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April 8 1204-Micheal, a Byzantine soldier stationed in the Walls of Blacherne was in a hurry. He was being transfered to another portion of the wall, but he left his sheild behind. He in a hurry runs back to the tower he was stationed in. When he arrives he finds the Tower doors locked, he began to pull the door when he heard a Frankish Mans voice speaking Vulgar Greek. Two Frankish Men and the Tower Commander Theodore were negotiating a secret deal. After several minutes of talking, one of the Franks asked how much money Thedore wanted to betray the Byzantines and let the Franks in. Thedore replied 50 Silver Talons, and the Franks laughed, they said 20 Silver Talons would be a more realistic price. Eventually it was decided on 30, Theodore would betray the entire city of Constantinople for 30 Talons (Bonus points for someone who draws a connection :)). Micheal began walking backwards slowly away from the tower and triped and fell to the ground. Micheal for sure he had been caught ran with all his might down the whole length of the wall. When he arrived at his post, he was half a hour late. His Commander demanded to know what took him so long. Micheal explained everything in detail. His Commander who was still in suspicion told him it would be taken care off.
April 9 1204-Theodore is in his tower on guard duty thinking of the money he is going to make. Suddenly, 4 Soldiers burst into his tower and drew swords on him. Theodore pleaded for Mercy. This simply confirmed what micheal had said and the Soldiers killed Theodore. They threw his body off of the wall and into the moat below. Later in the day more soldiers were shifted to the Blanchere Walls in preperation for the Crusader Attack.
April 12, 1204-The Crusaders launch thier attack at day break. The Regular crusader force was repelled along the land walls, but nearly broke throught the Blanchere Walls. One Crusader got onto the wall and was quickly killed by a Byzantine Soldier who quoted Romulus from the founding of Rome. "This is what happens to those who try to make it over my cities walls". The Venitians attacking the sea walls made a little more sucess, but the Varagian Guard managed to repel them off. By nightfall, the Crusader Army had been repelled and the Byzantines were victorious.
April 13-The Crusaders make camp outside of Constantinople and begin to take account of the wounded and dead. An estimated 3000 soldiers died and a further 6,000 were wounded. The Wounded were crammed together in the Tents and disease began to spread. Worst more, a Hungarian Army was fast approaching to relieve the siege and a Byzantine Fleet from Greece was making its way up the Dardenelles. The Crusaders and Venetians were in no choice but to give up, by the end of April, the Crusaders and the Bankrupt Venetians were heading home, a disheartened Doge Enrico Dandolo died on the way home, some believe he took his own life while others believe he caught the plauge. The Byzantines beat the Crusaders
May 2-The Pope issues a decleration that all those who toke part in the Failed Siege of Constantinople must recieve the Sacrament of Reconcilitaion in Three Months time or be excommunicated. This was intended to heal relations with the east which worked to some extent.
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