History of the Latin Empire of Constantinople the foundation period (1204-1216)

Among the Crusades (1095-1291) which organized by Western World to the East, Fourth Crusade led by Pope Innocentius III. takes significant place. Although aforementioned military expedition ended up with the sack of Constantinople, capital city of Byzanzine Empire, on 13 April 1204 rather than rescuing "holy lands" from the hands of Muslims. Thereafter as Byzantium was falling apart, various political organizations, established by Latins, emerged in Constantinople, Balkans and Mainland Greece. In the study mainly focused on the military and political history of the Latin Empire of Constantinople (1204-1261) which is the most important comparing to other Latin-based organizations not only because of its establishment in the Byzantine Empire's capital but also its geopolitical position, covering the establishing years 1204-1216. In this context Eastern and Western borders of the Latin Empire of Constantinople were examined individually. In the West side of the empire, military and political relations with the Second Bulgarian Empire, Despotate of Epiros, Serbia, Latin Kingdom of Thessaloniki were analyzed in detail. Abovementioned of the political organizations, most particularly conflicts with the Second Bulgarian Empire took great part in this study. Especially during the reign of Kaloyan (1197-1207) and Boril (1207-1218), Bulgarians kept the West side of the Latin Empire of Constantinople under constant pressure. Following that Latin Emperors Baudouin I (1204-1205) and Henri I's (1206-1216) diverse policies against Bulgarian threat and its consequences were examined. On the East side of the state, struggle agaisnt the Nicaean Empire which severely threatened existence of the Latin Empire of Constantinople was cited. As a result of efforts by Theodoros Laskaris I (1204-1222), Nicaean Empire, which emerged as a heir to the former Byzantine Empire, taking advantage of the Latin Empire of Constantinople being distracted with the conflict on the West, frequently broke the Latin domination in Anatolia. This situation, which took place intensively in the years between 1204-1208, lasted until 1211. Post 1211, securing the Western border, Latin Empire of Constantinople led by Emperor Henri, went on a campaign through Anatolia and defeated Nicaean Empire led by Theodoros Laskaris I. Thus, Latin dominance was established around the Sea of Marmara. Following that peace was made between two sides in Nymphaion (Nif/Kemalpaşa). Keywords: The Fourth Crusade, The Latin Empire of Constantinople, The Nicaean Empire, Baudouin I, Henri I, Theodoros Laskaris I