089.Approach to Galata - WDS Crusades Book II

Date: July 5th, 1203 - Size: Medium / Large - Location: Galata, just north and across the Golden Horn to Constantinople

Crusade: The Fourth Crusade

Scenario Briefing: Historical - With the conclusion of the Third Crusade, Jerusalem remained in the hands of Ayyubid Muslims under the control of Saladin and his successors.  This despite the fact that King Richard I and his Crusaders never lost a battle. However, much of the land that had been lost after the defeat at Hattin in 1187 had been recovered. Nevertheless, that defeat cost the Crusaders the Holy City of Jerusalem and until it could be recovered, the Popes in Rome were determined to continue their calls to all the lords of Europe to pay heed and take the vow of the cross for another Crusade.

In January 1198, a new Pope began the next chapter of preaching for another Crusade. He was Innocent III and upon the placement of the crown of St Peter upon his head, he immediately published his bull "Post miserable." In it called for the recovery of Jerusalem and for the redemption of Christendom in the Levant.

This new Crusade, now the Fourth Crusade, was slow in attracting the powerful kings and lords of Europe. Most were too busy fighting each other to take time out and spend money and lives on a risky venture that Crusading has proven to be. But those willing to risk it all on the familiar promise of Heaven, did eventually come forward. The first of these was Count Thibaut of Champagne. A nephew of King Richard of England, who had died in France in 1199. Others soon followed; Louis of Blois, Baldwin of Flanders, and Boniface of Montferrat were some of the earliest.

With the untimely death of Count Thibaut, Boniface was elected as the Crusade leader. The first decision to be made was the formulation of a plan and how to get the army to its destination. The plan was an adoption of one that King Richard has proposed in 1192, but was unable to implement it. Simply stated, to take Jerusalem, Egypt must first be captured. On how to get there, a fleet would be needed. A fleet large enough to transport 30,000 or more Crusaders, their horses, animals, siege engines and supplies to last many months. The only state that had or could build a fleet of the size needed, was the city state of Venice.

At this time, Venice was led by Doge Enrico Dandolo.  Very old and nearly totally blind, Enrico Dandolo agreed to build a fleet large enough. However, the money required for this expense would be great, 85,000 silver marks. When the time came to pay this fee, the Crusaders were short, almost by half.

To allow the Crusade to continue, Dandolo proposed a solution. A solution that would violate Papal edicts. Dandolo demanded that to allow the Crusade to continue, the city of Zara be captured. Zara had once been the property of Venice but was taken over by the Empire of Hungary. The catch was, Zara was a Roman Catholic city and the Pope had forbidden any attack on a Latin Christian city. Any violation of this command would result in immediate excommunication. It was the belief during this time that if excommunicated, Heaven would be denied. Any non believer wanted to be denied Heaven. After all, Heaven was the main reason for going on Crusade in the first place.

Despite the threat of excommunication, the majority of Crusaders agreed. As a result, Zara was taken and the Crusaders were excommunicated, as promised by the Pope.

Now comes Alexios IV, son of the deposed Byzantine Emperor Isaac II. He proposed to the Crusaders that if they would escort him to Constantinople and help retrieve the Imperial throne for him, he would provide both treasure and men to continue their Crusade to recapture Jerusalem. Additionally, he promised to make the Pope the head of the Church in the entire Byzantine Empire. This would end the schism that had existed between the Church in Rome and the Church in Constantinople since 1054.

The promise of Church reunification was enough for Pope Innocent III to remove the edict of excommunication on all the Crusaders except the Venetians, who remained unrepentant, but continued on to Constantinople with an expectation of a vast treasure in rewards.

With the task to recover a throne for Alexios underway, the Crusaders reached Constantinople in early July 1203. Upon their arrival, it became clear that the current Emperor and usurper, Alexios III, would not give up the throne and that the Crusaders, Venetians and the few followers of Alexios IV, would have to lay siege to a city that had never fallen to an invading army in its nearly 900-year existence.

Fortunately for the Crusaders, the city was weak and without a fleet capable of taking on the 200 plus ships of the Venetians. Still, its conquest would not be easy. To land troops in an area that could be approached by ladders and other siege engines, the fleet must be able to enter the Golden Horn, a water way that led to the landed interior of the city. Although Alexios III did not have a fleet, he did have a giant floating chain that could block all ships trying to enter the Gold Horn. Also, he had about 15,000 garrison troops and this number included 5,000 Varangian body guards. The Varangians were mostly comprised of professional fighters from the lands of the Vikings and Kievan Rus. These Varangian fighters were the equal of any Crusader.

Now that you have read this "short" introduction concerning why we have arrived near the city Constantinople; it is time to march into battle. This first scenario will depict the battle for Galata. Galata was a critical piece of land due to the fact that its capture would allow for the breakage of the floating chain that would allow the fleet to enter into the Golden Horn and lay siege to this mighty city. The largest in Christendom with a population of perhaps 500,000.

Alexios III has positioned a large part of his army just to the north of the walled town of Galata. His plan was to stop the Crusaders and end their siege before it could become a threat to his throne. As for the Crusaders, they are ready and eager to end this siege as soon as possible so they can continue their mission to capture Egypt and recapture Jerusalem.

As the Crusader, you must capture the Byzantine fortified camp and take Galata if possible. Be sure to take care as you approach the camp, It is surrounded by pointed stakes. To overcome the walls, you have ladders. If you choose to take control of the Byzantine army, your task is simply stated, stop the Crusaders.

NOTE: Except for the forces that are near to actual battle site, all the Byzantines within Constantinople are fixed and will not participate in the battle. Ships are symbolically represented and cannot maneuver.

Recommended Rules: [Default]

Intended to be played as either side against the AI or Head-to-Head.

Suggested reading: Nicolle, David, The Fourth Crusade 1202–04. Osprey Campaign Series. Vol. 237. Also, J. Phillip "The Fourth Crusade and the Sack of Constantinople".