Aimery of Cyprus

Roi de Chypre et roi de Jérusalem

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Lived 1152–1205, aged 53France

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Wikipedia
32 languages
Cross-language footprint
Era
1152–1205
Aged 53

Summary

Updated 2026-06-09

A French nobleman who rode into the Latin East after a failed rebellion, survived the catastrophe at Hattin, and ended up wearing two crowns — Cyprus and Jerusalem — by marrying into power and outlasting his rivals.

Biography

About

Aimery of Lusignan left Poitou after backing the wrong side against Henry II in 1168 and made his way to the Kingdom of Jerusalem, where marriage to Eschiva of Ibelin gave him a foothold. His younger brother Guy married into royalty and became king in 1186; Aimery served as constable and commanded troops at Hattin the following year, when the Ayyubids shattered the Christian army. He stayed loyal to Guy even after Guy's wife died and the barons turned against him, then followed him to Cyprus when the situation became untenable. When Guy died in 1194, the Cypriot nobles chose Aimery as their lo…

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