In 1191 Isaakios Komnenos was the ruler of Cyprus.

….. Isaac came to Cyprus, took it, and was proclaimed king. He ruled over it for several years, and not only utterly despoiled the land, and perpetually harassed the lives of its rich men, but every day he hounded and oppressed its nobles, so that all lived in distress, and sought how by any means they might protect themselves against him……

Richard the Lionheart organizes the first Crusade. He and his fleet were on the way to the Holy Land when one of his ships put into Limassol and his fiance Verengaria of Navarre was taken prisoner by Isaac Comnenos. Richard landed his army on the island and having looted whatever he found on his way, laid siege to Nicosia . He finally met and defeated Isaac at Tremetousia. Richard the Lionheart became ruler of the island but sold the island to the Templars.

The Knights Templars

The Templars ruled the island having bought it from Richard the Lionheart for 100.000 gold byzantiums. Their seat was the castle of Nicosia. On Easter day on the 11 th of April 1192 the people of Nicosia revolted and drove the Teplars off the city. Having driven the Templars away, fearing their return the Nicosians demolished the castle of the city almost to its foundations.