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Pope Innocent III wrote a letter to the Fourth Crusaders threatening to excommunicate their leadership prior to the sack of Zama should they attack Christians. This included the Orthodox Christians, unlike the less specific letter written later. Emperor Alexios III had already paid for the transport of the Crusaders lest they be interned in Venice, so suppose the original letter is made public and the Crusaders are forbidden from attacking the Byzantines on threat of excommunication. What do you think happens as a result?
 
The bulk of Crusaders that attacked Zara (a significant part just left) would probably still undergo the expedition at this point, would it be only because it wouldn't be about attacking Byzantines, but supporting a claimant that swore to them he would give them most needed supplies to undergo the Crusade.
 
What do you think would be the first target of the Crusaders and how does this change the Byzantine Empire? How does it change the Middle East?
 
What do you think would be the first target of the Crusaders and how does this change the Byzantine Empire? How does it change the Middle East?

From what I've read about it, it seemed like they were all kind of in too deep at this point to stop. They already kind of pledged to back the pretender, after all.
 
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