Editing Richard I of England (section)

===Conquest of Cyprus===
{{main|Conquest of Cyprus by Richard I}}
[[File:Map Crusader states 1190-en.svg|thumb|upright=1.25|The Near East in 1190 (Cyprus in purple)]]

In April 1191, Richard left Messina for [[Acre, Israel|Acre]] with an army of 17,000 men,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Phillips |first=Jonathan |title=The Crusades, 1095–1204 |publisher=Routledge |year=2014 |edition=2nd |location=London |pages=170}}</ref> but a storm dispersed his large fleet.{{Sfn|Flori|1999f|p=131}} After some searching, it was discovered that the ship carrying his sister Joan and his new fiancée, [[Berengaria of Navarre]], was anchored on the south coast of [[Cyprus in the Middle Ages|Cyprus]], along with the wrecks of several other vessels, including the treasure ship. Survivors of the wrecks had been taken prisoner by the island's ruler, [[Isaac Komnenos of Cyprus|Isaac Komnenos]].<ref name=FloriF_132>{{Harvnb|Flori|1999f|p=132}}</ref>

On 1 May 1191, Richard's fleet arrived in the port of [[Lemesos]] on Cyprus.<ref name=FloriF_132/> He ordered Isaac to release the prisoners and treasure.<ref name=FloriF_132/> Isaac refused, so Richard landed his troops and took Lemesos.{{Sfn|Flori|1999f|pp=133–134}} Various princes of the Holy Land arrived in Lemesos at the same time, in particular [[Guy of Lusignan]]. All declared their support for Richard provided that he support Guy against his rival, [[Conrad of Montferrat]].{{Sfn|Flori|1999f|p=134}}

The local magnates abandoned Isaac, who considered making peace with Richard, joining him on the crusade, and offering [[Damsel of Cyprus|his daughter]] in marriage to the person named by Richard.{{Sfn|Flori|1999f|pp=134–136}} Isaac changed his mind, however, and tried to escape. Richard's troops, led by Guy de Lusignan, conquered the whole island by 1 June. Isaac surrendered and was confined with silver chains because Richard had promised that he would not place him in irons. Richard named [[Richard de Camville]] and [[Robert of Thornham]] as governors. He later sold the island to the master of [[Knights Templar]], [[Robert IV of Sablé|Robert de Sablé]], and it was subsequently acquired, in 1192, by Guy of Lusignan and became a stable feudal kingdom.<ref name=FloriF_137>{{Harvnb|Flori|1999f|p=137}}</ref>

The rapid conquest of the island by Richard was of strategic importance. The island occupies a key strategic position on the maritime lanes to the Holy Land, whose occupation by the Christians could not continue without support from the sea.<ref name=FloriF_137/> Cyprus remained a Christian stronghold until the [[Ottoman–Venetian War (1570–1573)|Ottoman invasion]] in 1570.<ref name=FloriF_138>{{Harvnb|Flori|1999f|p=138}}</ref> Richard's exploit was well publicised and contributed to his reputation, and he also derived significant financial gains from the conquest of the island.<ref name=FloriF_138/> Richard left Cyprus for Acre on 5 June with his allies.<ref name=FloriF_138/>