Why was there a Fourth Crusade?

Why was there a Fourth Crusade?

1. Introduction.

   • Pope Innocent called for the fourth crusade om the 15th of August 1198. He set the date March 1199 for his crusading expedition. However, Spain refused to take part in crusade because they were at battle with the Moors. The Holy Roman Emperor was at civil war. With the Angevin and Capetian rivalry as fierce as ever, the Pope turns to the important lords to lead his crusade. Count Thibaut of Champagne and Count Louis of Bolis publicly took the cross and influenced others to join the holy liberation of Jerusalem.

2. Role of Jerusalem

   • Jerusalem was the center of the christian world with Christianity being the focal point of all the Christian's lives.The holy land had been with the Muslims since 1187. Xenophobia was contributed to the driving force for a crusade.The loss of Jerusalem to the Muslim infidels were exasperated so there was a huge weight on the fourth crusade to address this situation.

3. Changing Position in Muslim World

   • Muslim unity proved to be a key factor for the Muslims successful capture of Jerusalem. However, after Saladin's death in 1193, the Muslim world started to form factions rather than being concerned of fighting the Franks. This made it an ideal opportunity to attack as it's weak.
     • The Holy Roman Emperor, Henry IV attempted to launch a crusade in 1197 to exploit this disunity but dies of a fever en route to Italy.

4. Stronger Position

   • By 1196, Al-Adil emerged as the leader to re-unite the muslim world by starting to piece together the factions, time was running out for the west to take hold of this opportunity with the Muslims capturing Damascus. He had to be stopped before he built a power base like Saladin.
   • The conditions of the Latin States were worsening. With the end of the five year truce in 1197, twelve days later the king of Jerusalem (Henry of Champagne) dies leaving the state and with a vacuum of power. With Saladins brother Al-Adil uniting the muslims. The need for a crusade was important.

5. Personal Motives

   • pope Innocent III was a young and dynamic. Innocent had a vision of wide spread reform making him the sole leader of Christendom. He also wanted to strengthen his position against the Holy Roman Emperor who had his empire in crisis and schism.
   • The threat of the Cather heresy (against religion in France) was starting to rise. innocent saw this influence as a threat. Crusade would therefore offer an outlet for spiritual reward.