Four: Reign of Jean IV (1474-97)
King of Cyprus, King of Jerusalem, King of Armenia
In spite of death of last King, the dream of conquering Crete are still very alive in the heart of new King who bore the same name and indeed, same abilities. While ever poor King waiting for enough coins to gather in always empty Treasury’s strong room, the craftsmen finally re-learn the lost ability to build small fort.
At the new year of 1475, King finally ordered a new galley to protect Lempa. It still took six month to build it. However, barely a month later, merchants of different ideas in regards to trade clashed and small factions supporting either cause would emerge causing ruptures. Jean IV was most displeased seeing private feuds fought between merchant houses stepped in and supported mercantilist faction by simply exiling free-trade merchants to sea.
At last, the war galley was completed during the height of summer. Jean named it Pomos after his dog. He got his own fleet, now he needs an army. It took three years to gather enough precious coins for it. He decided to hire Yaya Infantry instead of his own people. He organized a separate standing army of hired mercenaries paid by salary; most of them are Christian soldiers.
Finally in the eyes of Jean on 1 March 1477, everything was ready, the army and fleet are ready when suddenly a great man, Jean Tocco has died. Court was in mourning for man who masterminded the government of Cyprus. In Jean’s honor, the King went aboard his fleet and sailed to Sea of Crete along with his army which he leading personally.
During that journey, the grand Duchy of Lithuania inherited Kingdom of Poland, Jean IV sighed as he knew that no one outside his family will be ever inherit it. The law forbids any member of Royal Family to marry outside. Back at Cyprus, educated people once again found more way to improve trade tariffs.
On their arrival, what Jean seen made him smiled, several fleets of Venetian ships stood outside Crete in revenge that Crete still embargoed Venice. As far he can see and his spies report, Crete has no army to defend themselves, in spite of rumors from Cyprus that Kings’ desire to conquer Crete. With the fleet in sight of Crete and army aboard them, King Jean IV sent a small message to Crete’s ruler that they are at war with the great Kingdom of Cyprus. People back in Cyprus grumbled that King act without cause of war.
On 17th April, the King’s Army laid siege to Heraklion, capital of Crete. On 14th September, the Crete finally fell to Jean but the fleet of Crete fled and straight into unprepared fleet with no real leader. The galley was destroyed and Lempa was only survivor of the battle while enemy fleet suffered no losses. Incensed with his loss of galley he paid for; he got the ruler of Crete and executed him in front of the whole army.
The war is over with recognition of Jean’s rule over Crete, leaving King’s Army in Crete to ensure any insurgences will be crushed; Jean went home with a hero’s welcoming on 1st November 1477. His eyes swelled up with tears as he glanced at brand new map with Crete same color as Cyprus.
He got back into business hiring new man called, “Ulug Muhammad Qutughqan” With such a long name, no doubt he will be able to handle complex matters of government. New merchants were thrown at Andalusia to ensure same level of trade like at Vlaanderen and Lübeck.
Some years later, shipwrights now know how to build a type of ship called Barque but Jean have no desire to build any more ship after losing his own pet, Pomos. As matter of fact, he wants to keep going and attack island of Rhodes so he can rule the western Mediterranean Sea but the loss of his ship prevented that dream into reality.
However, the landed gentry see a chance to improve their own income and presented on October 1584, a plan that will increase taxes by building a workshop in Cyprus. Jean refused to build it since he doesn’t have any coins to spare. A notable event occurred on end of the year in France with inheritance of Lorraine by King of France extending inroad into Holy Roman Empire. Finally after long hard fight in Andalusia, Cypriot merchants finally gained control of the trade in it.
With Crete bought into power of the King of Cyprus, Jean decided to improve on naval policy once more like his father. However, he is feeling his age and once again desire to see Rhodes annexed, hearing the news that Rhodes do not have any forces on the island itself in spite of large navy in the port. Knowing he might be doomed, he then declares war upon the Knights Hospitaller of Rhodes. On first February of 1486, he led his force onto the island itself. Lempa learned the lesson from her battle with Crete fled to Crete a mere hours after King landed. The surprise attack have led Rhodes to garrison their walls and asks for aid from it allies, Teutonic Order and Wurzburg. Happily for the King, these realms are too far away to send any real forces although it amuses Jean to see declaration of war from these allies. After 221 days of siege, Jean was faithful to core and instead of mercilessly kill every Knight on the island; he let them go with honor to the west. On 8th September 1486, the island of Rhodes is part of the Kingdom of Cyprus. Barely a month later, seeing that Rhodes fallen, her allies made peace with her. His dream is satisfied, the only thing left to do for her Kingdom is to return and reclaim her true honor as Kingdom of Jerusalem.
With peace returned to Kingdom among all instability in all three islands, King attempts to maintain trading links as other states attack Cypresses merchants ruthlessly as if in revenge for wiping out the Order. A fleet from Teutonic Order arrived, no doubt to prepare for invasion for when the truce expired. In spite of Jean’s love to go out and give sound beating, he is no fool and merely content to watch them.
The year of 1489 was an exceptional yearn with excellent business environment, good harvests were once in a while a blessing for the Kingdom’s tax base; generating higher income for the realm. Jean decided to take advantages of these benefits at once with spending it on workshops in Cyprus and Crete. Two years later, shipwrights also advanced their ability enough to build a Caravel. So many things Jean would love to build and no money! Another two years, Kingdom of Cyprus has access to same troops as other Eastern powers such as Azab Infantry which Jean upgraded to it with irregular light infantry based on Rhodes to ensure they stay at peace.
Ulug Muhammad Qutughqan sadly died from stress and old age in 1494 and merchants kicked out at alarming rate, trade tariffs lessen as they faced with pure reality, war is bad for trade. Finally, after 23 years of ruling, King Jean finally died, happy in knowledge that he conquered other two islands in her sea. One day, ruler of Cyprus will reclaim her ancient birthright. Jacques II, rose to the throne with high skills and ability in all aspects. (all 9!)