"The Fourth Crusade"

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how "The Fourth Crusade" by Donald Queller and Thomas F. Madden is valuable in its reasoned, articulate description of a confusing and tumultuous time in human history. It looks at how the authors follow the entire period from Pope Innocent III's initial call for a holy war in 1198 to the sacking of Constantinople in 1204. Queller and Madden outline how crucial overestimating the number of crusaders was in the misdirection of the Fourth Crusade. It shows how the book is clearly written, organized, well-researched and, ultimately, valuable in providing an in-depth understanding of the complexities and realities of the often confusing events of the Fourth Crusade.

From the Paper:

"Queller and Madden's book covers the periods before, during and after the Fourth Crusade, and is valuable as a thorough description of the events of the Fourth Crusade. The Fourth Crusade, which took place from 1202-1204, was originally intended to conquer Egypt, but ultimately resulted in the conquering of Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire in 1204. The book's analysis of the crusades begins with an analysis of Pope Innocent III's 1198 elevation to the papacy. Queller and Madden note the pope, "acutely conscious of his responsibility as the head of Christendom, intended to reassume papal leadership of the holy war," (1) and proclaimed a new crusade in the same year."

More papers on "The Fourth Crusade":

• Analytical Essay # 4506 : "Donald Queller's "The Fourth Crusade"
• Essay # 40258 : "Chronicle of the Fourth Crusade"
• Essay # 54977 : "Crusade IV"

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