A COMPREHENSIVE HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
THE ENDING OF AN ERA OF BYZANTINE RULE
tByzantine rule of Cyprus came to an abrupt end when Richard I of England, also known as RICHARD THE LIONHEART landed on the island in 1191. This brief yet brutal episode in the island’s history has raised several questions. Many have suggested that this campaign was a strategic conquest of necessity by a competent military leader of the Third Crusade. Others, however, have recorded it as an accident of circumstance. One thing that everybody agrees on, is that the backdrop the Anglo-Norman ascent to Cyprus was the Third Crusade, which was initiated as a response after the capture of Jerusalem by Saladin in 1187.
THE THIRD CRUSADE
Whether the Anglo-Norman conquest of the island was an act of opportunism or a good strategic move, it did have significant implications for the island. The primary goal of the Third Crusade was to reclaim the Holy City and restore Christendom’s foothold in the East. King Richard, seen as one of the most formidable military leaders of his time, joined forces with King Philip II of France and Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa of the Holy Roman Empire. His conquest of Cyprus, though strategic, did not really fit in to this rhetoric.
ISAAC KOMNENOS
At that time, Cyprus was under the tyrannical rule of ISAAC KOMNENOS. The self-imposed ruler had seized power amid political instability that followed a decline of Byzantine authority on the island. The Anglo-Normans sought refuge after a storm forced some of their fleet towards the coast of Limassol. Komnenos instead of offering refuge took advanrage of the situation and ordered his forces to plunder treasure from wrecked Crusader ships. He also took a number of the king’s fleet prisoner and the ship carrying the future Queen of England, Berengaria of Navarre, was effectively blockading in port of Limassol.
A REPUTATION FOR HOSTILITY
ISAAC KOMNENOS had a long standing reputation for hostility. This along with his aggressive initial actions forced the King of England’s hand. His remaining Crusaders, after landing unopposed on the coast of Limassol, set about establishing a base against the explicit wishes of Komnenos. The latter retaliated by launching several attacks on the base, but these were easily repelled by the far superior Anglo-Norman forces. The Crusaders went on to besiege the Limassol Castle and after capturing the whole region, RICHARD THE LIONHEART ordered his forces to take control of the entire island. The Anglo-Normans then waged a brutal war on all who stood against them. This included the City of Amathus, which was plundered and then raised to the ground.
A SERIES OF STRATEGIC MANOEUVRES
Several initial skirmishes between the two opposing armies took place. The Anglo-Normans, however used every skirmish as a strategic manoeuvre designed to gain ground and push the Cypriot forces back into the city of Limassol. The majority of the Cypriot army took refuge in the Limassol Castle. This set the stage for the first major battle of the campaign and after some brutal confrontations, the Anglo-Normans would go on to overpower Komnenos defences. The subsequent capture of both Kolossi Castle, further west, and the fortified City of Nicosia, in the north, were also critical turning points that helpedto cement a Crusader victory. The battle for Nicosia also saw the capture of Komnenos banner after he fled the scene. The Anglo-Normans relentlessly continued his pursuit and eventually captured ahim along with the remnants of his army, who were eventually sold into slavery. With this, Byzantine dominion on the island came to an abrupt and sudden end.
THE DOMINION OF THE ENGLISH CROWN
Cyprus was now under the full dominion of the English crown. It soon became a focal point for the King’s Third Crusade. As well as a new source of economic resources, the island now offered both a logistical stronghold for current and future Crusader activity. The new Anglo-Norman administration integrated Cyprus into the broader framework of the Crusader states. This allowed them to maintain and strengthen a trade economy with most of Europe. The Anglo-Normans also kept in place existing eastern trade routes and the Cypriot economy began to flourish. The king, however, promptly introduced a new fuedal system of control leading to extremely unpopular taxes.
A NEW DECISIVE ADMINISTRATION
The new administration that was characterised by both decisive governance and strategic alliances was not without its challenges. A new feudal system with rights and responsibilities that mirrored Western European practices, was soon introduced. This allowed the island to align with the greater Crusader ethos of fealty and service. This new system, however, also introduced extremely high taxes. This fueled Cypriot rebellion and after several confrontations, the Anglo-Normans implemented a series of fortifications to further consolidate their power on the island. RICHARD THE LIONHEART would go on to spend the rest of the year on the island before embaring on his Third Crusade. He first celebrated his marriage to Berengaria of Navarre, who was crowned queen consort of England at the Limassol castle.
AN ISLAND OF STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE
The island’s strategic location in the Eastern Mediterranean added to its military significance in the aftermath of the invasion. Moreover, Cyprus became an essential source of supplies. This enabled the Crusaders to maintain their campaigns against Saladin and other Muslim forces in the east. Cyprus also became a refuge for both Christian knights and pilgrims heading to the Holy Land. Controlling the island also enabled the Crusaders to deny potential resources to Saladin, who in turn could have used the island as a base of operations against the Crusaders. Anglo-Norman governance facilitated their primary objective, which was to spread Western Christianity. This led to them establishing several new churches and monasteries of their own faith across the island. Despite this, the enduring impact of Byzantine culture, and religion, continued to shape the island’s identity. The Orthodox Church remained influential, ensuring the continuity of Byzantine traditions and practices in a changing political and religeous landscape on the island.
AN ANGLO-NORMAN LEGACY
RICHARD THE LIONHEART’S conquest of Cyprus in 1191 exemplifies the complexities of the Anglo-Normans and their interplay of military might, strategic foresight, and governance. His conquest of the island not only served as a tactical advantage for the greater Crusader effort, but also laid the groundwork for a lasting Crusader legacy in the region. Their subsequent rule of Cyprus marked a crucial chapter in the island’s history. This also demonstrated how the Crusader states adapted to and influenced local dynamics all over Europe at the time. The actions of the Anglo-Normans in Cyprus highlights the intricate relationship between conquest, administration, and the broader objectives of the Crusades, reminding everyone of the enduring impact of their reign within the annals of history.
