James I of Cyprus
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James I of Cyprus (1334 – September 9, 1398) was King of Cyprus 1382–1398. He was the son of Hugh IV of Cyprus, and became king upon the death of his nephew Peter II.
He married his kinswoman Helvis of Brunswick-Grubenhagen (daughter of Philip of Brunswick, Constable of Jerusalem and Helisia of Dampierre) in 1365. James was created Constable of Cyprus, and in that office, led the war against the Genoese in 1372. With the capture of Kyrenia in 1374, he was taken as a hostage to Genoa, where he consummated his marriage with Helvis, whom he had wed when she was twelve. Most or all of their children were born in Genoa. Due to his captivity, he was not crowned until 1385.
In 1393, Leo VI of Armenia died, and James assumed the title of King of Armenia, and was formally crowned as King in 1396. That kingdom was by now reduced to the city of Korikos, which had been in Cypriote hands since its conquest by Peter I of Cyprus.
He had twelve children:
- Janus (1375–1432), who succeeded him as king
- Philip (d. c. 1430), Constable of Cyprus
- Henry (d. July 7, 1426), titular Prince of Galilee, killed at Khirokitia, married his cousin Eleonore, daughter of John, titular Prince of Antioch
- Odo (d. 1421), Seneschal of Jerusalem, married his cousin Loysia, daughter of John, titular Prince of Antioch
- Hugh (d. 1442), Regent of Cyprus and Cardinal Archbishop of Nicosia
- Guy, Constable of Cyprus
- an unknown daughter (d. 1374)
- Jacqua (d. c. 1397)
- Eschiva (d. aft. 1406)
- Marie (1381–1404), married Ladislas of Naples in 1403
- Agnes (c. 1382–1459), Abbess of Wunsdorf
- Isabelle, married her cousin Peter, titular Count of Tripoli and son of John, titular Prince of Antioch
Upon his death, his son Janus succeeded to the throne.
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