Frederick, as regent for his young son…

Frederick, as regent for his young son Conrad II of Jerusalem, has appointed five bailiffs to govern Cyprus, much to the displeasure of the local nobility.

This is greatly opposed by the Ibelin family and they, supported by the government of the king of Cyprus (a feudatory of Jerusalem) and of Jerusalem, make war on the five bailiffs.

Initially successful in controlling the chief fortresses of the island in the first half of 1232, one of the bailiffs, Aimery Barlais, conquers most of Cyprus save Dieudamour and Buffavento for the emperor.

The Ibelins respond by trying to bribe the Genoese into an alliance with them by offering them commercial privileges at Cypriot ports as well as land grants.

This fails, however.

The Ibelins and Cypriots assemble a meager force of two hundred and thirty-three mounted men as opposed to the massive Lombard force of two thousand horse.

Their army is divided into five battles.

Four are lined up under the command of Hugh of Ibelin, Anceau of Brie, Baldwin of Ibelin, and John of Caesarea.

Balian of Beirut, though he is supposed to be with the rearguard, lines up at the front beside Hugh and Anceau.

The rearguard is commanded by John I of Beirut and Henry of Cyprus.

The Lombard vanguard is led by Walter of Manepeau, who charges as far as the Ibelin rearguard before turning around and leading his men at the fourth battle under John of Caesarea.

They are repulsed and flee.

The second Lombard battle makes a successful charge at the force under Hugh's command, but the men of Anceau readily come to his rescue.

During the subsequent mêlée, Berart of Manepeau is dismounted by Anceau of Brie and seventeen comrades who dismount to help him are killed by sergeants on foot before he recovers.

The young Balian gains a reputation defending a pass from the Lombards.

In the end, the arrival of between fifty and sixty sergans à pié (foot sergeants) from the town of Agridi is critical to their success.

Following the battle, John of Beirut, with funds from Henry of Cyprus, hires thirteen Genoese galleys to aid in the siege of Kyrenia.