First capture of Constantinople

Background

Alexios IV's father, Isaac II Angelos, had been deposed and blinded by his brother Alexios III in 1195. The young Alexios fled to the West and sought help from his brother-in-law Philip of Swabia and from Boniface of Montferrat. Under the agreement made at Zara, the crusader army turned to Constantinople to put Alexios on the throne.

Course of events

The fleet reached Constantinople in June 1203. When the city's people did not welcome Alexios as expected, an attack was decided on. On 5–6 July the crusaders landed at Galata and took the tower, and the chain closing the Golden Horn was broken.

On 17 July the Frankish army attacked the land walls near the Blachernae palace while the Venetians attacked the sea walls on the Golden Horn. The Venetians seized many towers and burned part of the city. That same night Alexios III fled the city. The Byzantine officials restored Isaac II to the throne; on 1 August Alexios IV was crowned co-emperor.

Outcome and significance

Alexios IV could not make the large payment he had promised the crusaders. Valuables taken from churches and heavy taxes provoked the people. In August 1203 a great fire started by Latins destroyed a large part of the city and heightened tension.

Relations between the emperor and the crusaders steadily deteriorated. In January 1204 a palace coup led by Alexios Doukas (Mourtzouphlos) killed Alexios IV, opening the way to the second and destructive assault.

Sources and debates

Villehardouin and Robert of Clari describe the attack from the crusader side, and Niketas Choniates from inside the Byzantine court. Choniates criticises both the incompetence of the Byzantine government and the greed of the crusaders. The extent of the fire and the sums paid differ between sources.