Evidence Reference
Wipertus H. Rudt de Collenberg, "Les Lusignan de Chypre" (EKEE, 1974–1980)
Associated with Charlotte of Cyprus
Citation
Wipertus H. Rudt de Collenberg, "Les Lusignan de Chypre," published in Επετηρίς του Κέντρου Επιστημονικών Ερευνών (Nicosia, 1974–1980). Definitive prosopographical study documenting the parentage of every Lusignan king of Cyprus, including James II's illegitimate descent from John II and Marietta of Patras, and the marriage of James II to Catherine Cornaro.
Supporting claim
supported
Charlotte of Cyprus (1444–1487), Queen of Cyprus 1458–1460, was the legitimate daughter of John II and Helena Palaiologina. Deposed in 1460 by her illegitimate half-brother James II, she fled Cyprus and spent decades in exile pursuing her claim. She married her first cousin Louis of Savoy (son of Anne de Lusignan and Louis I of Savoy), deepening the Cyprus–Savoy connection. In 1485 she formally ceded her titular claims to the Kingdoms of Cyprus, Jerusalem, and Armenia to her brother-in-law Charles I of Savoy, whose house has continued to use the styles as titular claims.