Keran, Queen of Armenia


Keran of Lampron was a by-birth member of the House of Lampron and by marriage Queen consort of Armenia.
She was the daughter of Prince Hethum of Lampron by his unknown wife, who probably was from Frankish origin. She had three known siblings: Marianne, Alix, and Raymond, Lord of Michael'gla.

Life

Before 15 January 1262/14 January 1263, Keran married Prince Leo of Armenia, eldest son and heir of King Hethum I, who became in King after his father's abdication in 1270. Born Anna, she was called Kir-Anna after her husband took the throne. This name was later shortened to Keran, or Guerane.
Many words of praise were made about Queen Keran by her contemporaries. Her son Hethum claimed that "she had a wonderful soul and a beautiful body." The chronicler and scribe Avetis, described her as "a good friend to her husband in trouble and joy."
After the birth of her last son, Keran became a nun and entered the Monastery of Trazarg, assuming the name of Theophania. She was probably joined there by her sister Marianne. She died on 28 July 1285 and was buried in the Monastery.

Issue

Queen Keran bore her husband Levon II, King of Armenia sixteen children:
  1. Son.
  2. Constantine.
  3. Fimi .
  4. Hethum II, King of Armenia.
  5. Isabella .
  6. Thoros III, King of Armenia.
  7. Ruben
  8. Isabella .
  9. Sempad, King of Armenia.
  10. Isabella of Armenia, Princess of Tyre|Isabella , twin with Sempad; married in 1293 with Amalric of Lusignan, Prince of Tyre, son of King Hugh III of Cyprus.
  11. Constantine I, King of Armenia.
  12. Rita, renamed Maria upon her wedding; married in 1294 with Michael IX Palaeologus, co-Emperor of the Byzantine Empire with his father Andronicus II Palaeologus.
  13. Theophanu, twin with Rita; renamed Teodora upon her betrothal; she died en route to be married with Theodore, son of John I Doukas, Lord of Thessaly.
  14. Nerses, a priest.
  15. Oshin, King of Armenia.
  16. Alinakh, twin with Oshin; Lord of Lampron and Tarsus.