Author: Antoine P. Borg

A photo of Selimiye Camii Mosque (previously Santa Sophia Cathedral)

Charlotte of Bourbon

Posted on 2024-06-52025-06-10 by Antoine P. Borg

As Queen of Cyprus, Charlotte introduced a cultural revival on the island, based on her education and French upbringing.
She is one of my maternal 14 x great-grandmothers.

A photo of the Mala Paga walls - Genoa, Italy

Helvis von Braunschweig-Grubenhagen

Posted on 2024-05-302026-03-28 by Antoine P. Borg

Helvis was a child-bride at 12 to her step-brother to keep things in the family.

Alice Ibelin

Posted on 2024-05-232026-03-28 by Antoine P. Borg

Alice, Queen Consort of Cyprus, was miraculously cured of a speech impediment by a fragment of the True Cross that was in Cyprus.

A picture of the coat of arms of the Ibelin family crest

Eschiva Ibelin

Posted on 2024-05-172025-06-10 by Antoine P. Borg

Eschiva Ibelin inherited the Ladyship of Beirut and was a contender for Duchess of Athens. Married thrice, she mothered the future King Hugh IV of Cyprus.

A 3D reconstruction of the city of Antioch in Roman times

The bishop’s political machinations

Posted on 2024-04-82025-06-10 by Antoine P. Borg

In 1136, amidst religious and political tensions in Antioch, Bishop Ralph used his influence and deceptive tactics to marry young Princess Constance to Raymond of Poitiers, securing political alliances and reinforcing Latin church dominance over Byzantine objections.

An illustration of Ermengarde of Hesbaye

Enguerrand

Posted on 2024-03-12026-03-15 by Antoine P. Borg

Enguerrand, an obscure potential Count, may have come from modern Belgium. He’s my 33 x great-grandfather

The family crest for the de Lusignan family

Isabella Ibelin

Posted on 2024-01-112025-06-10 by Antoine P. Borg

Isabella of Ibelin, born in the 13th century is only known as the wife of Hugh III of Cyprus.

The coat of arms of the House of Poitiers

Isabelle de Lusignan

Posted on 2023-12-232026-03-28 by Antoine P. Borg

Isabelle of Cyprus, a regent of Jerusalem, was a Cypriot noble and the youngest daughter of King Hugh I. She appointed her husband and son as Bailiffs of Jerusalem before her death in 1264.

James I, King of Cyprus

Posted on 2023-11-232026-03-28 by Antoine P. Borg

James I of Cyprus served as regent for his nephew Peter II, before becoming King in 1382. He led a war against Genoese, was imprisoned, and later released in 1385. He is my 15 x great-grandfather

Charlemagne

Posted on 2023-10-172026-03-15 by Antoine P. Borg

Carlos Magnus, Charlemagne, or the ‘Father of Europe’, was the first western Holy Roman Emperor after the collapse of the Roman Empire.

He is my 33 x great-grandfather.