History of the Crusades

the Crusades Episode 78, the Fourth Crusade Roman numeral 9.

Hello again.

Last week we saw the Crusaders and Venetians achieve something that had eluded invaders for centuries.

They launched an attack on the city of Constantinople and were able to force their way through the city's defences.

Once the bulk of the crusading army was inside Constantinople, a group of mounted knights headed for Mertzufelis's fortified camp, strategically placed on top of a hill.

At the sight of the charging horsemen, the imperial soldiers guarding the camp fled, and

Mertzufelus had no option other than to follow their example.

He abandoned his tent and belongings and raced to the relative

safety of the great palace facing the Sea of Marmara. If the Crusaders were expecting a counter-attack, or at least a degree of

resistance from the residents of Constantinople, they found little. Shocked to the core by the fact that their city's defences had been breached,

residents and soldiers alike scattered and ran as the invaders spread out through the city streets.

Believing that resistance was futile, the Greek residents of the city

really only had two options available to them.

They could gather or they could and flee the city,

or they could surrender and place themselves at the mercy of the Latin Christians.

As the citizens of the city began streaming out of its gates,

the leaders of the crusade staked their claim over different parts of the city.

Baldwin of Flanders occupied the Imperial Tent in the camp abandoned by Mertzufless, while his brother Henry placed troops in front of the Blackanee

Palace.

Boniface of Monfra's men spread out through the densely populated area near the Imperial Camp.

By this time the day was drawing to a close.

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