2 – Henry (1206 – 1216)
As Constantinople did not receive reliable information that Baldwin was dead until July 1206, there was no official emperor for over a year. Eventually, Henry, Baldwin’s brother, was crowned in August 1206. Henry had also been involved in the Fourth Crusade and was a division general during the siege of Constantinople. Although he was the obvious successor to Baldwin, the Lombard nobles in Thessalonica would not swear allegiance. Henry went to war against them and ultimately defeated the Lombards after a two-year conflict.
Henry was easily the best of the Latin Emperors and was known for his fair and even-handed treatment of the Greeks. He was also an excellent general and used his skills not only to defeat the Lombards but also to overcome enemies such as Kaloyan and the Emperor of Nicaea, Theodore I Lascaris. When Kaloyan was murdered in 1207, he was succeeded by Boril. However, Boril didn’t have any better luck against Henry than his predecessor and was defeated at the Battle of Philippopolis in 1208.
Henry’s military excellence was also noticeable during his ongoing conflict with Nicaea which had a competing claim for the empire. He expanded the empire’s territory in Asia Minor in 1207 and defeated Theodore at the Battle of Rhyndacus in 1211. It was a significant victory at the time as it allowed the Latins to march almost unopposed through Nicaea territory as far as Nymphaion. Despite his success, Henry decided not to overstretch as he wanted to focus on issues in Europe, so he signed a truce with Nicaea in 1214.
Henry was unable to carry out whatever plans he had because he died in 1216. It is suggested that he was poisoned by Oberto II of Biandrate, who was formerly a regent in Thessalonica. There is also a belief that Henry’s wife, Maria of Bulgaria, instigated the plot. It was a shame for the Latin Empire because Henry was tolerant but not weak, strong, but not cruel and an outstanding military commander. The empire would never again have such a good ruler.