Alright guys here is my first tl. I am new to Alt history so be kind. Anyway what this POD is that in otl after the death of Manuel Cyprus became a rogue principality, led by Isaakios Komnenos. In this POD Cyprus is not taken by Richard. Without further ado I present to you the wondrous, (Eventually inbred and crazy) Family of the Komnenians. I hope their misadventures through Europe let them live for another day. The Little Principality that fought back. Let the misadventures begin
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Humph welcome fellow readers. My name is Isaakios Komnenos. The year is 1191. Did you know we at one point ruled a massive empire? But because of my stupid cousin Andronikos we Komennians have been reduced to a petty island. Besides I envy that idiot Angelos. Seriously I feel he makes buffoons look sane. Anyway I find it boring on this island. Plus from what I hear a new crusade has been called. Some guy named Richard is leading it. He is for some reason I heard stopping at Cyprus. Humph that crusader thinks he can take my Island I will not let him. Why cause I am the great Prince. This Richard is a nobody.” Suddenly a minister interrupts Isaacs’s rant to the court.
“ Umm. My lord have you had a bit too much to drink.”
“ Ahh shut up Alexius”
“ But my lord you've drunk too much, should you.”
“ I said be quiet or ill kill you. Listen what am I too do when this so-called crusader is planning to lead a massive force against me. It is unfair why should I release his prisoners.”
“ My lord he will easily destroy us so please just release the prisoners and offer the supplies do you want to rule or not.”
“ Ahh good Alexius you are correct I should release the treasure and the prisoners, if I do maybe that Richard will let me go.”
“ Yes my lord he will leave this island in peace. So please release the prisoners. AN release his fiancée and sister, what were you thinking”
“ Very well Alexius get too it immediately what are you waiting for. Now!!!!!!” Alexius the minister fled with the orders. Then in a booming voice Isaac shouted to his servant standing next to him “ Ahh get me another casket of wine.” The Servant stuttered
“ But… my lord haven’t you had enough.”
“ What!! Enough no I haven’t now get me the wine or ill flay you.”
Suddenly Isaacs’s daughter intervened. She had been watching the whole spectacle from afar. She was known as the damsel of Cyprus and she had vehemently opposed the capture of Richard’s Fiancée and wife. She looked at him with pleading eyes.
“ Oh papa” She said in a singsong voice “ I beg you please stop the drinking become your normal self, I beg of you for your daughter.”
Isaac’s heart melted and he calmed down. He then wept “ Oh what I have done a pity a pity.” He then turned to the courtiers “ People of the court I am very sorry for what I have done. Let us resume business.”
In 1191 Isaakios returned to Richard, Richard’s sister and fiancée. He also paid compensation and promised Richard support in his crusade in return for Richard sparing the Island. Richard satiated spared Cyprus and left for the holy land. Cyprus was at last saved. But wait trouble brewed. Chiefly led by his daughter.
Now you see Anastasia Komnene was a beautiful damsel in Cyprus. She had many men under her control. Unlike her father she was cunning and smart. But she had a brother Alexius. Who was the heir apparent? Should he die she would become Heiress. Her charms had won many men to her side and she used them for her own personal gain.
Anastasia was also an avid stateswoman and politician. For now little else happened. Throughout the periods from 1191-1200 Isaakios Komnenos ruled Cyprus. He built roads, established a standing army, and utilized his resources to build the Cypriot navy. Isaakios knew that as an island nation, naval ships were more important than actual soldiers. He built many ports and encouraged trade with he other med powers.
However on January 6th 1200 Isaac died. You see he had been a very hard drinker. Some days he would drink whole gallons of beer and wine. So his liver was completely destroyed and he died a painful death. On his deathbed he suffered the worst shock, the death of his son and the cackling face of his pretty daughter Anastasia.
1200:The two siblings Alexius and Anastasia were called into the room where Isaac lay.
“ Ahh my children, I am suffering greatly. The doctors know not what the cause of my death is. So when I die Alexius my son please you must be Despot. Rule wisely. Oh and.”
“ Wait what why does my idiot of a brother become the Despot. I thought I would be the Despotess” Alexius laughed
“ Sorry Anastasia you’re a woman. Woman shouldn’t interfere in men matters right Papa.” Isaac smiled
“ Yes my son, he turned to Anastasia, my dear you see you are a woman I know I promised that you would become despotess but sadly it was a lie.”
Anastasia grew furious and laughed wildly. “ You mean all I was taught was just for me to get married and have children and not become despotess.” Alexius laughed and Isaac shook his head. Anastasia grew angry and then she withdrew a dagger. Alexius was shocked.
“ Hey sis you know I was joking right.”
“ Oh yes dear brother I know you were joking” Suddenly Anastasia stabbed Alexius and slit his throat. Isaac looked upon the scene with horror.” No it can’t be you witch”
Anastasia turned around and gave a piercing look at her father “ of course old man, now die for me please.” She slit him in his bed and Isaac died. Meanwhile the servant watched all of this with horror and was about to run when the bloody Anastasia stopped him. “ You will not tell anyone what occurred here tonight. It is midnight and I will pay you a lot of money and give you a big position in my court so please take away these bodies and take this dagger. She coaxed him with a catlike purr. I will do wonderful things for you.”
The servant grew intoxicated and agreed. Soon he took the dagger and gave Anastasia a new pair of clothes. Once clean Anastasia shouted, “ Help my papa and son are dead. They were killed by this mad servant.” The servant grew shocked
“ What I thought you would make me happy.”
Anastasia grinned wickedly” Sorry servant but it is goodbye. I can’t let any witnesses live.” Soon the guards came in and the crying servant was executed. Meanwhile Anastasia who had always managed to copy her father’s handwriting forged a will. On January 15th Anastasia became Anastasia I Komnenos the despotess of Cyprus. She married a prominent noble who became her prince consort. She was a woman who became despotess and survived because of her good charms that wooed the men of the court into doing favors for her.
Another factor of Cyprus survival was the fact that Isaak played on the good side with the crusaders. He funded and supported them. Thus his Despot was spared. It also helped he had a navy to defend his island. Plus he gave out deals to the Italians so they would not interfere with his state.
The Prince Isaakios Komnenos the fat
Humph welcome fellow readers. My name is Isaakios Komnenos. The year is 1191. Did you know we at one point ruled a massive empire? But because of my stupid cousin Andronikos we Komennians have been reduced to a petty island. Besides I envy that idiot Angelos. Seriously I feel he makes buffoons look sane. Anyway I find it boring on this island. Plus from what I hear a new crusade has been called. Some guy named Richard is leading it. He is for some reason I heard stopping at Cyprus. Humph that crusader thinks he can take my Island I will not let him. Why cause I am the great Prince. This Richard is a nobody.” Suddenly a minister interrupts Isaacs’s rant to the court.
“ Umm. My lord have you had a bit too much to drink.”
“ Ahh shut up Alexius”
“ But my lord you've drunk too much, should you.”
“ I said be quiet or ill kill you. Listen what am I too do when this so-called crusader is planning to lead a massive force against me. It is unfair why should I release his prisoners.”
“ My lord he will easily destroy us so please just release the prisoners and offer the supplies do you want to rule or not.”
“ Ahh good Alexius you are correct I should release the treasure and the prisoners, if I do maybe that Richard will let me go.”
“ Yes my lord he will leave this island in peace. So please release the prisoners. AN release his fiancée and sister, what were you thinking”
“ Very well Alexius get too it immediately what are you waiting for. Now!!!!!!” Alexius the minister fled with the orders. Then in a booming voice Isaac shouted to his servant standing next to him “ Ahh get me another casket of wine.” The Servant stuttered
“ But… my lord haven’t you had enough.”
“ What!! Enough no I haven’t now get me the wine or ill flay you.”
Suddenly Isaacs’s daughter intervened. She had been watching the whole spectacle from afar. She was known as the damsel of Cyprus and she had vehemently opposed the capture of Richard’s Fiancée and wife. She looked at him with pleading eyes.
“ Oh papa” She said in a singsong voice “ I beg you please stop the drinking become your normal self, I beg of you for your daughter.”
Isaac’s heart melted and he calmed down. He then wept “ Oh what I have done a pity a pity.” He then turned to the courtiers “ People of the court I am very sorry for what I have done. Let us resume business.”
In 1191 Isaakios returned to Richard, Richard’s sister and fiancée. He also paid compensation and promised Richard support in his crusade in return for Richard sparing the Island. Richard satiated spared Cyprus and left for the holy land. Cyprus was at last saved. But wait trouble brewed. Chiefly led by his daughter.
Now you see Anastasia Komnene was a beautiful damsel in Cyprus. She had many men under her control. Unlike her father she was cunning and smart. But she had a brother Alexius. Who was the heir apparent? Should he die she would become Heiress. Her charms had won many men to her side and she used them for her own personal gain.
Anastasia was also an avid stateswoman and politician. For now little else happened. Throughout the periods from 1191-1200 Isaakios Komnenos ruled Cyprus. He built roads, established a standing army, and utilized his resources to build the Cypriot navy. Isaakios knew that as an island nation, naval ships were more important than actual soldiers. He built many ports and encouraged trade with he other med powers.
However on January 6th 1200 Isaac died. You see he had been a very hard drinker. Some days he would drink whole gallons of beer and wine. So his liver was completely destroyed and he died a painful death. On his deathbed he suffered the worst shock, the death of his son and the cackling face of his pretty daughter Anastasia.
1200:The two siblings Alexius and Anastasia were called into the room where Isaac lay.
“ Ahh my children, I am suffering greatly. The doctors know not what the cause of my death is. So when I die Alexius my son please you must be Despot. Rule wisely. Oh and.”
“ Wait what why does my idiot of a brother become the Despot. I thought I would be the Despotess” Alexius laughed
“ Sorry Anastasia you’re a woman. Woman shouldn’t interfere in men matters right Papa.” Isaac smiled
“ Yes my son, he turned to Anastasia, my dear you see you are a woman I know I promised that you would become despotess but sadly it was a lie.”
Anastasia grew furious and laughed wildly. “ You mean all I was taught was just for me to get married and have children and not become despotess.” Alexius laughed and Isaac shook his head. Anastasia grew angry and then she withdrew a dagger. Alexius was shocked.
“ Hey sis you know I was joking right.”
“ Oh yes dear brother I know you were joking” Suddenly Anastasia stabbed Alexius and slit his throat. Isaac looked upon the scene with horror.” No it can’t be you witch”
Anastasia turned around and gave a piercing look at her father “ of course old man, now die for me please.” She slit him in his bed and Isaac died. Meanwhile the servant watched all of this with horror and was about to run when the bloody Anastasia stopped him. “ You will not tell anyone what occurred here tonight. It is midnight and I will pay you a lot of money and give you a big position in my court so please take away these bodies and take this dagger. She coaxed him with a catlike purr. I will do wonderful things for you.”
The servant grew intoxicated and agreed. Soon he took the dagger and gave Anastasia a new pair of clothes. Once clean Anastasia shouted, “ Help my papa and son are dead. They were killed by this mad servant.” The servant grew shocked
“ What I thought you would make me happy.”
Anastasia grinned wickedly” Sorry servant but it is goodbye. I can’t let any witnesses live.” Soon the guards came in and the crying servant was executed. Meanwhile Anastasia who had always managed to copy her father’s handwriting forged a will. On January 15th Anastasia became Anastasia I Komnenos the despotess of Cyprus. She married a prominent noble who became her prince consort. She was a woman who became despotess and survived because of her good charms that wooed the men of the court into doing favors for her.
Another factor of Cyprus survival was the fact that Isaak played on the good side with the crusaders. He funded and supported them. Thus his Despot was spared. It also helped he had a navy to defend his island. Plus he gave out deals to the Italians so they would not interfere with his state.