Medieval history
Searching for Joanna
Nicholas Costa
A historical investigation into a love affair, a royal court and the records of medieval Cyprus.
Find a copyAbout the book
The focus of this work is the love affair between Pierre I Lusignan and one of his courtiers, Joanna L’Aleman. Its primary source is Leontios Macheras’s Chronicle, written in Cypriot Greek between 1426 and 1432.
The affair, Queen Eleanor’s revenge and Pierre’s own turbulent career emerge through later documents, set against the last Crusader king’s campaign to recover Jerusalem and his eventual murder.
A medieval Cypriot investigation
Searching for Joanna draws together the Chronicle of Leontios Macheras and later documentary evidence to examine the historical person behind the legend of Arodafnousa.
The story unfolds through the political and personal world of fourteenth-century Cyprus, including Pierre I’s attempt to recover Jerusalem and the events leading to his murder.
Critical response
Words from readers.
“I have read the book with great interest and I congratulate you for your sharp eye! You have really observed things specialists have overlooked.”
Dr Angel Nicolaou-Konnari, Associate Professor in Medieval History, University of Cyprus
“It’s a great read. I really enjoyed reading it and finding out about your discoveries linked to this.”
Alicia Mc Dermott, anthropologist, writer, adventurer, and Chief Editor of Ancient Origins Magazine