Page "Isaac II Angelos" Paragraph 5

Isaac inaugurated his reign with a decisive victory over the Norman King of Sicily William II ( the Battle of Demetritzes, 7 November 1185 ), who had invaded the Balkans with 80, 000 men and 200 ships towards the end of Andronicus I's reign.

Elsewhere his policy was less successful.

In late 1185, he sent a fleet of 80 galleys to liberate his brother Alexius III from Acre, but it was destroyed by the Normans of Sicily.

He then sent a fleet of 70 ships, but it failed in its attempt to recover Cyprus from the rebellious noble Isaac Comnenus, thanks to Norman interference.