrations, David Nicolle evaluates how the influence of the Venetians prompted an attack on Constantinople, analyses the siege that followed and describes the naval assault and sacking of the city which saw the Crusaders place Count Baldwin of Flanders on the Byzantine throne.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Chronology
Opposing commanders
Opposing forces
Opposing plans
The campaign
Aftermath
The battlefields today
Further reading
Index

Product details

Published Aug 20 2011
Format Ebook (PDF)
Edition 1st
Extent 96
ISBN 9781849083201
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations 40 b/w; 43 col
Series Campaign
Short code CAM 237
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

David Nicolle

David Nicolle is Visiting Research Fellow at the I…

Illustrator

Christa Hook

CHRISTA HOOK began her illustrating career in 1986…

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