CYPRUS

RICHARD THE LIONHEART, an Interlude

Sources, see: Bibliography, Cyprus

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Note: ... Exactly at this point in time Richard appeared with his ship followed by the rest of the fleet. He himself had barely escaped being shipwrecked in the storm...

Isaac surrenders...
What were the reasons for Isaac's hostile behaviour?

Bound by a contract with Saladin, Isaac Ducas Comnenus (click here to read more about his life and death) had done his best to stop the provisions for the Franks in Syria. First of all he raised high duties and later he forbade traffic with the Syrian mainland completely. He further had remitted orders which forbade the landing of Crusaders in Cypriot harbours. Moreover, his own domestic position there was ultimately unsafe, since he had no backing in the population. It was this lack of support which essentially facilitated Richards landing and the conquest of the island.

When Isaac saw that Richard's forces were beginning to land (probably at Amathus, at this period evidently the principal port and capital of the island) and subsequently move in the direction of Lemesos (Limassol), he had the city evacuated. Then he moved with his troops into the foot-hills of the Troodos mountain range, situated north of the town. Richard was in fact given a welcome by the Latin merchants of the city who made it known to him that the population which had remained in the city was ready to accept him as their new ruler. Thereupon he gave orders that in no way was the population to be bothered, and for the camp to be set up outside the city's walls.

A few days after the landing, Richard sent messengers (May 11, 1191) to Isaac who transmitted the King's wish for a meeting. After safe conduct had been guaranteed to Isaac, the meeting of the two took place near Colossi. At this meeting Richard tried to persuade Isaac to take part in the Crusade. But Isaac, who evidently was only interested in collecting information about the strength of Richard's troops as well as about his further plans, made all kinds of promises and subsequently fled back to his troops that very same night. From there he sent a letter to Richard requesting him to leave the island immediately.

Richard, who was not impressed, immediately landed all his horses which until then had stayed on board the ships. Then he attacked Isaac's camp and conquered it, thus gaining considerable booty. When he returned to Lemesos he could welcome (May 11, 1191) a group of barons from Syria (including King Guy de Lusignan, Geoffrey de Lusignan, one of Richard's more important vassals, Bohemond of Antioch) who were accompanied by 160 knights (including a number of Templars). The most important amongst them was without any doubt Guy de Lusignan, who had come to ask Richard to support his claim to the crown of Jerusalem.
On Sunday, May 12 (being the feast of SS. Nereus, Achilleus and Pancratius), 1191 Richard and Berengaria, Princess of Navarre, were married in the St. George chapel of Lemesos (Limassol, Limeszun). Nicholas, the King's chaplain performed the office of this sacrament. She was crowned by John, the Bishop of Evreux (in the presence of the Archbishops of Apamea and Auch, the Bishop of Bayonne and many others) as Queen of England. Richard's mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, who had held a pivotal role in the Second Crusade, and who had selected Richard's bride, was sent home to assist her son John rule England in Richard's absence after the wedding. Berengaria's chaperone was Richard's sister, Joanna (who had until a short while before been the Dowager Queen of Sicily). Berengaria and Joanna had traveled together all the way from Europe; it was said that they became very good friends, "like two doves in a cage". Main source: Benedict of Peterborough 'Gesta Ricardi I', Rolls series, Vol. II., p. 173).
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