Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Cyprus is one of the five richest copper-deposit areas in the world, and during the Copper and Bronze Ages,
Cyprus was one of the world's richest countries.
The Crusades
Byzantine rule may well have continued had it not been for renegade governor Isaak
Komninos, who proclaimed himself emperor of Cyprus in 1184.
On his way to the Holy Land as part of the Third Crusade, King Richard the Lionheart's
fleet met with inclement weather and was forced to dock in Lemesos. The first ship to
make port was that of the recently widowed Queen Joan of Sicily, Richard's sister, and his
fiancée, Berengaria of Navarre.
Komninos attempted to capture the royal party and hold them to ransom. King Richard
was outraged at this news and marched on Lemesos, overthrowing Komninos and seizing
control of the island. This effectively brought an end to Byzantine rule.
Komninos fled to Kantara Castle in the north, and King Richard married his queen in
Lemesos Castle's Agios Georgios chapel in 1191. To this day Cyprus is the only foreign
country to have held an English royal wedding.
Richard fell ill and stayed in Cyprus, postponing his campaign to the Holy Land. He
was joined by the French knight Guy de Lusignan, who assisted him in finishing off
Komninos. Upon Komninos' capture, he was chained in silver, instead of iron, at his
pleading.
Richard went on to conquer the entire island and stayed for a year until he was well
enough to travel. He then sold Cyprus to the Knights Templar, to boost his coffers. The
Knights ultimately were unable to afford the upkeep and, in turn, sold it to the dispos-
sessed king of Jerusalem, Guy de Lusignan, in 1192.
Even with its increasing economic expansion, the North is heavily dependent financially (and politically) on Ank-
ara - to the tune of more than US$600 million a year.
