The Fourth Crusade: Biggest Robbery in History

In the early 1200s, crusaders from Western Europe set out to capture Jerusalem. They didn’t get anywhere near it. What they ended up doing was sacking and looting Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine (Eastern Roman) Empire, the richest and most cosmopolitan city in the Christian world. How and why did the mission get diverted, and how did a holy war proclaimed by the Pope turn into what was essentially the largest robbery in history up until that time? The story is extremely complicated, but this video will attempt to unpack the many deep layers of the tragic Fourth Crusade.

Sources for this video include:
Angeliki E. Laiou & Roy Parviz Mottahedeh, Eds., The Crusades From the Perspective of Byzantium and the Muslim World (Washington, D.C.: Dumbarton Oaks, 2001; Edgar H. McNeal, “Fulk of Neuilly and the Tournament of Ecry,” Speculum, Vol. 28, No. 2 (Apr. 1953), 371-75;

Special thanks to: John Marcucci, Ethem Onur Bilgiç, Rob Drokker, my 7th grade classes “Phoenixes” and “Dragons.”

Chapters:
00:00-19:42: Selling the Dream
19:42-33:45: The Crusading Spirit
33:45-52:45: Byzantium
52:45-1:01:25: Venice
1:01:25-1:16:39: The First Deal
1:16:39-1:26:11: The Second Deal
1:26:11-1:33:31: The Diversion
1:33:31-1:47:16: The First Battle
1:47:16-2:01:14: Winter of Discontent
2:01:14-2:09:30: The Final Battle
2:09:30-2:18:02: The Pillage
2:18:02-2:35:45: The Aftermath
2:35:45-2:44:09: Conclusion

[RedneckAlien]

I have been addicted to these long form history deep dives. So hard to find good, reliable video essays that don’t entertain conspiracies and gossip. Thank you, bro!

[iambecomepaul]

Is anyone else “understanding” here? This is a STAGGERING amount of scholarship… for FREE… on YouTube. Lecture (well presented), pictures, music, context, all being able to stop or go back and contextualize… it’s a Masters degree in history ONLINE! This is just jaw-dropping.

[local-admin]

My son (4yo) said "that guy smart, he has like 70 books"
I agree.

[ncroticism]

The Bolt Thrower t-shirt is perfect for a video about the IV Crusade.

[Hitidish]

Speak like a crusader
instead of saying "Wow that's a big taco" say "Never since the creation of the world has taco of such a gargantuan size existed. Truly we are blessed"

[Trashcansam]

If I may suggest an idea for a video, I think a deep dive video on the prohibition would be a topic right up your alley

[Unknown]

I love Sean's backdrop, a gladius I think in the corner, an old school typewriter, so many books and not enough bookcases, it screams academia in the best way

[marlenapowers]

My bf showed this channel to me because I’m a future history teacher with a history degree.. and I’m currently obsessed with medieval history. This was gold, well researched and well contextualized. Thank you!!!❤❤❤

[isaiahterveen]

Great video! One minor correction at 12:54, papal infallibility wasn’t dogmatically defined until the first Vatican Council of 1870, so saying that he was “according to church law, infallible” at the time of the crusade is an anachronism.

[OfficialTexan]

The horses are not in the basement anymore. Went there about 5 months ago. They’re on the second story of church before you go out on balcony/roof

[bigdude]

As a french myself I hereby forgive you of all butchering of french names as most of my fellow compatriots are guilty of the same crime when it comes to speak any english word

[utahockey]

Babe wake up.. new Sean Munger video just dropped.

[LiteralmenteFadul]

Anyone else feels this is one of the best channels on youtube? I'd really like to know.
I honestly think that if we go by frequency of posts per quality then Sean is one of the best youtubers RN. I always come off these videos feeling very informed. Theres always at least one really good insight and the summary of events is so well done that even when I already know the period I feel luke its worth watching. And these videos are so frequent, it might not be as well produced as an hbomberguy video, sure, but Sean is posting every month.Sean's content actually holds up in quality to pretty much any video essay.
Im sounding like a fanboy, but I really do see this channel as a gift.

[apollofell]

Hey Sean! Took me a little longer to get around to watching this one. I super appreciate that you tried to adjust 85, 000 silver marks for inflation, got a little laugh from me since I'm on of the folks who's asked you to include adjusted costs. 😅 I just imagined 200, 000 silver marks is as tremendous a figure as 3 Trillion US dollars.

As usual, you've given me a whole new understanding and appreciation for the topic. I love taking these dives into history with you, be it thousands of years back or just a few decades. Can't wait to see what you explore next!

[Wardy-oiwk]

Please never stop your content Sean, you are truly the best

[PseudocidalTTV]

You are the type of history teacher that sparked my lifelong obsession with History...Ive been lost in life tbh & its just now clicking to me how my calling could be a History teacher? love what you do never work a day & all that.

Thank you for your glorious work!

[danithefoot]

Perfect timing, you're videos really help me when I need to calm myself or get out of my own head, thank you

[jeremywood]

I was just looking at your video list for something to watch with my lunch. Epic timing.

[Trials_By_Errors]

Even Today Orthodox Christians remember this Tragedy. Even today this war continues.

[ComradeBenedict]

*Says we won't see the horses again til the end*

*See the horses again every time there's a new chapter*

Great video all the same, love to see such in-depth content on important topics like this