Berengaria of Castile: Biography, Facts and Career

Berengaria (Castilian: Berenguela), nicknamed the Great (Castilian: la Grande) (1179 or 1180 – 8 November 1246), was the queen of Castile who ascended the throne in 1217, and previously queen of León from 1197 to 1204 as the second wife of King Alfonso IX. As the eldest child and heir presumptive of Alfonso VIII of Castile, she was a sought-after bride, and was engaged to Conrad, the son of Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I. After Conrad's death, she married her cousin Alfonso IX of León to secure the peace between him and her father. She had five children with him before their marriage was voided by Pope Innocent III. When her father died, Berengaria served as regent for her younger brother Henry I in Castile until she succeeded him on his untimely death. Within months, she had her son Ferdinand III acclaimed king. She continued guiding policy, negotiating, and ruling for the rest of her life. She was responsible for the re-unification of Castile and León under her son's authority, and supported his efforts in the Reconquista. She was a patron of religious institutions and supported the writing of a history of the two countries.

Quick facts about Berengaria of Castile

• Full name: Berengaria of Castile
• Born: 1180-06-08
• Nationality: Kingdom of Castile
• Known as: Royal
• Wikidata ID: Q232323

Profile compiled from public Wikipedia and Wikidata data. Details can change over time.