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Charlotte of Cyprus Wikipedia

Charlotte of Cyprus (1436–1487) was the daughter of King John II of Cyprus and Elena Palaeologus.

Her mother was a daughter of Theodore II Palaeologus, Despot of Morea and his wife Cleope Malatesta. Theodore was in turn a son of Eastern Roman Emperor Manuel II Palaeologus and Helena Dragas.

At the age of 22, upon her father's death, Charlotte became Queen of Cyprus, ruling from 1458 to 1464. Her right to the throne was challenged by her illegitimate half-brother James II of Cyprus|James. After being blockaded in the castle of Kyrenia for three years, in 1463 she fled to Rome, whereupon her half-brother was crowned King James II.

She was married twice:
# John, Duke of Coimbra (grandson of John I of Portugal|John I, King of Portugal). It is rumoured that his death was due to poisoning, instigated by Queen Elena.
# Louis of Savoy (1436–1482). The couple were married in 1459. Louis was the second son and namesake of Louis of Savoy|Louis, Count of Savoy by Anne of Lusignan, daughter of Janus of Cyprus.

She died childless. In 1485, she ceded her claims to her nephew Charles I of Savoy, the next in the legitimate line of succession.

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succession box three to three|title1=Kingdom of Cyprus|Queen of Cyprus|before=John II of Cyprus|John II|years1=1458&ndash;1464|title2=Titular Kings of Jerusalem|Queen of Jerusalem|years2=1458&ndash;1460|title3=Titular Monarchs of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia|Queen of Armenia|years3=1458&ndash;1464|after=James II of Cyprus|James II<br>disputed by Charlotte until 1485 and Charles I of Savoy|Charles I afterwards
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Category:1436 births
Category:1487 deaths
Category:Monarchs of Armenia
Category:Kings of Cyprus
Category:Claimant Kings of Jerusalem
Category:Queens regnant

de:Charlotte (Zypern)
fr:Charlotte de Chypre

Last Modified:   2005-12-19