AN ISLAND BOUGHT FOR A PRICE!
A HUGELY UNPOPULAR RULE
The rule of the Knights Templar in Cyprus was a tumultuous and unhappy affair. It saw the island descend into constant turmoil and conflict. Richard the Lionheart, who conquered Cyprus in 1191, introduced a feudal taxation system. Although this made the island very profitable, it also made his administration hugely unpopular. The Crusader 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.
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. However, the Christian order had evolved into something far greater by the time they acquired Cyprus. Still loyal to their Latin Christian faith, the warrior monks had become a very wealthy and powerful organisation. This meant that they constantly sought to spread not only their faith but also their influence, and they wanted to use Cyprus as a springboard for this. Continually seeking to increase their considerable wealth, Cyprus, with its lucrative trade routes and various natural resources, seemed to be a good acquisition for them at the time.
HIGH TAXES FOR ALL
As well as raising money for their ongoing crusading activities, the main aim of the Knight Templar administration in Cyprus was to recoup the funds for their costly new acquisition. With this in mind, they immediately implemented high taxes across the island by further extending the unpopular feudal tax system. They also set extremely high tolls after taking control of several key trade routes that ran through the island. The Templars also went on to confiscate huge swathes of land, which caused dissent amongst the local Cypriot hierarchy. Brute force was commonly used to implement their harsh and controversial rule. This did not sit well with the local populace, leading to a declaration of open revolt, causing a conflict that was just short of a civil war.
A WHOLESALE MASSACRE
The Knights Templar, in true Crusader fashion, met this resistance with brutal, violent force, leading to yet more conflict. On one occasion, after several negotiations broke down, spies reported that a local Cypriot militia had armed itself and was intending to attack a Templar garrison 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. This action led to several local Cypriots joining the rebel cause with even more fervour after several innocent people were killed.
A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH
The Knights Templar underestimated both the zeal and the fighting capabilities of the Cypriots. The Cypriot’s familiarity with Crusader tactics made them a force to be reckoned with. They had gained valuable military experience previously fighting Richard the Lionheart’s crusader armies, and this made them into a worthy military adversary.
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 Templars 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 alleviate the situation, leading to slightly eased taxation. This brought an uneasy peace for a while, but their control of the island had already begun to wane.
A LOSSED CAUSE FOR THE KNIGHTS 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.
GUY DE LUSIGNAN
The eventual departure of the Knights Templar from Cyprus came after control of the island was ceded to the deposed King of Jerusalem, Guy De Lusignan. He promptly sought to establish a new Kingdom in Cyprus after losing his kingdom in Jerusalem to the forces of Saladin. 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 rebellion, and the Franks would go on to rule the island in relative peace for several years.
INTERESTING FACTS OF CYPRIOT TEMPLAR LEGACIES
A NEW UNIQUE CYPRIOT IDENTITY
The Templar administration in Cyprus had a significant influence on Cypriot society as a whole. This helped to produce a new, unique Cypriot identity. It did this through military power, economic development, and cultural integration. Latin culture, as well as Western Christian religion, was introduced to certain sections of Cypriot society, and this directly led to the unique blending of both cultures that helped forge a new, distinct Cypriot identity. As a result, the Templar legacy on the island remains a subject of great fascination. Several scholars suggest that the tenure of the Templars on the island directly reflects their complex role in greater medieval society.
A CENTRE OF EDUCATION
Templar commanderies often served as centres of knowledge. They did this by preserving manuscripts and providing a centre of education. They also successfully introduced Western art, and they were instrumental in introducing Western Christian practices. They also contributed greatly to the architectural heritage of Cyprus through their building program. This included the introduction of several Latin churches and monasteries. Today, several ruins of Templar structures remain all over the island, particularly within the district of Larnaca.
A BASE FOR MILITARY OPERATIONS
The Knights Templar played a vital military role on the island. They successfully defended Cyprus against pirates and forces mainly from the east. They went on to use the island as an important strategic base for launching further Crusades. 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 both trade and military operations.
A SIGNIFICANT STOP FOR PILGRIMS
Instrumental in fortifying coastal cities against pirate raids, the Knights Templar went on to develop a strong naval presence, which helped to protect maritime trade in the whole of the Eastern Mediterranean. The Templars also helped to cement their position on the island by collaborating with other Latin Christian orders. This included the Knights Hospitaller, who also established a sizable presence on the island. These collaborations led to further shared defence and administration. This helped to maintain ties with several European monarchs, who often supplied support when and where it was necessary. This enabled Cyprus to become a significant stop for pilgrims travelling to and from the Holy Land.
REBELLION & CIVIL WAR
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 also aggressively gained significant estates and land from notable local Cypriot families. They did this mainly through confiscation, and this allowed them to become influential landowners. This, along with unpopular taxes, led to several conflicts with local Cypriots, eventually fuelling rebellion and civil war.
