Helena Palaiologina
| Helena Palaiologina | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Queen consort of Cyprus and Armenia | |
| Tenure | 3 February 1442 – 11 April 1458 |
| Born | 3 February 1428 Castle of Mistras, Morea, Greece |
| Died | 11 April 1458 (aged 30) The fortress of Nicosia, Cyprus |
| Burial | Royal Monastery of Saint Dominic's, Nicosia |
| Spouse | King John II of Cyprus |
| Issue |
Charlotte of Cyprus Cleopha de Lusignan |
| House |
Palaiologos Lusignan |
| Father | Theodore II Palaiologos |
| Mother | Cleofa Malatesta |
| Religion | Greek Orthodox |
Helena Palaiologina (Greek: Ἑλένη Παλαιολογίνα) (3 February 1428 – 11 April 1458) was a Byzantine princess of the Palaiologos family, who became the Queen consort of Cyprus and Armenia, titular Queen consort of Jerusalem, and Princess of Antioch through her marriage to King John II of Cyprus and Armenia. She was the mother of Queen Charlotte of Cyprus.
She poisoned her son-in-law John of Portugal, and ordered the nose of her husband's mistress to be cut off. She did, however, welcome and assist many Byzantine refugees in Cyprus after the Fall of Constantinople in 1453.
Helena was born in the castle of Mistras, Morea, Greece on 3 February 1428, the only child of Theodore II Palaiologos and Cleofa Malatesta. Her paternal grandparents were Manuel II Palaiologos and Helena Dragas, and her maternal grandparents were Malatesta I, Count of Pesaro and Isabella Gonzaga. Her many uncles included Byzantine emperors John VIII Palaiologos and Constantine XI Palaiologos. When she was five years old, her mother died. Her father never remarried as he was occupied in the war which was fought against the Latin states in Greece for the unification of Morea.
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