Peter II of Cyprus
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Peter II | |
---|---|
King of Cyprus | |
Reign | 17 January 1369 – 13 October 1382 |
Predecessor | Peter I |
Successor | James I |
Born | ca. 1354 or 1357 Cyprus |
Died | 13 October 1382 (aged 25-28) Nicosia, Cyprus |
Spouse |
Poitiers-Lusignan |
Father | Peter I of Cyprus |
Mother | Eleanor of Aragon |
Peter II (1354 or 1357 – 13 October 1382), called the Fat (French Pierre le Gros), was the eleventh
Biography
Family
He was married by proxy in
Before Peter's marriage had been arranged, it had been suggested that he marry a daughter of the Byzantine Emperor
Peter II, who had no surviving children, was succeeded not by his surviving sister Marie, called Mariette, nor by their oldest uncle John of Lusignan, who had been murdered in 1375, but by his younger uncle, who became James I of Cyprus.
Reign
The period of his reign was characterised by decline in the condition of the kingdom of Cyprus, in marked contrast to his father's relatively successful reign. He lost his father's Cypriot possessions in
Peter II was declared King of Cyprus after his father's murder in January 1369; however, at fifteen, he was still a minor, so his uncle John of Lusignan, Prince of Antioch ruled the Kingdom as regent until Peter came of age. John's appointment as regent provoked strong opposition, especially from queen Eleanor, who believed that he had been involved in her husband's murder. Vowing revenge, Eleanor secretly sent messages to European powers asking for military aid to punish those whom she believed to be Peter I's murderers. The Genoese responded positively, seeing it as a chance to gain power in the politics of Cyprus and possibly even seize control of the island kingdom. Eleanor invited them to invade the island in exchange for her vengeance.
On 6 January, 1372, Peter II was crowned in
King Peter and his councillors in Cyprus believed that all available military forces should be brought together to face the Genoese threat. Peter therefore made a treaty with Emir Teke forfeiting Antalya (which had been captured by his father, Peter I) to him. The Cypriots withdrew their forces in 1373. Peter did not lead the resistance against the Genoese, but left it to his uncles, John and James. The young king, who was with his mother Eleanor on Famagusta, only managed to lose a very important city-harbour and get himself taken captive. Famagusta, which was excellently fortified, was captured by the Genoese when the city allowed them to enter, supposedly for negotiations. The Genoese proved themselves somewhat less than trustworthy in this regard.
Peter and Eleanor the Dowager Queen were held captive by the Genoese, who also attacked
It was at this time, in 1374, that Cyprus ceased to hold the residence of the exiled
The operation in Cyprus brought the Genoese many benefits. Before they left, they executed those who were allegedly involved in Peter I's murder, as they had promised Eleanor, who, after the end of the war with the Genoese, in 1375, had Prince John killed.
The powerful Eleanor had already come into conflict with Valentina Visconti not long after she was wedded to Peter I. Eleanor was involved in numerous court scandals and other issues, so Peter decided to send his mother away. Despite her protests, Eleanor returned to Castile in September 1378.
Peter successfully negotiated a peace treaty with the Sultan of Egypt. He also built and improved the fortifications of Nicosia, as well as building a royal villa in the village of Potamia and other building projects. Like his father, he created his own similar currencies. He died on 13 October 1382 at the Palace of La Cava, Nicosia, and was buried at St. Dominic's, Nicosia.
References
- ISBN 0521458374