Amalric II consolidates Crusader Cyprus

1201

The Lusignan king of Cyprus and Jerusalem strengthened his double kingdom by diplomacy with Aleppo and the Italian maritime republics. Cyprus, safer than Acre, became the chief Frankish refuge in the eastern Mediterranean and a hub of sugar, silk, and wine production. Its feudal estates drew settlers from across the crumbling Latin states, creating a hybrid culture of French lords and Greek peasants.