Editing 1156 (section)

==== Levant ====
* Spring &ndash; [[Raynald of Châtillon]], prince of [[Principality of Antioch|Antioch]], makes an alliance with [[Thoros II, Prince of Armenia|Thoros II]] ('''the Great'''), ruler of [[Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia|Armenian Cilicia]]. He invades [[Cyprus]] and conducts a widespread plundering of the Byzantine island.<ref>Ghazarian, Jacob G. (2000). ''The Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia during the Crusades: The Integration of Cilician Armenians with the Latins (1080–1393''. Routledge Curzon (Taylor & Francis Group), 2000, Abingdon. {{ISBN|0-7007-1418-9}}.</ref> The Crusaders and the Armenian forces march up and down the island robbing and pillaging every building, church and convent as well as shops and private houses. The crops are burnt; the herds are rounded up – together with all the population – and driven down to the coast. The massacre lasts about three weeks; on the rumor of a Byzantine fleet in the offing, Raynald gives the order for embarkation. The Crusader ships are loaded with booty, and every Cypriot is forced to ransom himself.<ref>Runciman, Steven (1952). ''A History of The Crusades. Vol II: The Kingdom of Jerusalem'', p. 283. {{ISBN|978-0-241-29876-3}}.</ref>