38 
of the first city in the world. Booty was piled up in three 
churches and then divided. _ Priceless specimens of ancient art 
were recklessly destroyed. Colossal bronzes were melted down. 
Only for the relics of saints, for which the city was famed, did 
the looters show respect or reverence. These sacred objects 
were brought west in vast quantities. Whatever excuse may 
be made for the diversion of the crusade, nothing can be urged 
in extenuation of the vandalism and plunder which character- 
ised the taking of the city. In the light of his earlier policy of 
excommunication, it is interesting to find Innocent TL ex 
pressing his satisfaction on account of the fact that Baldwin 
and his supporters attributed their success ‘to Almighty God 
and himself.’ The work of consolidating the new empire was 
hampered by the greed of the clergy, and the slackness of the 
nobles. Baldwin had a short reign ; he was taken prisoner by 
John of Bulgaria at Adrianople and probably perished. 
Henry of Flanders succeeded to the title of Emperor, 1206. 
One by one the chiefs of the crusade fell in a manner worthy of a 
better cause, but rare old Dandolo passed away peacefully, full 
of age and honours: he was buried in Hagia Sophia amid 
tokens of general esteem and regret. Latin Emperors continued 
to boast the title until 1261, when the general of Michael 
Palaologus entered Constantinople, and the Latin domination 
ended. 
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