Theobald III of Champagne and the Origins of the Fourth Crusade (1197–1199 CE)

Theobald III, Count of Champagne, was the younger son of Henry I of Champagne and Marie of France(daughter of Louis VII and Eleanor of Aquitaine). He became Count of Champagne in 1197, following the death of his older brother, Henry II, in Palestine. During his brief rule, Theobald was closely involved in both political and financial dealings with Philip II of France and in the early stages of the Fourth Crusade.

Theobald III and Philip II’s Jewish Charters (1198–1231)

• In September 1198, Theobald and Philip Augustus issued charters dictating the rights of the Jews in their respective lands, particularly in relation to debts.
• These agreements ensured that debts owed to Philip were repaid to Champagne for the use of its Jewish moneylenders.
• These laws were later reinforced in additional charters between 1198 and 1231, shaping the legal framework of Jewish financial interactions in medieval France.

The Tournament at Écry and the Launch of the Fourth Crusade (November 28, 1199)

• Innocent III had called for the Fourth Crusade in 1198, but enthusiasm was initially limited.
• On November 28, 1199, Theobald hosted a grand tournament at his castle in Écry-sur-Aisne, attended by many prominent French nobles.
• The preacher Fulk of Neuilly used the occasion to preach the Crusade, successfully inspiring many nobles to take the cross.
• The crusaders elected Theobald as their leader, marking the formal beginning of the Fourth Crusade.
• Among those present was Geoffrey de Villehardouin, Marshal of Champagne, who would later write one of the principal chronicles of the Crusade.

Legacy of Theobald III

• He would not live to lead the Crusade, as he died in 1201, shortly before its departure.
• His death left the leadership uncertain, leading to the election of Boniface of Montferrat as the new commander.
• The Fourth Crusade would infamously divert its forces to Constantinople, leading to the sack of the Byzantine capital in 1204 rather than a campaign in the Holy Land.

Despite his short rule, Theobald III played a crucial role in the financial and political negotiations of Champagne, and his tournament at Écry was the turning point that officially launched the Fourth Crusade.