AN ISLAND BOUGHT FOR A PRICE!
A HUGELY UNPOPULAR RULE
The rule of the Knights Templar in Cyprus was an unhappy and tumultuous affair. It saw the island descend into constant turmoil and conflict. Richard the Lionheart, who conquered Cyprus in 1191, introduced a feudal taxation system. Athough this made the island very profitable, it also made his administration hugely unpopular. The Crusaders’ army was forced to put down several revolts, and their tenure in charge became a brutal affair. Although the king managed to maintain control, Cypriot resistance proved to be a constant thorn in his side.Â
EAGER TO DEPART
Eager to depart for the Third Crusade, the king would sell the island to the Knights Templar just a year later. The new Templar administration on the island sought to recoup its investment as quickly as possible. They did this by trying to extract as much wealth as quickly as possible from the island. Offering no reprieve, they immediately sought to continue the unpopular, but very profitable, form of taxation. This created a recipe for disaster for the Knights Templar in Cyprus, and the island soon descended into a state of chaos and civil war.
PROTECTERS OF HOLY PILGRIMS
The organisation surrounding the Knights Templar was founded in 1119. Their main purpose was to protect pilgrims travelling to and from the Holy Lands. Loyal to their Latin Christian faith, the warrior monks had, by the time of their acquisition of Cyprus, evolved into a very wealthy and powerful entity. They not only sought to spread their faith, but also their influence. They also constantly sought to add to their considerable wealth. Cyprus, with its lucrative trade routes and various natural resources seemed to be a good aquisition at the time.
HIGH TAXES FOR ALL
The Knights Templar in Cyprus wanted to generate as much new funds as possible for their ongoing crusading activities. They aggressively implementing higher taxes and tolls on key trade routes that ran through the island. They also confiscated huge swaithes of land causing descent amongst the local Cypriot heirachy. This eventually led to the latter declaring an open revolt, just as they did under the previous rule. The Knights Templar responded in true Crusader fashion and attempted to put down all rebellion with violent force. This led to the acceleration of a state of civil war and strife throughout the island.
A WHOLESALE MASSACRE
After several negotiations broke down, spies reported that a local Cypriot militia had armed itself. A Templar garrison was to be targeted during the period of Easter in 1192. This led to unprecedented carnage in the form of a wholesale massacre. The Knight’s pre-emptive strike went on to kill anyone who had the misfortune of crossing their path, killing several innocent people along the way. This action galvanised local Cypriots, who then joined the rebel cause with even more fervour. Â
A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH
The Knights Templar underestimated both the zeal and the fighting ability of the Cypriots. The latter had gained valuable military experience previously fighting Richard the Lionheart’s crusader armies. They had also become familiar with Crusader tactics and this made them a worthy military adversary and a force to be reckoned with.Â
A FULL-SCALE REBELLION
Although the Templar massacre of 1192 managed to quell a single revolt, the seeds were firmly sown for full-scale rebellion. Hatred for the monks was rife and blood vengeance became the renewed rallying call for all Cypriot men of fighting age. The warrior monks were now regarded as an occupying force and a state of civil war soon took hold on the island. This forced the Templar administration to take steps to aleviate the situation. They slightly eased taxation, which brought an uneasy peace for a while, but their control of the island had already began to wane.Â
A LOSSED CAUSE FOR THE KNOIGHTS TEMPLAR
Several Cypriots continued to fight on, and it soon became evident that they were winning the fight. Although the Knights Templar were highly skilled warriors, it became evident that there were not enough of them to properly control the whole island. Cypriot militias often had the upper hand and they went on to win several key battles across the island. This ultimately led to the Templar administration becoming untenable on the island leading to their eventual departure.Â
GUY DE LUSIGNAN
The eventual departure of the Knights Templar from Cyprus came after control of the island was transferred to the deposed King of Jerusalem, Guy De Lusignan. The forces of Saladin had just defeated the king and after losing his kingdom of Jerusalem, he promptly sought to established a new Kingdom in Cyprus. His administration immediately restored some of the confiscated lands to the local Cypriot nobles and they introduced a much fairer system of taxation. This effectively ended the civil war and the Franks would go on to rule the island in relative peace for several years.Â
INTERESTING FACTS OF CYPRIOT TEMPLAR LEGACIES
The Templar administration in Cyprus significantly influenced Cypriot society through military power, economic development, and cultural integration. Their legacy on the island continues to be a subject of fascination. This has led several scholars to suggest that their tenure on the island directly reflects their complex role in medieval society.Â
The Knights Templar largely introduced Latin culture and religion to certain sections of Cypriot society. This directly led to a unique blend of Latin and Greek cultures that helped to produce a new unique Cypriot identity. They also went on to introduce Western art, and the Templar commanderies often served as centres of knowledge by preserving manuscripts and promoting education. The Knights Templar introduced Western Christian practices and rituals to the island. They also contributed greatly to architectural heritage of Cyprus through their building program. This included the introduction of several Latin churches and monasteries. Several ruins of Templar structures still remain all over the island, particularly within the district of Larnaca.
The Knights Templar played a vital military role on the island. They successfully defended Cyprus against Muslim forces and pirate raids. They went on to use the island as an important strategic base for launching further Crusades to the east. The Templars established commanderies and military bases throughout the island. Kolossi and its castle, within the district of Limassol, was used as a major garrisoned commandery. The port city of Famagusta, in the east, also became a crucial Templar base for trade and military operations.Â
The Knights Templar were instrumental in fortifying coastal cities against pirate raids. They developed a strong naval presence in Cyprus. This would help to protect maritime trade in the whole of the Eastern Mediterranean. The Templars also collaborated with other Latin Christian orders, such as the Knights Hospitaller. These collaborations led to further shared defence and administration that helped to maintain ties with several European monarchs, who often supplied support when and where necessary. Cyprus became a significant stop for pilgrims travelling to and from the Holy Land.Â
The Knights Templar often lived in communal settings that were characterised by strict rules and duties. Their hierarchical structure included knights, clerics, and sergeants, with each fulfilling specific roles. They gained significant estates from notable local Cypriot families through confiscation, allowing them to become influential landowners throughout the island. This, along with the unpopular taxes, led to several conflicts with Cypriot nobles, eventually fuelling rebellion and civil war.
