n.
born 1172, Valenciennes
died 1205
First Latin emperor of Constantinople (120405).
Count of Flanders and Hainaut, he was a leader of the Fourth Crusade , which was directed against the Byzantine Empire. He helped install a pro-Latin emperor (1203). When the Crusaders in Constantinople seized power, he was elected emperor (1204) and recognized by the pope. He created a government on the western European model, granting Greek lands to his knights, but was defeated, taken prisoner, and executed by invading Bulgars.