A COMPREHENSIVE HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
THE ENDING OF AN ERA OF BYZANTINE RULE
The Byzantine rule of Cyprus came to an abrupt and violent end when Richard I of England, also known as RICHARD THE LIONHEART, landed on the island in 1191. Although his subsequent invasion of the island proved beneficial, this brief and brutal episode in the island’s history has raised several questions regarding the motives behind the conquest. Many have suggested that this Crusader campaign was a strategic conquest of necessity by a competent military leader. Others, however, have recorded it as an accident of circumstance, as it did not really fit into Crusader rhetoric. One thing, however, that most agree on is that it changed the island dramatically thereafter.
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 restore Christendom’s foothold in the East. This would see King Richard, seen as one of the most formidable military leaders of his time, join forces with King Philip II of France and Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa of the Holy Roman Empire.
ISAAC KOMNENOS
Cyprus in 1191 was under the tyrannical rule of ISAAC KOMNENOS. This self-imposed ruler had seized power amid political instability, following the decline of Byzantine authority on the island. His rule was at times tyrannical and often brutal, so it came as no surprise when he did not take kindly to the Anglo-Normans’ arrival on his island. The Crusaders sought refuge in Cyprus after a storm forced some of their fleet towards the coast of Limassol. Komnenos, instead of providing refuge, ordered his forces to plunder treasure from wrecked Crusader ships. He also took several prisoners, and the ship carrying the future Queen of England, Berengaria of Navarre, was effectively blockaded in the 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 near Limassol, set about establishing a military base. This was against the explicit wishes of Komnenos, who soon retaliated with several attacks that were easily repelled by the far superior Crusader forces. The latter went on to besiege the Limassol Castle after capturing the whole region. This came after they reduced the once great City of Amathus to rubble after it was plundered. The Crusaders were then ordered to take control of the entire island, and a brutal war ensued against all who stood against them.
A SERIES OF STRATEGIC MANOEUVRES
Several initial skirmishes between the two opposing armies took place. The Anglo-Normans, however, used each battle as a strategic manoeuvre. Each was designed to gain ground and then push the Cypriot forces back into the city of Limassol. The majority of the Cypriot army then took refuge in the Limassol Castle, setting the stage for the first major battle of the campaign. After some brutal confrontations, the Crusaders went on to overpower Komnenos’ forces. The subsequent capture of both Kolossi Castle, further west, and the fortified City of Nicosia, in the north, were also critical turning points that helped to cement the overall Crusader victory. The battle for Nicosia also saw the capture of the KOMNENOS banner. The Crusaders relentlessly continued their pursuit of KOMNENOS, after he fled the scene, eventually capturing him along with the remnants of his army in the east of the island. His remaining men were sold into slavery, and KOMNENOS was held prisoner for the remainder of his life. With this, the Byzantine dominion of Cyprus 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 went about integrating Cyprus into the broader framework of the Crusader states. This allowed them to maintain and strengthen a trade economy with most of Western Europe. They also kept in place existing eastern trade routes, and the Cypriot economy soon began to flourish again. Although all seemed to go well at first, the new administration promptly introduced a new feudal system that led to extremely unpopular taxes. This proved extremely difficult to administer and led to a virtual civil war thereafter.
A NEW DECISIVE ADMINISTRATION
The Anglo-Norman administration on the island, which was characterised by both decisive governance and strategic alliances, came with its own complex challenges. They wanted to align the island with the greater Crusader ethos of fealty and service, and they did this by promptly introducing several Western European practices along with the new feudal system. Although several new rights and responsibilities were soon established, it still ultimately proved unpopular with most Cypriots. The extremely high taxes that followed soon led to a Cypriot rebellion. 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 putting down several rebellions, before finally embarking on his Third Crusade. He also celebrated his marriage to Berengaria of Navarre, who was crowned queen consort of England at the Limassol castle.
AN ISLAND OF STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE
The strategic location in the Eastern Mediterranean of Cyprus, which was already an essential source of supplies, added military significance to the island that the Crusaders took full advantage of. 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. Several new churches and monasteries of Latin-based Christianity were established across the island. Despite this, the enduring impact of Byzantine culture, including the Christian Orthodox 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 religious 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. Their subsequent rule in Cyprus went on to mark a crucial chapter in the island’s history. Their conquest of the island served as a tactical advantage for the greater Crusader effort. This also laid the groundwork for a lasting Crusader legacy in the region. 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.
