c. 1150–1207 · Nominal leader of the Fourth Crusade
Boniface de Montferrat
Boniface de Montferrat (c. 1150–1207) — Nominal leader of the Fourth Crusade. This dossier combines the biographical record with dated events and the listed primary and secondary sources.
No verified depiction added
BIOGRAPHICAL DOSSIER
Life and historical role
Life and political setting
Boniface belonged to the marquisal house of Montferrat. His brothers Conrad and Renier had established strong connections in the eastern Mediterranean and at the Byzantine court. After the death of Theobald of Champagne, Boniface was selected as the aristocratic leader of the Fourth Crusade.
Career during the Crusading era
He was prominent in the transport agreement with Venice, the attack on Zara and the plan to place Alexios IV on the Byzantine throne. After Constantinople fell in 1204 Boniface was not chosen emperor. He instead established a kingdom centred on Thessalonica and Macedonia and was killed in conflict with Bulgarian forces in 1207.
Documented activity: a chronological record
On 24 November 1202, Boniface de Montferrat appears in the atlas record “Sack of Zara” at Zara / Zadar. The event is documented through Geoffroi de Villehardouin, Robert de Clari, World History Encyclopedia kronolojisi. On 17 July 1203, Boniface de Montferrat appears in the atlas record “First capture of Constantinople” at Constantinople. The event is documented through Cambridge History of War, ‘Crusaders and settlers in the East, 1096–1291’, TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi, ‘Haçlılar’, Encyclopaedia Britannica, ‘Crusades’.
On 12–15 April 1204, Boniface de Montferrat appears in the atlas record “Capture and sack of Constantinople” at Constantinople. The event is documented through Geoffroi de Villehardouin, Robert de Clari, Niketas Khoniates.
Allies, opponents and geographical range
Boniface de Montferrat appears in the same records as Enrico Dandolo, IV. Aleksios, IV. Aleksios Angelos. Co-occurrence does not always indicate alliance: the connection may involve command, dynastic rivalry, captivity, negotiation or direct conflict.
The principal geographical range represented in the atlas is Zara / Zadar; Constantinople; Constantinople. These places record not only presence but also the supply lines, diplomatic contacts and limits of authority relevant to the biography.
Results of recorded decisions
The “Sack of Zara” dossier records the consequences of this episode and identifies the source problems that limit a definitive reconstruction. Use this record as a starting point for comparing narrative sources, military practice, captivity, negotiation and the legal treatment of war.
The “First capture of Constantinople” dossier records the consequences of this episode and identifies the source problems that limit a definitive reconstruction. Use this record as a starting point for comparing narrative sources, military practice, captivity, negotiation and the legal treatment of war.
The “Capture and sack of Constantinople” dossier records the consequences of this episode and identifies the source problems that limit a definitive reconstruction. Use this record as a starting point for comparing narrative sources, military practice, captivity, negotiation and the legal treatment of war.
Sources and historiography
Papal letters, conciliar canons and preaching texts record normative aims, while chronicles describe their social reception. Later versions of speeches are not verbatim minutes and should be compared through their shared provisions, date and circulation.
Names and titles vary between languages; variant spellings and titles should be searched together in catalogues and texts. Approximate dates remain marked as such, and later literary or visual fame is separated from contemporary testimony.
Biographical statements are tied to the sources listed on this page and to the connected event dossiers. Approximate or disputed dates remain marked; missing information is not filled by conjecture, and later literary or visual representations are not treated as contemporary portraits.