The Conquest of Constantinople (Records of Western Civilization Series)

About this book

The Fourth Crusade (1202-1204) set out to capture the Holy Land; it ended up sacking Constantinople an Orthodox Christian city and the capital of the Byzantine Empire. Robert of Clari an obscure knight from Picardy provides an extraordinary recounting of the decidedly mixed triumphs of the Fourth Crusade an event that deepened the rift between the Eastern and Western churches. His chronicle is one of the few accounts of the crusades told from the point of view of an ordinary soldier. He provides firsthand descriptions of battles with the Greek defenders of Constantinople and the various hardships endured on the crusaders eastward journey. Robert also serves as a guide describing the marvels of Constantinople and other sights he encountered during the crusade. Roberts account tells of the practical political and theological negotiations and disputes that defined the Fourth Crusade. He recounts the Venetian Doges stubborn bargaining with the crusaders over the use of his ships and how the popes bishops vigorously campaigned for the conquest of Constantinople. Throughout the crusade various kings and lords from Europe jockeyed for power as they tried to assert their political and military leadership. Roberts chronicle concludes with the political disputes between various nobles to control the Byzantine Empire and the spoils of battle.