John I of Cyprus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids John I |
|
|---|---|
| King of Cyprus and Jerusalem | |
| Reign | 1284–1285 |
| Predecessor | Hugh III |
| Successor | Henry II |
| Born | c. 1268 |
| Died | 20 May 1285 |
| House | Poitiers-Lusignan |
| Father | Hugh III of Cyprus |
| Mother | Isabella of Ibelin |
John I was a king who ruled over Cyprus and also claimed the title of King of Jerusalem. He was king from 1284 to 1285. He had to deal with another powerful ruler, Charles I of Anjou, who also wanted to be King of Jerusalem.
Who Was King John I?
John I was born around 1268. His father was Hugh III, who was the King of both Cyprus and Jerusalem. His mother was Isabella of Ibelin. John was the oldest son who was still alive when his father passed away.
Becoming King
King Hugh III died on March 3, 1284. This meant John became the new king. He was about 17 years old at the time. On May 11, he was crowned King of Cyprus in a city called Nicosia. People described him as handsome and delicate.
Right after his coronation in Cyprus, John traveled by ship to Tyre. Tyre was an important city on the mainland. There, he was crowned King of Jerusalem.
His Short Reign
Even though John was crowned King of Jerusalem, not everyone recognized him as the true king. On the mainland, only two cities accepted him: Tyre and Beirut. Tyre was ruled by his aunt, Margaret of Tyre. Beirut was ruled by his brother, Guy.
The city of Acre was the main political center for the Kingdom of Jerusalem. However, Acre recognized Charles I of Anjou as king instead of John. This meant John's power on the mainland was quite limited.
The End of His Reign
John I's reign was very short. He died on May 20, 1285. This was almost exactly one year after he became king. After his death, the crown passed to his younger brother, Henry II.
