Stephanie of Armenia

Stephanie of Armenia (after 1195 – June 1220), also known as Rita, was a member of the Rubenid dynasty and claimant to the throne of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia.

[citation needed] Stephanie was brought up by her paternal grandmother, Rita of Barbaron.

John had only recently lost his first wife, Queen Maria, who was a sister of Stephanie's stepmother Sibylla.

John left the Fifth Crusade in February 1220 intending to visit Cilicia to press his family's claim.

In June, however, Stephanie died; it was gossiped that John had beaten her to death after she tried to poison her stepdaughter, Isabella.