Isaac Komnenos of Cyprus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Issac Komnenos |
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Tetarteron coin minted in Isaac's name in Cyprus
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| Emperor of Cyprus | |
| Reign | 1184 – 1191 |
| Predecessor | Andronikos I Komnenos (as Byzantine Emperor) |
| Successor | Guy of Lusignan (as King of Cyprus) |
| Born | 1155 |
| Died | 1196 (age c. 41) Sultanate of Rum (now in Turkey) |
| Consort | Unnamed Armenian princess |
| House | Komnenos |
| Mother | Irene Komnene |
| Religion | Roman Orthodox |
Isaac Doukas Komnenos (born around 1155, died 1195 or 1196) was an important figure in the history of Cyprus. He was a powerful ruler who claimed to be the emperor of the island from 1184 to 1191. During his time, many people called him the "Emperor of Cyprus." However, he eventually lost control of Cyprus to King Richard I of England, also known as Richard the Lionheart. This happened during a big historical event called the Third Crusade.
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Isaac's Early Life
Most of what we know about Isaac's life comes from a Byzantine historian named Niketas Choniates. Isaac was related to the powerful Komnenos family, who ruled the Byzantine Empire. His mother was Irene Komnene.
Governor and Prisoner
Isaac Komnenos married an Armenian princess from Cyprus. He was made governor of a region called Isauria and the town of Tarsus. While there, he started a war against the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia. Armenian soldiers captured him during this conflict.
The Byzantine Emperor at the time, Manuel I Komnenos, died in 1180. After his death, it seemed no one paid much attention to Isaac's capture. He stayed in prison for a long time. Because his wife was an Armenian princess, his time in captivity might not have been too harsh.
In 1183, Isaac's aunt, Theodora Komnene, helped arrange his release. She worked with the new Byzantine Emperor, Andronikos I Komnenos. Some of Isaac's relatives and even the Knights Templar helped pay for his freedom. His relatives promised the Emperor that Isaac would remain loyal.
From Prison to Cyprus
In 1185, the Armenians finally released Isaac. He used the money left over from his ransom to hire soldiers. He then sailed to Cyprus. There, he showed fake letters from the Emperor. These letters ordered the local leaders to obey him. This way, Isaac made himself the ruler of the island.
Because Isaac did not return to serve the Emperor, Andronikos I Komnenos was very angry. He ordered Isaac's relatives, who had promised Isaac's loyalty, to be arrested. The Emperor feared Isaac might try to take his throne. These relatives were later killed.
Meanwhile, Isaac hired many people from the Byzantine Empire to work for him. He even created his own religious leader for Cyprus. This leader crowned Isaac as Emperor in 1185.
After Emperor Andronikos I died in 1185, Isaac II Angelos became the new Byzantine Emperor. He sent a large fleet of 70 ships to take Cyprus back from Isaac. However, a pirate named Margaritus of Brindisi, who worked for the King of Sicily, captured the Byzantine ships. Isaac, or more likely Margaritus, defeated the Byzantine soldiers on Cyprus. The Byzantine commanders were captured and taken to Sicily.
Ruling Cyprus
After becoming Emperor, Isaac began to rule Cyprus very strictly. He punished people harshly and took their belongings. Some wealthy Cypriots became poor and had to beg for food.
Historians describe Isaac as a quick-tempered and sometimes violent ruler. He was known for getting angry easily. Isaac made alliances with powerful leaders like the King of Sicily and Saladin, the Sultan of Egypt and Syria. These alliances helped him keep control of Cyprus during his reign.
The Third Crusade and Cyprus
In 1189, King Richard I of England, known as Richard the Lionheart, began the Third Crusade. This was a major journey to the Holy Land.
Richard the Lionheart Arrives
In early 1191, Richard's fiancée, Berengaria of Navarre, and his sister, Joan of England, were traveling by ship. Their ship was wrecked near Cyprus. Isaac Komnenos then took them captive.
In response, King Richard conquered Cyprus while he was on his way to Tyre. It is said that Isaac even shot two arrows at Richard from horseback!
The English captured Isaac near Cape Apostolos Andreas on the northern tip of Cyprus. Legend says that Richard had promised not to put Isaac in iron chains. So, he kept Isaac prisoner in chains made of silver instead! The English then gave Isaac to the Knights Hospitaller, who kept him in a prison near Tripoli.
This event changed Cyprus forever. It led to the creation of the Kingdom of Cyprus, which ruled the island for many centuries.
Later, when King Richard returned to England, he gave the town of Portsmouth a special gift. He gave them Isaac Komnenos' coat of arms as their own symbol. This was to honor the soldiers and sailors from Portsmouth who helped conquer Cyprus. This symbol is still on Portsmouth's flag today.
Isaac's Final Years
After the Third Crusade, King Richard was captured by a duke in Austria. As part of the agreement to free Richard, Isaac and his daughter were released into the care of Leopold V, Duke of Austria. Leopold was a distant relative of Isaac.
Isaac then traveled to the Sultanate of Rum, a powerful kingdom in what is now Turkey. He tried to get their support against the new Byzantine Emperor, Alexios III Angelos. However, his plans did not succeed. Isaac died in 1195 or 1196, possibly from poisoning.
Isaac's Daughter
Isaac's daughter is not named in historical records. She is usually called the "Damsel of Cyprus." After her father was captured, she joined King Richard the Lionheart's court. She traveled back to England with Richard's sister and his new wife.
In 1194, as part of King Richard's ransom deal, the Cypriot princess was released. She was placed in the care of Leopold of Austria.
Later, she lived in a region called Provence. In 1199, she met Joan, King Richard's sister, again. After Joan died, the princess from Cyprus married Joan's husband, Raymond VI. However, this marriage was later ended. In 1203, she married Thierry of Flanders.
In 1204, the couple sailed to Cyprus. They tried to claim the island as Isaac's heirs. But their attempt failed, and they had to flee to Armenia.
Images for kids
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Cape Andreas, where Isaac is said to have been taken prisoner by the Crusaders
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