Isaac Comnenos

From a saint of Cypriot history to a villain – the story of Isaac Comnenos is of starkest contrast to that of Neophytos ‘the Recluse’.

Isaac Comnenos was the ruler of Cyprus from 1184 – 1191. However, history remembers neither his rule nor his life favourably. Born into a noble family in c.1155, Isaac was made governor of Isauria in present-day eastern Turkey by the Emperor Manuel in 1179.  This was not a position Isaac earned the right to, but the fortunate result of family connections.  But, within the first year of holding this position, Isaac had started a war with the Armenian Kingdom of Cicilia.

The coat of arms belonging to Isaac Comnenos

The exact cause of the war remains somewhat unclear, but Isaac was swiftly captured and spent the following six years in prison.  Such a significant period of imprisonment suggests that the fate of Isaac was not one in receipt of much support, and was certainly unaided by the death of his only supporter, Emperor Manuel, in 1180.  However, Isaac’s marriage to an Armenian princess permits speculation that his imprisonment may not have been one of the harshest.

Much like his promotion to governor, Isaac’s freedom came as the result of his family’s high connections.  The majority of his ransom was collected by his aunt, Theodora Comnene – who was perhaps somewhat conveniently having an affair with the new Byzantine Emperor, Andronkios I Konmenos – thus also managing to persuade the Emperor to contribute to the ransom as well.

Upon his freedom, Isaac was commanded to return to Isauria.  But this did not occur.  Clearly tired of Imperial service, Isaac hired a troop of mercenaries and sailed to Cyprus, where he established himself as the sole ruler of the island, usurping the throne.

Isaac’s time on Cyprus leaves the pages of history filled with despair, blood and violence.  It is recorded that he had the foot of his former teacher hacked off for allegedly working the young Isaac too hard. One contemporary chronicler, Niketas Choniates, states that Isaac spent his days as king ‘raping women and defiling virgins…imposing the harshest penalties for stealing.’ Choniates goes so far as to say that ‘Cypriots of high esteem, comparable to Job in riches now were seen begging in the streets, naked and hungry, if they were not put to the sword by this petulant tyrant.’ Under Isaac’s rule, murder was a daily occurrence, famine overwhelmed the island and those living with a roof over their heads were considered wealthy.

Isaac Comnenos ‘dressed as a tyrant, not a ruler’ – Niketas Choniates, 1190.

Several attempts were made the remove Isaac from the throne of Cyprus.  The first came from the third Byzantine Emperor of Isaac’s lifetime – the young and vibrant Isaac II Angelos.  Angelos raised a fleet of 70 ships and sent them to attack the island.  Fortunately for Isaac they were met just offshore by Margaritone of Brindisi, a pirate in the service of King William II of Sicily (1166–1189), who captured the ships and took them for himself.

The second, more successful attack came out of the blue from an unexpected source.  In 1191, the Queen consort of England, Berengaria of Navarre, wife of Richard ‘the Lionheart’, and his sister Joan were shipwrecked off the coast of Cyprus en route to the Holy Land.  Either hoping to secure a large ransom for their release, or not fully comprehending the true rank of the travellers, Isaac was foolish enough to capture and imprison both women.

In retaliation, Richard ‘the Lionheart’ made an unscheduled landing on Cyprus, conquering the entire island in a matter of weeks.  Isaac tried to seek shelter in his castle fortress at St. Hilarion, but Richard soon caught up with him.  The mountainside castle remains a tourist hotspot to this day – its astounding structure a true testament to the genius of Byzantine architects.  The journey for both men up the side of the mountain must have been a challenging feat, not only battling the heat of the height of summer, but the vertical cliff-faces and supremely engineered attacks of the approaching English contingent. These were futile; indeed, Richard and his small army must have appeared so ferocious to the Cypriots stationed at St. Hilarion surrendered the castle before a single blow could be exchanged.

Doubtless regretting his choice of hideout and according to popular legend, Isaac begged not to be put in irons.  Richard agreed, and instead – humorously for a hero of history – had shackles made of gold and silver to put on him instead.  Isaac was kept imprisoned in Margat, Italy, but for a short period only.  In a twisted turn of fate, Richard ‘the Lionheart’ was captured by Leopold V, Duke of Austria upon his return from the Third Crusade.  As part of Richard’s ransom agreement, Isaac and his daughter were permitted to go free – Isaac’s noble family once again having friends in high places to help one another in times of strife: Leopold and Isaac being cousins – Leopold the son of the aforementioned Theodora Comnene.

Isaac attempted to use his returned freedom to gain the favour of a fourth new Byzantine Emperor Alexios III Angelos (1195-1203), but failed to get far.  He was killed late in 1195, poisoned as he ate his dinner in the supposed safety of his own home.  Isaac’s daughter attempted to reclaim the throne of Cyprus on behalf of her father, but the Comnenos influence on the island was finally ended.

 

© B. Huggett March 2014