Berengaria of Castile (1180–1246)

Queen of Leon. Name variations: Berengeria, Berengare; (Spanish) Berenguela. Pronunciation: Ber-en-GAR-ee-uh. Born in 1180 in Castile; died on November 8, 1246, in Castile; daughter of Alphonso VIII, king of Castile and León (d. 1214), and Eleanor of Castile (1162–1214, daughter ofEleanor of Aquitaine); sister ofBlanche of Castile (1188–1252) andUrraca of Castile (1186–1220); married Conrad II, duke of Swabia, in 1188 (annulled); became second wife of Alphonso IX (1171–1230), king of León, in 1197 (annulled in 1204); children: (second marriage) Ferdinand III (St. Ferdinand, 1199–1252), king of Castile (r. 1217–1252) and Leon (r. 1230–1252);Berengaria of Castile (b. around 1199, who married John I de Brienne);Constanza of Castile (1200–1242); Leonor (1202–1202); Alfonse de Castilla (c. 1204–1272).

Berengaria was born a princess of Castile (in modern central Spain), the eldest daughter of Alphonso VIII and his queen Eleanor of Castile . In 1197, Berengaria was married to Alphonso IX, king of León (in southcentral modern Spain), and eventually gave birth to three daughters and two sons. Her first born, Ferdinand, was a pious child who would later become King Ferdinand III of León-Castile and be proclaimed a saint after his death. Ironically, this future saint was born of a marriage which was annulled as unlawful several years later by the pope, on the grounds of consanguinity.

After the annulment, Berengaria seems to have returned to Castile. In 1214, her father died, and her young brother Henry (I) succeeded to the throne. Berengaria acted as regent for Henry, who died in 1217. Because he left no heirs, Berengaria then inherited the kingdom, but, instead of ruling, she abdicated in favor of her son, Ferdinand III. In 1230, her former husband Alphonso XI died, and she aided her son in inheriting his throne. Ferdinand reigned over the combined kingdoms of León-Castile until 1252. Berengaria continued to advise her son on matters of state until her death in 1246.

Laura York , Anza, California