15. Le Coeur de Lion: King Richard’s Conquest of Cyprus with Angel Nicolaou-Konnari

In 1191, during the Third Crusade, King Richard I of England, also known as Richard the Lionheart, led his army to capture the island of Cyprus. The island was controlled by an illegitimate, self-styled emperor, Isaac Komnenos (Comnenus). Richard would rout Isaac's forces and, as legends have it, bind him in silver chains. The island remained under English rule until Richard sold it to the Knights Templar in 1192.  Richard's conquest of Cyprus provided a valuable base for his military operations in the Eastern Mediterranean and allowed him to resupply his troops and ships. But what exactly transpired? What were Richard's motivations? And who was this usurper, Isaac Komnenos? Today, I welcome Dr. Angel Nicolaou-Konnari from the University of Cyprus to discuss King Richard the Lionheart's Conquest of Cyprus.