Page "Baldwin I of Constantinople" Paragraph 13

The imperial crown was at first offered to Enrico Dandolo, Doge of Venice, who refused it.

The choice then lay between Baldwin and the nominal leader of the crusade, Boniface of Montferrat.

While Boniface was considered the most probable choice, due to his connections with the Byzantine court, Baldwin was young, gallant, pious, and virtuous, one of the few who interpreted and observed his crusading vows strictly, and the most popular leader in the host.

With Venetian support he was elected on 9 May 1204, and crowned on 16 May in the Hagia Sophia at a ceremony which closely followed Byzantine practices.

During his coronation, Baldwin wore a very rich jewel that had been bought by Byzantine Emperor Manuel I Komnenos for 62, 000 silver marks.

Baldwin's wife Marie, unaware of these events, had sailed to Acre.

There she learned of her husband's election as emperor, but died in August 1204 before she could join him.