Editing 1203 (section)

==== Fourth Crusade ====
* [[April 20]] &ndash; The Crusader army evacuates Zara (modern [[Zadar]]) and sets sail to [[Corfu]]; [[Boniface I, Marquis of Montferrat|Boniface of Montferrat]] and Doge [[Enrico Dandolo]] stay behind to await Prince [[Alexios IV Angelos|Alexios Angelos]]. After a brief pause at [[Durrës]] (modern [[Albania]]), the fleet reaches Corfu. Meanwhile, news of its approach (through spies) has reached Emperor [[Alexios III Angelos]] at [[Constantinople]]. He gives order to strengthen the city walls and the fortifications.<ref>[[David Nicolle]] (2011). Osprey: Campaign - Nr. 237. ''The Fourth Crusade 1202–04. The betrayal of Byzantium'', p. 49. {{ISBN|978-1-84908-319-5}}.</ref>
* [[May]] &ndash; [[June]] &ndash; The Crusader fleet rounds [[Greece]] and stops at Negroponte (modern-day [[Chalkis|Halkis]]), where the local authorities submit to Alexios Angelos. Encouraged by this, the Crusader leaders send him and several ships to extend his authority over the neighboring island of [[Andros]]. Mid-June, the Crusader fleet sails from Greece to [[Abydos (Hellespont)|Abydos]], where it enters the [[Dardanelles]].<ref name="auto">David Nicolle (2011). Osprey: Campaign - Nr. 237. ''The Fourth Crusade 1202–04. The betrayal of Byzantium'', p. 51. {{ISBN|978-1-84908-319-5}}.</ref>
* [[June 23]] &ndash; The Crusader fleet comes within sight of Constantinople, and enters the [[Bosporus]]. The Byzantine capital is defended by a garrison of 15,000 soldiers (including 5,000 men of the [[Varangian Guard]]), and a fleet of 20 galleys. On [[June 26]], the Byzantine troops skirmish with the Crusader forces, who attack, without success, the cities of [[Chalcedon]] and [[Üsküdar#Chrysopolis|Chrysopolis]].<ref name="auto"/><ref>Steven Runciman (1952). ''A History of The Crusades. Vol III: The Kingdom of Acre'', p. 100. {{ISBN|978-0-241-29877-0}}.</ref>
* [[July 2]] &ndash; Crusader leaders sail close to the city's walls in order to display the young Alexios Angelos, where they call upon the Byzantines to rise up in his favour. After rowing back and forth for a while, receiving insults and missiles, the attempt is abandoned. The Crusader leadership decides to land an invasion force north of [[Galata]] – using prevailing currents and winds.<ref>David Nicolle (2011). Osprey: Campaign - Nr. 237. ''The Fourth Crusade 1202–04. The betrayal of Byzantium'', pp. 51–52. {{ISBN|978-1-84908-319-5}}.</ref>
* [[July 5]] &ndash; The Crusader fleet disembarks their horse transports, and barrels down upon the Byzantine defenders in a full cavalry charge. The Byzantines flee after brief combat, and retreat to the Tower of Galata, where they fortify themselves. After a bitter struggle, the Crusaders capture the tower and break the floating chain, and allow their fleet to enter the [[Golden Horn]].<ref>David Nicolle (2011). Osprey: Campaign - Nr. 237. ''The Fourth Crusade 1202–04. The betrayal of Byzantium'', pp. 53–57. {{ISBN|978-1-84908-319-5}}.</ref>
* [[Siege of Constantinople (1203)|Siege of Constantinople]]: The Crusaders, led by Boniface of Montferrat, capture Constantinople, in support of the deposed Emperor [[Isaac II Angelos|Isaac II]] and his son Alexios Angelos. This marks the main outcome of the [[Fourth Crusade]].
** [[July 11]] &ndash; The Crusaders take positions opposite the [[Palace of Blachernae]] on the northwest corner of the city. Their first attempts are repulsed, but on [[July 17]] the Venetians take a section of the wall of about 25 towers, while the Varangian Guard holds off the Crusaders on the land wall, inflicting heavy casualties. The Venetians set fire to the buildings inside the Golden Horn walls, and then abandon the occupied fortifications.<ref>David Nicolle (2011). Osprey: Campaign - Nr. 237. ''The Fourth Crusade 1202–04. The betrayal of Byzantium'', pp. 57–61. {{ISBN|978-1-84908-319-5}}.</ref>
** [[July 17]]&ndash;[[July 18|18]] &ndash; Alexios III tries to counterattack from the [[Walls of Constantinople#Gate of St. Romanus|Gate of St. Romanus]] but retreats without a fight. Embarrassed, he prefers to escape and abandon his subjects, fleeing with the imperial treasure to [[Develtos]] (a fortified town on the [[Gulf of Burgas]]) in [[Thrace]]. Meanwhile, the Byzantine aristocracy restores the ex-emperor Isaac II to the imperial throne. On [[August 1]], Alexios Angelos is crowned co-emperor as Alexios IV.<ref>David Nicolle (2011). Osprey: Campaign - Nr. 237. ''The Fourth Crusade 1202–04. The betrayal of Byzantium'', p. 63. {{ISBN|978-1-84908-319-5}}.</ref>
* August &ndash; Alexios IV announces new taxes and enrages the [[Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople|Orthodox Church]] by confiscating large quantities of Byzantine icons, many centuries old, and melts them down to produce enough silver to pay the massive debt to the Venetians. A riot breaks out in Constantinople – during which the Byzantine populace loots and burns the homes of Italian residents in the city.<ref>David Nicolle (2011). Osprey: Campaign - Nr. 237. '' The Fourth Crusade 1202–04. The betrayal of Byzantium'', p. 64. {{ISBN|978-1-84908-319-5}}.</ref>
* [[August 31]] &ndash; The Venetians rally a rabble of soldiers and storm through the walls, attacking the Mitation Mosque which results in extensive fires in Constantinople. Finally, they are fought off by the Byzantines and Muslims standing side by side. It becomes one of the most extensive urban conflagrations in [[History of Europe|European History]] and renders some 100,000 people homeless.<ref>David Nicolle (2011). Osprey: Campaign - Nr. 237. ''The Fourth Crusade 1202–04. The betrayal of Byzantium'', p. 64. {{ISBN|978-1-84908-319-5}}.</ref>
* August&ndash;October &ndash; Alexios IV leads a Crusader expedition (some 6,000 men) to extend his central-government control, against the fugitive Alexios III in Thrace. Meanwhile, a Crusader fleet operates in the [[Sea of Marmara]] in support of the Thracian campaign. The Crusaders seize several towns, including [[Edirne|Adrianople]], while Alexios escapes and withdraws to [[Macedonia (theme)|Macedonia]].<ref>Philips, Jonathan (2004). ''The Fourth Crusade and the sack of Constantinople'', p. 209. {{ISBN|978-0-14-303590-9}}.</ref>