‘Cyprus.’ [‎3r] (5/184)

PREFACE.
The subject of the first chapter of this book, viz., the History of
Cyprus, is one upon which many volumes might be written, for
few countries have a longer or more varied history; it lias there
fore been impossible to give more than a mere sketch of the
numerous dynasties which have succeeded one another in the
island, and to relate the most important historical events. Stress
has been laid upon the incidents which occurred at the end of the
twelfth century leading to the conquest of Cyprus by Richard
Cceur de Lion, its sale to the Templars, and subsequent transfer to
the Lusignan family, for this period in the history of the island is
of special interest to English readers. The process by which
Cyprus was annexed three hundred years later by the Venetian
Republic is explained in detail, and the events of the invasion by
the Turks, and their subjugation of the island in 1570-71 are
also related. Information concerning the ancient history lias been
chiefly gathered from the works of Eawlinson, Smith, Di Cesnola,
and Knight. M. De Mas Latrie’s “ Histoire de LTle de Chypre,”
is a most valuable work; it contains minute information concerning
the events of the Lusignan dynasty, and touches also upon the
Venetian rule; this history has been of great assistance to the
compiler of this book. The particulars of the conquest of Cyprus
by the Turks are contained in the Histories of the Ottoman
Empire, by Knolles and Von Hanmer; both these authors enter
into the subject in full detail. Additional historical information
has been derived from various sources; a complete list of the
authors and their works from which extracts have been taken, will
be found at the end of this book.
The four descriptive chapters, II to V, are compiled from the
Writings of travellers in Cyprus, and from all other available
sources; the island is now daily becoming better known, and when
it has been completely and accurately surveyed and examined, it is
not unlikely that errors will be found in both the reports and the
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