Baldwin I (1172–1205)

Count of Flanders (as Baldwin IX), and Emperor of the Constantinople 1204–05. He joined the Fourth Crusade in 1202, which never reached the Holy Land, but became embroiled in conflict over rival claims to the Byzantine throne. When the crusaders sacked Constantinople in 1204, Baldwin was put in power as ruler of a Latin Empire centered on the city. While besieging Adrianople in the following year, he was taken prisoner by the Bulgarians and died in captivity.

The Fourth Crusade, of which Baldwin was a leader, placed Alexius IV on the Byzantine throne in return for promise of funds to reach Jerusalem. When this promise was broken, the disgruntled crusaders installed Baldwin as emperor; his kingdom comprised only the city of Constantinople and its surroundings, and a few islands in the Aegean. He met his death while attempting to suppress a revolt of the Greeks, aided by the Bulgarians, against the Latins in Thrace.