The Tree of Europe · Person

James II of Cyprus

An illegitimate son of John II, he secured Mamluk assistance to contest Charlotte’s crown and recovered Famagusta from the Genoese. His marriage to Catherine Cornaro strengthened Venetian influence. He died before his heir was born.

c. 1438 – 1473KingLusignan · ES

This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.

Historical profile

Key details

Birth: 1438 Approximate

Death: 1473 Documented

Role: King

Other recorded names: Jacques II de Lusignan · James II of Cyprus

Dynasty: Lusignan · ES

Territories: Cyprus (ES) · Jerusalem (ES) · Cilician Armenia (ES)

Recorded governments and reigns
King · Cyprus · Reign Pending review1460–1464Disputed
King · Cyprus · Reign Pending review1464–1473Effective rule
King · Jerusalem · Reign Pending review1464–1473TitularDynastic title without territorial rule over Jerusalem.
King · Cilician Armenia · Reign Pending review1464–1473Titular
Family network

Recorded relationships

Parents
John II of CyprusPending review
Partners
Catherine CornaroPending review
Crowns and unions

Their titles over time

Follow the changing territories and offices of James II of Cyprus. Each title retains its own status.

Governments in 1464

  • CyprusKing
    View titles and jurisdictions
Nominal and disputed titles (3)

Annual dates: overlap within one year does not prove that two offices were held on the same day. Regencies and co-rulerships retain their labels.

Documentation

Sources for this profile

Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.

Evidence for this profile

8 recorded claims · 7 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.

Dates (1/2 with a precise source)
Family and relationships (0/2 with a precise source)
  • FatherPending review

    John II of Cyprus

    A precise source has not yet been added.
    No individual review recorded ·
  • Marriage or partnershipPending review

    Catherine Cornaro

    A precise source has not yet been added.
    No individual review recorded ·
Governments (0/4 with a precise source)
  • GovernmentPending review

    King · Cyprus · 1460–1464

    A precise source has not yet been added.
    No individual review recorded ·
  • GovernmentPending review

    King · Cyprus · 1464–1473

    A precise source has not yet been added.
    No individual review recorded ·
  • GovernmentPending review

    King · Jerusalem · 1464–1473

    A precise source has not yet been added.
    No individual review recorded ·
  • GovernmentPending review

    King · Cilician Armenia · 1464–1473

    A precise source has not yet been added.
    No individual review recorded ·
Biographical and contextual references (3)
Editorial history
  • 2026-10-12 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-10-08 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-10-03 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-09-30 · The duchy is limited to Dijon and Autun; each other fief now enters the map only under its dated ruler. John III of Namur and the Nevers/Rethel branch were added. The previous shape combined later counties and unrelated lands as if all belonged to the duchy from 1363.
  • 2026-09-28 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.

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