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The Fourth Crusade 1202–04

The betrayal of Byzantium

Dr David Nicolle author Christa Hook illustrator

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Published:20th Aug '11

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

The Fourth Crusade 1202–04 cover

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.

ISBN: 9781849083195

Dimensions: 248mm x 184mm x 8mm

Weight: 194g

96 pages