Hugh IV of Cyprus
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Hugh IV (c. 1295 – October 10, 1359) was King of Cyprus from 1324 to 1358 and, nominally, King of Jerusalem, as Hugh II. The son of Guy of Lusignan, Constable of Cyprus, and Eschiva of Ibelin, Hugh succeeded to the throne of Cyprus on the death of his uncle Henry II, in 1324. Hugh appears to have been content to rule Cyprus, as he prevented his son, Peter I, from going to Western Europe to recruit support for a new crusade to recover their Kingdom of Jerusalem. In 1344, he joined a league with Venice and the Knights Hospitallers which burnt a Turkish fleet in Smyrna and captured the city. In 1345 the allies defeated the Turks at Imbros by land and sea, but Hugh could see little benefit for his kingdom in these endeavors and withdrew from the league.
Hugh married twice, both times to ladies of the house of Ibelin, firstly to Maria (d. 1318), daughter of Guy, Count of Jaffa and secondly on June 18, 1318, to Alice (d. 1386), daughter of Guy, Seneschal of Cyprus.
He had eight children. By his first marriage:
- Guy (c. 1316–1343), Constable of Cyprus (1336–1338) and titular Prince of Galilee. He left one son, Hugh, who succeeded him as Prince of Galilee.
By his second marriage:
- Eschiva (c. 1323–1363), married Ferran, Viscount of Aumelàs.
- Peter I (1328–1369), succeeded him as King of Cyprus and Jerusalem.
- John (c. 1329 or 1329/1330–1375), Regent of Cyprus and titular Prince of Antioch, murdered, married twice, firstly in 1343 to Constanza of Aragon, without issue, and secondly in 1350 to Alice d'Ibelin (-after 1373), by whom he was the father of Jacques, married to her cousin Marguerite or Marie, daughter of his brother Peter I.
- James I (1334–1398), succeeded his nephew Peter II of Cyprus.
Uncertan filiation:
Hugh resigned the crown to his son, Peter I (rather than his grandson Hugh) in 1358, and died on October 10, 1359 in Nicosia.
Preceded by Henry II |
King of Cyprus 1324–1358 |
Succeeded by Peter I |
Titular King of Jerusalem 1324–1358 |