James II of Cyprus facts for kids

Quick facts for kids James II
King of Cyprus
Reign	1460/1464 – 10 July 1473
Predecessor	Charlotte and Louis
Successor	James III
Contenders	Charlotte and Louis (1460–1464)
Born	c. 1438/1439 or c. 1440
Died	10 July 1473
Spouse	Catherine Cornaro
Issue	James III of Cyprus
House	Poitiers-Lusignan
Father	John II of Cyprus
Mother	Marietta de Patras (concubine)

James II (born around 1438 or 1439 – died July 10, 1473) was a king of Cyprus. He ruled from about 1460 until his death. He was the second to last king of Cyprus from the Poitiers-Lusignan family.

James II: Early Life and Rise to Power

Becoming Archbishop of Nicosia

James was born in Nicosia, the capital city of Cyprus. He was the son of John II of Cyprus and a woman named Marietta de Patras. His father, King John II, was very fond of him.

In 1456, when James was about 16 years old, he was given an important church position. He became the Archbishop of Nicosia. This made him a powerful religious leader on the island.

However, in 1457, James was involved in a serious incident. After this, he lost his position as archbishop. He had to leave Cyprus and sailed to Rhodes on a ship. Later, his father forgave him, and James was able to return to Cyprus. He also got his archbishop position back.

Challenging for the Throne

In 1458, James's father, King John II, passed away. His half-sister, Charlotte, became the new Queen of Cyprus. But James believed he should be king instead.

In 1460, James got help from the Egyptian Mamluk sultan, Sayf ad-Din Inal. With this support, James challenged Charlotte's right to be queen. He trapped Charlotte and her husband, Louis of Savoy, inside Kyrenia Castle. They were stuck there for three years.

In 1463, Queen Charlotte had to leave Cyprus. She fled to Rome.

James II: King of Cyprus

Taking the Crown

By the autumn of 1464, Kyrenia Castle finally fell. This meant Charlotte and Louis had lost their control over Cyprus. James was then crowned as the new king.

To show his thanks, James rewarded his friends and supporters. He made his friend, Juan Tafures, a very important person in his royal household. Juan Tafures also became the Count of Tripoli.

Silver coin of James II of Cyprus. One side shows him on horseback. The other side shows a Jerusalem Cross.

Marriage and His Final Years

To gain more political support, King James II decided to marry. In 1468, he married a 14-year-old girl from Venice named Catherine Cornaro. They married by proxy, which means someone stood in for Catherine during the ceremony.

Catherine finally arrived in Cyprus in 1472. She married James in person in Famagusta that year. Just a few months later, in July 1473, King James died in Famagusta. Some people suspected he might have been poisoned.

James's will stated that Catherine, who was pregnant, should rule as regent. This meant she would rule until their child was old enough. Their son, James III, was born but died in 1474, before his first birthday.

After her son's death, Catherine became the queen of Cyprus. However, Venetian merchants largely controlled the island during her reign. In 1489, Venice forced Queen Catherine to give up her throne. Cyprus then became a colony of the Republic of Venice.