Henry of Asti, Greek patriarch

Henry of Asti: A Crusader's Legacy in the Aegean

Henry of Asti, known also by his Italian name Enrico d'Asti (died 17 January 1345), was a prominent figure in the Latin ecclesiastical hierarchy of the 14th century. He held the significant, albeit titular, position of Roman Catholic Patriarch of Constantinople from 1339, reflecting the aspirations of the Western Church to regain influence over the former Byzantine capital. Concurrently, he served as Bishop of Negroponte, a crucial Latin possession in Frankish Greece, located on the island of Euboea, which was then under significant Venetian influence. Henry's historical prominence is largely attributed to his pivotal leadership of the First Smyrniote Crusade (1342–1345), an ambitious papal initiative aimed at curtailing Turkish naval power in the Aegean, and on which he ultimately met his end.

Early Papal Mandates and Diplomatic Endeavours

Henry's initial engagements highlight the papacy's trust in his diplomatic capabilities. In February 1341, Pope Benedict XII entrusted him with a delicate mission: to receive procurators representing the notorious Catalan Grand Company. This mercenary group, known for its disruptive activities across the Byzantine lands, sought reconciliation and a return "to the bosom of the mother Church," indicating a desire to regularise their standing after potentially being excommunicated or operating outside papal authority.

By 1342, Henry was deeply involved in forming a vital anti-Turkish coalition. He successfully negotiated an alliance between King Hugh IV of Cyprus, a key Latin ruler in the Eastern Mediterranean, and the Knights Hospitaler, one of the most powerful military orders of the age. This formidable league was specifically directed against the burgeoning power of the Turkish ruler Umur Beg of Aydin, whose emirate, based in western Anatolia, posed a significant threat to Christian shipping and territories in the Aegean Sea. On 2 November 1342, demonstrating his role as a key papal envoy, Henry delivered a crucial papal letter to Bartolomeo Gradenigo, the Doge of Venice. This letter formally requested Venice, a maritime superpower with extensive mercantile interests in the East, to join the growing anti-Turkish league. The Pope further underscored the importance of this alliance by appointing Cardinal Guillaume Court as an apostolic legate to Venice, ensuring high-level diplomatic engagement.

Leadership of the Smyrniote Crusade

The strategic importance of Henry's work was formally recognized on 31 August 1342, when Pope Clement VI officially named him his legate for the upcoming crusade against Smyrna. This appointment was made, as the Pope noted, "because of the great and important business [he conducted] in Greece." Smyrna, a vital port city then controlled by Umur Beg, served as a primary base for Turkish piratical raids that severely disrupted Christian trade routes and pilgrim traffic. Henry was entrusted with the overall command of the expedition as commander-in-chief, reflecting the papacy's direct involvement in the crusade's military operations. He was to lead the Genoese fleet, a crucial naval component, under the experienced Martino Zaccaria. Zaccaria, a Genoese noble and former Lord of Chios, was named captain-general, yet Henry retained the authority to remove him if circumstances demanded, underscoring the patriarch's supreme command.

The crusade garnered support from various Latin entities in the Aegean. In the summer of 1343, Duke John I of the Archipelago, the ruler of Naxos and other Cycladic islands, communicated his intent to contribute a galley to the expedition, highlighting the broad Latin Christian participation in this critical endeavour.

Beyond his direct military command, Henry's diplomatic skills remained in high demand. On 21 October 1343, he was specifically charged with mediating a complex and volatile political dispute in the Duchy of Athens. His task was to maintain peace between the ducal claimant, Count Walter VI of Brienne, and the entrenched occupying forces of the Catalan Company. This assignment drew upon his prior experience with the Catalans from 1341 and underscored the papacy's reliance on him to navigate intricate inter-Christian conflicts that could undermine broader anti-Turkish efforts.

The Fortunate Progress and the Fall of Smyrna's Harbour

As the crusade progressed into 1344, Henry reported its "fortunate progress" to the Pope, who in turn, in a letter dated 25 July, thanked Hélion de Villeneuve, the Grand Master of the Knights Hospitaler, for the essential assistance his order was providing to the campaign, reaffirming their crucial military contribution. However, challenges persisted beyond military engagements. On 18 September, Pope Clement VI issued a directive to Henry, instructing him to prevent Martino Zaccaria from attempting to re-conquer the Lordship of Chios. This strategic Aegean island had been lost by Zaccaria's family to the Byzantines following an internal rebellion. The Pope's intervention was driven by a crucial political calculation: he feared that the loss of Chios, a strategically vital possession, could push the Byzantine Empire into an undesirable alliance with the encroaching Ottoman Turks, thereby jeopardising the wider Christian front.

A significant breakthrough occurred on 28 October 1344, when the crusader forces successfully captured the harbour of Smyrna, a pivotal achievement that denied Umur Beg a vital naval base. Following this victory, Henry established his headquarters within the newly secured port area and immediately commenced the crucial work of restoring and fortifying its defences, effectively establishing a strategic Christian foothold. Although the papal congratulations arrived belatedly, on 1 February 1345, Pope Clement VI warmly commended Henry for his "virtuously, constantly and intrepidly" leading the crusade. Recognizing the formidable challenge of securing continued funding for the prolonged campaign, the Pope nonetheless entrusted Henry with the ultimate decision on how to proceed, acknowledging that Henry had been thoroughly "taught in the school of experience" – a testament to his seasoned judgment and leadership qualities.

The Tragic End of a Crusader

One of the patriarch's final acts before his untimely death exemplified his unwavering commitment to the crusade. He led a successful foraging expedition with Martino Zaccaria, commanding a fleet of twelve galleys to secure essential supplies. Upon their triumphant return, the Ottoman forces that had been besieging the city's citadel were compelled to retreat, a testament to the ongoing military pressure exerted by the crusaders.

Henry of Asti was tragically killed on 17 January 1345. His death occurred during a deeply symbolic, yet perilous, act. He had intended to celebrate a victory Mass in a former church within Smyrna, possibly the seat of the local Greek Orthodox metropolis, which the Turks had repurposed as a stable. This church lay dangerously situated between the newly established Christian lines in the harbour and the still-contested Turkish-held citadel. Despite Martino Zaccaria's reported objections to the extreme danger of this venture, he accompanied Henry to the Mass. During the service, Umur Beg himself, leading a determined Turkish assault, attacked the church. While the majority of those present managed to escape to the relative safety of the harbour citadel, Henry, along with Martino Zaccaria and the prominent Venetian leader Pietro Zeno, were tragically slain in the ensuing chaos. The heroic, yet ill-fated, circumstances of Henry's death quickly gave rise to numerous legends that circulated widely in Italy, cementing his place as a martyr in the crusading narrative.

The enduring respect for Henry of Asti was even acknowledged by his adversaries. When Umur Beg's brother and successor, Khidr Beg, signed a peace treaty with the crusaders on 18 August 1348, he included a notable provision: an offer to return the body of Henry of Asti whenever the crusaders chose to claim it, a gesture that underscored the patriarch's significant standing even among his enemies.

Frequently Asked Questions about Henry of Asti and the Smyrniote Crusade

Who was Henry of Asti?
Henry of Asti, also known as Enrico d'Asti, was a 14th-century Roman Catholic Patriarch of Constantinople (titular from 1339) and Bishop of Negroponte. He is primarily known for his leadership of the First Smyrniote Crusade (1342–1345), during which he died.
What was the Smyrniote Crusade?
The Smyrniote Crusade was a papal-initiated military expedition (1342–1345) primarily aimed at countering the growing naval power and raids of the Turkish Emirate of Aydin, led by Umur Beg, in the Aegean Sea. Its main objective was the strategic port city of Smyrna, a key base for Turkish operations.
Why was Smyrna a target for the Crusade?
Smyrna (modern-day Izmir, Turkey) was a crucial port city controlled by Umur Beg of Aydin. It served as a major naval base for Turkish pirates who routinely raided Christian shipping and coastal territories in the Aegean, making its capture essential for securing Christian trade routes and maritime safety.
What was Henry of Asti's role in the Crusade?
Henry of Asti was appointed papal legate and commander-in-chief of the Smyrniote Crusade by Pope Clement VI. He held supreme authority over the military operations, including over the Genoese captain-general, Martino Zaccaria. He was instrumental in negotiating alliances, securing support, and leading the forces.
How did Henry of Asti die?
Henry of Asti was killed on 17 January 1345 in Smyrna. He was celebrating a victory Mass in a reconsecrated church located between Christian and Turkish lines when Umur Beg himself led a surprise attack. Henry, along with Martino Zaccaria and Pietro Zeno, died in the assault.
Who was Umur Beg of Aydin?
Umur Beg was a powerful Turkish emir of the Aydinid dynasty in western Anatolia during the 14th century. He was a formidable naval commander whose emirate posed a significant threat to the Christian states and maritime activities in the Aegean, making him the primary adversary of the Smyrniote Crusade.