To him it was an
"earthly heaven, a throne of divine magnificence, an image of the
firmament created by the Almighty." The plunder of the same church in
1453 by Mahomet II compares favorably with that made by the crusaders
of 1204.
The sack of the city went on during the three days after the capture.
An order was issued, probably on the third day, by the leaders of the
army, for the protection of women. Three bishops had pronounced
excommunication against all who should pillage church or convent. It
was many days, however, before the army could be reduced to its
ordinary condition of discipline. A proclamation was made throughout
the army that all the booty should be collected, in order to be
divided fairly among the captors. Three churches were selected as
depots, and trusty guards of crusaders and Venetians were stationed to
watch what was thus brought in. Much, however, was kept back, and much
stolen. Stern measures had to be resorted to before order was
restored. Many crusaders were hanged. The Count of St. Paul hanged one
of his own knights with his shield round his neck because he had not
given up the booty he had captured.
Pages:
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274