Oshin, King of Armenia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Oshin |
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| King of Armenia | |
| Reign | 1307–1320 |
| Predecessor | Levon III |
| Successor | Levon IV |
| Born | 1282 |
| Died | July 20, 1320 (aged 37–38) |
| Spouse | Isabel of Korikos Isabelle of Lusignan Jeanne of Anjou |
| Issue | Leo IV George of Armenia |
| House | Hethumids |
| Father | Leo II |
| Mother | Keran of Lampron |
Oshin (Armenian: Օշին) (born 1282 – died July 20, 1320) was a king of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia. He ruled from 1307 to 1320. Oshin was part of the Hethumid family. His parents were King Leo II and Queen Keran.
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Becoming King of Armenia
Oshin became king after his nephew, King Leo III, and his brother, Hethum II, were tragically killed. They were at a feast when a Mongol general named Bilarghu attacked them.
Bilarghu was in charge of the Mongol soldiers in Cilicia. He was a Muslim and wanted to build a mosque in the capital city, Sis. King Hethum II complained about this to the Mongol leader, Öljeitü Khan.
On November 17, 1307, Bilarghu tricked King Hethum II and King Leo III into coming to his camp. There, he had them killed along with their helpers.
Oshin quickly fought back against Bilarghu. He defeated Bilarghu and forced him to leave Cilicia. The Mongol leader, Öljeitü Khan, supported Oshin. He even had Bilarghu punished for his crime. Öljeitü Khan then helped Oshin become the new king of Cilician Armenia.
Challenges and Alliances
Like his brother Hethum II, Oshin wanted to unite the Armenian Church with the Roman Catholic Church. This idea was not popular with many people in Armenia. Uniting the churches was a way to get help from Europe. However, many Armenians remembered that Catholic Crusader states had fought against them before.
Even so, Oshin asked Christian countries in Europe for help. He needed to protect his kingdom from the Muslim Mamluk Empire. The Mongols were no longer strong allies. They were fighting their own wars and had become weaker.
In 1309, Oshin had his wife's uncle, also named Oshin, punished. This Oshin was the Marshal of Armenia. He was believed to be involved in the death of King Oshin's brother, Thoros III.
Family Connections
Oshin's sister, Isabella of Armenia, was married to Amalric of Tyre. Amalric took control of Cyprus from his brother, Henry II of Cyprus. Henry was then held in Armenia by King Oshin.
However, Amalric was killed in 1310. After that, King Henry II was set free and returned to Cyprus.
Oshin's Marriages and Children
King Oshin was married three times during his life:
- His first wife was his cousin, Isabel of Korikos. They had one son together, Leo IV, who was born in 1309. Isabel died in 1310.
- His second wife was Isabelle of Lusignan. She was the daughter of King Hugh III of Cyprus. She was also the widow of Constantine of Neghir. Oshin divorced Isabelle before 1316. Isabelle died in 1319.
- His third wife was Joan of Taranto. They married in February 1316 in Tarsus. They had one son named George, who was born in 1317. George was still alive after 1323.
Death and Successor
King Oshin died on July 20, 1320. It was believed by many that he died from poisoning. His cousin, Oshin of Korikos, was thought to be involved.
After Oshin's death, his young son, Leo IV, became the new king. Leo IV was sometimes called Leo V.
