Tour To Europe
Meanwhile, King Peter still faced a serious problem of his recognition as holder of the throne of Cyprus, since his nephew Hugh, went to Pope to ask for the throne with the support of the King of France. Since Peter had sent nobles as his representatives to Pope to support him without result, he had to go their to visit Pope by himself. At the end of October 1362, he left from Paphos to Rhodes and then to Venice and he was accepted there with honours. He went to Avignon and visited the Pope together with the claimant of the throne of Cyprus. Peter was recognised as King and Hugh ensured a high annual benefit, solving the problem.
Taking as an advantage his trip in Europe, he tried to convince the powerful rulers to strengthen him, organizing a big crusade to "liberate" the Holy Land and the Kingdom of Jerusalem which belonged to him. That issue was discussed with the new elected Pope, after the death of the previous one. For the same reason he travelled in England, Germany and France. During his visit in England the historical banquet of the Five Kings took place.
He also visited some powerful cities like Genoa, Venice, Prague and Cracow, where he participated in a gathering of monarchs. He met several monarchs in London, at the meeting of five kings: Cyprus, England, Scotland, France and Denmark. Everywhere he was accepted with honours and expensive presents, however he did not achieve to persuade those monarchs to compete in a new Pan-European and Pan-Christian crusade in Middle East.
Meanwhile, Cyprus, which was governed by Prince John, brother of Peter who remained as vice-King, faced many problems: the big epidemics of 1363, which ruined many residents of Cyprus (one of them was Eschiva, Peter's sister), the Turks who heard that the Cypriot people were dying, began new raids and pillages in the island. At the same time an episode between Cypriots and Genoese navies in Famagusta became a political issue and had many fights and killings. Peter who happened to be in Genoa, negotiated and signed a treaty with Genoese which was declaring what rights the Genoese colonisers of Cyprus could have.
Read more about this topic: Peter I Of Cyprus
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