The Fourth Crusade was a force of 20,000 troops, which included 3 General's Bodyguards, 3 Mailed Knights, 3 Dismounted Feudal Knights, 2 Ballistas, 5 Mounted Crossbowmen, 2 Pavise Crossbow Militia, 2 Italian Spear Militia, 2 Armored Sergeants, 2 Catapults, 2 Trebuchets, 3 Dismounted Crusader Knights, 2 Crusader Sergeants, and 2 Crusader Knights. It was commanded by Enrico Dandolo, with Fantino and Boniface as generals.
History[]
Near East 1216: Yellow is Ayyubid Empire, blue is Principality of Antioch, Green is Zengid Empire, Purple is Byzantine Empire, Red is Fourth Crusade.
Formed in 1196, the Crusader army was sent on the Fourth Crusade to reclaim Jerusalem. The Fourth Crusade consisted of 20,000 troops, mainly Venetians, but a few French crusader knights took part in the war. In 1202 they sacked Zara, owned by the Kingdom of Hungary, and they proceeded to assault Constantinople in 1203. They diverted because of the tempting treasures of the Byzantine Empire, and they destroyed the city again in 1204 when their puppet emperor was overthrown. They founded the Nicaean Empire, Latin Empire, and Despotate of Epirus.
However, the Byzantine Empire in Anatolia was still very much alive. In 1216, Nicaea was captured by Doge Fantino from the Byzantines. The Byzantine capital was forced back to Amorium, although Nicaea was later recaptured.
Rulers[]
- Enrico Dandolo 1204-1205
- Fantino of Venice 1205-1230
- Ermolao of Venice 1230-13
- Vito of Venice 13-