Fourth Crusade. While the large crusade winters in Zadar, the Venetians (who constitute the bulk of the attacking fleet) pressure the crusader commander Villehardouin to attack Constantinople on his way to the East. It is decided to march on Constantinople and place Alexius the Younger on the throne, who submits to papal obedience and promises to pay 200,000 marks and participate in the crusade the following year. Many crusaders reject this decision and continue on to Jerusalem, but the remaining force is still substantial. Moreover, Constantinople had never been successfully attacked by a foreign army…
