Charlotte, Queen of Cyprus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Charlotte |
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Charlotte in the centre with the open book
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| Queen of Cyprus | |
| Reign | 28 July 1458 – 1464 |
| Coronation | 7 October 1458 St. Sophia Cathedral |
| Predecessor | John II |
| Successor | James II |
| Born | 28 June 1444 Nicosia, Cyprus |
| Died | 16 July 1487 (aged 43) Rome, Italy |
| Spouse |
John of Portugal
(m. 1456; died 1457)Louis of Savoy
(m. 1459; died 1482) |
| House | Poitiers-Lusignan |
| Father | John II of Cyprus |
| Mother | Helena Palaiologina |
Charlotte (born 28 June 1444 – died 16 July 1487) was the Queen of Cyprus from 1458 to 1464. She was the only surviving daughter of King John II of Cyprus and Queen Helena Palaiologina. When her father died, Charlotte became queen at just 14 years old.
However, her half-brother, James, also wanted to be king. With help from the Egyptians, James forced Charlotte to leave Cyprus in 1463. He then became the new king. Charlotte tried to get her throne back with military help, but she was not successful. She later died in Rome without any children.
Early Life and Family
Charlotte was born in Nicosia, Cyprus, on 28 June 1444. She was the oldest and only surviving daughter of King John II of Cyprus and Queen Helena Palaiologina. Her younger sister, Cleopha, died in 1448, making Charlotte the only legal heir to the throne of Cyprus.
Charlotte also had a half-brother named James. He was the son of her father and his mistress, Marietta de Patras.
Charlotte grew up learning about the Byzantine traditions. She spoke Greek very well, which she learned from her mother. She could also write in French and Italian. She mostly spoke Greek throughout her life. Pope Pius II once called her the "Greek torrent" because she spoke so openly.
Becoming Queen of Cyprus
In 1456, Charlotte was given the title of Princess of Antioch. That same year, she married her first husband, John of Portugal. Sadly, he died in 1457.
On 28 July 1458, Charlotte's father passed away. At only fourteen years old, Charlotte became the Queen of Cyprus. She was crowned in St. Sophia Cathedral on 7 October 1458.
Charlotte's time as queen was difficult. Her half-brother James constantly challenged her right to rule. To gain support, she married her second husband, Louis of Savoy, Count of Geneva, on 7 October 1459. This marriage was arranged by the Genoese people, who promised to help her keep her crown.
In 1460, James captured the cities of Famagusta and Nicosia. He had help from the Egyptian sultanate. Charlotte and Louis were trapped in Kyrenia Castle for three years. In 1463, they had to escape to Rome. After they left, her half-brother James was crowned King James II.
Charlotte lived in a palace in Rome. Pope Pius II, who knew her, described Charlotte as a woman of about twenty-four. He said she had bright eyes and spoke smoothly, like a "torrent" of words, similar to the Greeks.
Later Life and Death
After leaving Cyprus, Charlotte set up a small court on the Greek island of Rhodes. She tried to get her throne back with help from the Pope, but her attempt was not successful. She also tried to remove James's widow, Catherine Cornaro, from power, but she failed.
In 1483, Pope Sixtus IV welcomed her at the Vatican Palace. She was given a seat of the same importance as the Pope's. In Rome, she lived in a house that had also hosted Queen Catherine of Bosnia.
Charlotte adopted a son named Alonso d'Aragona (1460–1510). He was the son of King Ferdinand I of Naples. Charlotte hoped to continue her family's rule through her niece, Charla de Lusignan. Charla was her half-brother's daughter. Around 1473, Charlotte visited Sultan Al-Ashraf Khalil in Cairo to discuss returning to the throne. The Sultan supported her plan, but it needed Charla to be with Charlotte. However, Charlotte's opponents kept Charla imprisoned, and she died before her twelfth birthday in 1480.
Later, a marriage was suggested between Alonso and Catherine Cornaro, but this did not happen because of the Republic of Venice. Around 1485, Charlotte gave up her claim to the throne to her cousin's son, Charles I of Savoy. In return, she received money every year.
Charlotte died without any children on 16 July 1487, shortly after her forty-third birthday. She was buried in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Her funeral was paid for by Pope Innocent VIII. Charlotte was the last member of the House of Poitiers-Lusignan.
Marriages
Charlotte was married two times:
- Her first husband was Infante John of Portugal (1431 or 1433 – 1457). They married in May 1456 in Nicosia. He was given the title of titular Prince of Antioch. John died about a year after their marriage.
- Her second husband was Louis of Savoy, Count of Geneva (born 5 June 1436 or 1 April 1437 – died August 1482). They married on 7 October 1459. Louis was her cousin. He became a titular King of Cyprus from 1459 to 1462 and also a titular King of Jerusalem.
Charlotte and Louis had one child, a son:
- Hugh or Henry, who was born on 4 July 1464 in Rhodes. Sadly, the boy died within a month of his birth.
See also
In Spanish: Carlota de Chipre para niños
