The betrayal of Byzantium
The Fourth Crusade was the first and most famous of the 'diverted' Crusades, and also the first to attack a fellow Christian state. lt never reached its original target, Ayyubid Egypt, but instead comprised an attack on the Christian city of Zadar in modern Croatia before the Crusaders assaulted the Byzantine capital of Constantinople, which was one of the most wealthy and cosmopolitan centres of the medieval world. The city was eventually sacked, with vast quantities of booty being shipped to Western Europe while the short-lived Latin Empire of Romania emerged from its ruins. Accompanied by full-colour artwork, detailed maps and bird's-eye views, this book provides an in-depth analysis of the battles, commanders and armies who fought in the expedition.
Born in 1944, David Nicolle worked in the BBC's Arabic service for a number of years before gaining an MA from the School of Oriental and African Studies, London, and a doctorate from Edinburgh University. He has written numerous books and articles on medieval and Islamic warfare, and has been a prolific author of Osprey titles for many years.
Christa Hook began her illustrating career in 1986, after studying under her father Richard Hook. Her work has featured extensively in the worlds of publishing and television and, having illustrated over 30 Osprey titles, she has established herse If as one of their most popular artists. Her illustrations combine the historian's attention to detail with the artist's sen se of drama and atmosphere, and they are sought after by collectors worldwide. Christa lives and works in East Sussex, England.
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