the first smyrniote crusade was the brainchild of clement vi. the threat of turkish piracy in the aegean sea had induced clement's predecessors, john xxii and benedict xii, to maintain a fleet of four galleys there to defend christian shipping but starting in the 1340s clement endeavoured with venetian aid to expand this effort into a full military expedition. he commissioned henry of asti, the catholic patriarch of constantinople, to organise a league against the turks, who had increased their piracy in the aegean in recent years. hugh iv of cyprus and the order of the hospital joined and on 2 november 1342, the pope sent letters to engage the men and ships of venice. the papal bull granting the crusade indulgence and authorising its preaching throughout europe, "insurgentibus contra fidem", was published on 30 september.