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Tahiti: Pōmare II, King of Tahiti (1774-1821)

Pōmare II, King of Tahiti (1774 - December 7, 1821), fully Tu Tunuieaiteatua Pomare II or in modern orthography Tū Tū-nui-ʻēʻa-i-te-atua Pōmare II (historically misspelled as Tu Tunuiea'aite-a-tua), was the second king of Tahiti between 1782 and 1821. He was installed by his father Pōmare I at Tarahoi, 13 February 1791. He ruled under regency from 1782 to 1803. Initially recognised as supreme sovereign and Ariʻi-maro-ʻura by the ruler of Huahine, he was subsequently forced to take refuge in Moʻorea 22 December 1808, but returned and defeated his enemies at the Battle of Te Feipī, 15 November 1815. He was thereafter recognised as undisputed king (Te Ariʻi-nui-o-Tahiti) of Tahiti, Moʻorea and its dependencies. He was baptised 16 May 1819 at the Royal Chapel, Papeʻete - Christianity and the support of English missionaries aided the centralisation of monarchic power. Pomare II died at Motu Uta, Moʻorea, 7 December 1821. He was succeeded by Teriʻi-ta-ria Pōmare III, who reigned 1821-1827.