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.
This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.
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 relationships
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
- Cyprus · ESKing · Effective rule1464–1473
Nominal and disputed titles (3)
- Cyprus · ESKing · Disputed1460–1464
- Jerusalem · ESKing · Titular1464–1473 · Dynastic title without territorial rule over Jerusalem.
- Cilician Armenia · ESKing · Titular1464–1473
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.
Sources for this profile
- Treccani · Enciclopedia Italiana · Lusignano
- Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND authority record · Jakob II., Zypern, König
- Encyclopaedia Britannica
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)
- BirthApproximate
1438
A precise source has not yet been added. - DeathDocumented
1473
The authority record gives the death as 1473.
Family and relationships (0/2 with a precise source)
- FatherPending review
John II of Cyprus
A precise source has not yet been added. - Marriage or partnershipPending review
Catherine Cornaro
A precise source has not yet been added.
Governments (0/4 with a precise source)
- GovernmentPending review
King · Cyprus · 1460–1464
A precise source has not yet been added. - GovernmentPending review
King · Cyprus · 1464–1473
A precise source has not yet been added. - GovernmentPending review
King · Jerusalem · 1464–1473
A precise source has not yet been added. - GovernmentPending review
King · Cilician Armenia · 1464–1473
A precise source has not yet been added.
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.
More paths from James II of Cyprus
Family
John II of CyprusKing1418 – 1458Catherine CornaroQueen1454 – 1510James III of CyprusKing1473 – 1474Same dynasty
Charlotte of CyprusQueen1444 – 1487Anne of Cyprus · ESConsort1418 – 1462Janus of CyprusKing1375 – 1432Peter II of Cyprus · ESKingc. 1354 – 1382Leo V of Cilician Armenia · ESKingc. 1342 – 1393James I of CyprusKing1334 – 1398In their lifetime
Charlotte of CyprusQueen1444 – 1487Louis of Savoy, King of CyprusKing consort1436 – 1482Anne of Cyprus · ESConsort1418 – 1462Helena Palaiologina · ESConsort1428 – 1458
Frederick III of the Holy Roman Empire“the Peaceful”Emperor1415 – 1493
John II of Aragon“the Great”King of Aragon and Navarre1398 – 1479