Amalric, Prince of Tyre

Amalric, Prince of Tyre (c. 1272 – June 5, 1310, Nicosia) was the son of Hugh III of Cyprus and Isabella of Ibelin. He escaped the sieges of Tripoli, where he had commanded Cypriote reinforcements, and was made Constable of Jerusalem in April 1289. He had command of the Accursed Tower at the siege of Acre in 1291, and escaped the fall of the Kingdom of Jerusalem with his brother, King Henry.

Related Topics:
1272 - June 5 - 1310 - Nicosia - Hugh III of Cyprus - Tripoli - 1289 - Acre - 1291 - Kingdom of Jerusalem - King Henry

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Henry was unpopular in Cyprus, and with the aid of the Templars and some of the barons, Amalric assumed the titles of Governor and Regent on April 26, 1306. The overthrow was not violent; Henry had few supporters, and he was whisked away and confined at Strovolos.

Related Topics:
Templars - April 26 - 1306 - Strovolos

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Amalric's rule was initially popular. He repaired relations with Venice, Genoa, and the Hospitallers. Through his marriage to Isabella of Armenia, he also enjoyed close ties with Armenia. However, he was compelled to obey the Papal directive to arrest the Templars when that order was suppressed, which resulted in a small uprising in favor of Henry in January 1308. It quickly collapsed, but Amalric was forced to arrest a number of nobles, including Rupen of Montfort, John of Dampierre, and various members of the Ibelin family. In April, two of the Ibelins were exiled to Armenia, and John of Dampierre was mortally wounded by a mob after attempting to communicate with King Henry. In February 1310, Amalric sent Henry into exile in Armenia. Anticipating the presence of Crusaders bound for Rhodes to aid the Hospitallers in conquering the island, Amalric was desperately nervous about his status, which he had never been able to regularize with the Papacy. He was suddenly murdered by Simon of Montolif on June 5, 1310. While the timing of the murder was certainly suspicious, there is no overt evidence to indicate that it was the result of a conspiracy rather than a private quarrel.

Related Topics:
Venice - Genoa - Hospitallers - Isabella of Armenia - Armenia - 1308 - Ibelin - 1310 - Rhodes

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On his death, his brother Aimery was proclaimed Governor of Nicosia; but he was soon defeated and imprisoned, and Henry restored to his throne.

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