James II of Cyprus

James II (c. 1438–1473), called the Bastard, was the illegitimate son of King John II of Cyprus. He became Archbishop of Nicosia in 1456 but lost the see after killing the royal chamberlain. When John II died in 1458, the crown passed to James's half-sister Charlotte. In 1460, backed by the Egyptian Mamluk sultan, James invaded, blockaded Charlotte in Kyrenia for three years, and was crowned king by 1464.

Seeking Venetian support, he married Catherine Cornaro in 1468. James died in 1473 amid rumours of Venetian poisoning, leaving his pregnant wife as regent.