Alfonso IX of Leon
Encyclopedia
Alfonso IX was king of León and Galicia from the death of his father Ferdinand II
in 1188 until his own death. According to Ibn Khaldun
(1332–1406), he is said to have been called the Baboso or Slobberer because he was subject to fits of rage during which he foamed at the mouth.
, the only son of King Ferdinand II of León
and Urraca of Portugal
. He took a part in the work of the reconquest
, conquering the whole of Extremadura
(including the cities of Cáceres
and Badajoz
).
He took steps towards modernizing and democratizing his dominion, founding the University of Salamanca
in 1212. And in 1188 summoning the first parliament
reflecting full representation of the citizenry ever seen in Western Europe, the Cortes of León
.
The convening of the Cortes de León in the cloisters of the Basilica of San Isidoro
would be one of the most important events of Alfonso's reign. The difficult economic situation at the beginning of his reign compelled Alfonso to raise taxes on the underprivileged classes, leading to protests and a few towns revolts. In response the king summoned the Cortes, an assembly of nobles, clergy and representatives of cities, and subsequently faced demands for compensatory spending and greater external control and oversight of royal expenditures. Alfonso's convening of the Cortes is considered by many historians, including Australia's John Keane, to be instrumental to the formation democratic parliaments across Europe.
The Cortes' 1188 session predates the first session of the Parliament of England
, which occurred in in the thirteenth century.
In spite of the democratic precedent represented by the Cortes and the founding of the University of Salamanca, Alfonso is often chiefly remembered for the difficulties his successive marriages caused between him with Pope Celestine III
. He was first married in 1191 to his cousin, Teresa of Portugal
, who bore him two daughters, and a son who died young. The marriage was declared null by the papal legate Cardinal Gregory.
After Alfonso VIII of Castile
was defeated at the Battle of Alarcos
, Alfonso IX invaded Castile
with the aid of Muslim troops. He was summarily excommunicated by Pope Celestine III. In 1197, Alfonso IX married his second cousin, Berengaria of Castile, to cement peace between León and Castile. For this act of consanguinity
, the king and the kingdom were placed under interdict
by Celestine.
The Pope was, however, compelled to modify his measures by the threat that, if the people could not obtain the services of religion, they would not support the clergy, and that heresy would spread. The king was left under interdict personally, but to that he showed himself indifferent, and he had the support of his clergy. Berengaria left him after the birth of five children, and the king then returned to Theresa, to whose daughters he left his kingdom in his will.
His eldest daughter, Sancha, was engaged to her cousin King Henry I of Castile
, but Henry died in 1217 before the marriage could be solemnized. After his heir, from his first marriage (Ferdinand of León) died in 1214, Alfonso wanted to dis-inherit the eldest son from his second marriage (Ferdinand III of Castile
). King Alfonso IX invited the former King Consort of Jerusalem John of Brienne
to marry his daughter Sancha and thus inherit the Leonese throne through her.
However, his former second wife, Queen Berengaria of Castile sabotaged this plan by convincing John of Brienne to marry her own daughter by Alfonso, Berengaria of León, instead.
Though unmarried and pious spinster, Sancha was the nominal heiress of León-Galicia on her father's death in 1230. Sancha was easily set aside by negotiations, including a good single woman dowry between the former first wife and the former second wife. Sancha became a nun at Cozollos, where she died in 1270; she was later beatified. Her sister Dulce-Aldonza spent her life with her mother in Portugal.
Alfonso's children by Berengaria of Castile were:
Alfonso also fathered many illegitimate children, some fifteen further children born out of wedlock are documented.
Alfonso's children by Aldonza Martínez de Silva (daughter of Martin Gomez de Silva & Urraca Rodriguez), later married to Diego Froilaz, Count of Cifuentes:
Alfonso's child by Inés Iñíguez de Mendoza (born c. 1180) (daughter of Lope Iñiguez de Mendoza, 1st Lord of Mendoza (ca. 1140-1189) and wife Teresa Ximénez de los Cameros (ca. 1150-)):
Alfonso's child by Estefánia Pérez de Limia, daughter of Pedro Arias de Limia and wife, subsequently wife of Rodrigo Suárez, Merino mayor of Galicia, had issue):
Alfonso's children by Maua, of unknown origin:
Alfonso's children by Teresa Gil de Soverosa (born c. 1170) (daughter of Dom Gil Vasques de Soverosa & first wife Maria Aires de Fornelos):
Alfonso's other illegitimate child, mother unknown:
|-
Ferdinand II of Leon
Ferdinand II was King of León and Galicia from 1157 to his death.-Life:Born in Toledo, Castile, he was the son of King Alfonso VII of León and Castile and of Berenguela, of the House of Barcelona. At his father's death, he received León and Galicia, while his brother Sancho received Castile and...
in 1188 until his own death. According to Ibn Khaldun
Ibn Khaldun
Ibn Khaldūn or Ibn Khaldoun was an Arab Tunisian historiographer and historian who is often viewed as one of the forerunners of modern historiography, sociology and economics...
(1332–1406), he is said to have been called the Baboso or Slobberer because he was subject to fits of rage during which he foamed at the mouth.
Biography
Alfonso was born in ZamoraZamora, Spain
Zamora is a city in Castile and León, Spain, the capital of the province of Zamora. It lies on a rocky hill in the northwest, near the frontier with Portugal and crossed by the Duero river, which is some 50 km downstream as it reaches the Portuguese frontier...
, the only son of King Ferdinand II of León
Ferdinand II of Leon
Ferdinand II was King of León and Galicia from 1157 to his death.-Life:Born in Toledo, Castile, he was the son of King Alfonso VII of León and Castile and of Berenguela, of the House of Barcelona. At his father's death, he received León and Galicia, while his brother Sancho received Castile and...
and Urraca of Portugal
Urraca of Portugal
Infanta Urraca of Portugal was a Portuguese infanta , daughter of Afonso I, 1st King of Portugal and his wife Maud of Savoy.Urraca was born at Coimbra. She married Ferdinand II of León with whom she had Alfonso IX of León. This marriage failed to prevent her father Afonso I from declaring war on...
. He took a part in the work of the reconquest
Reconquista
The Reconquista was a period of almost 800 years in the Middle Ages during which several Christian kingdoms succeeded in retaking the Muslim-controlled areas of the Iberian Peninsula broadly known as Al-Andalus...
, conquering the whole of Extremadura
Extremadura
Extremadura is an autonomous community of western Spain whose capital city is Mérida. Its component provinces are Cáceres and Badajoz. It is bordered by Portugal to the west...
(including the cities of Cáceres
Cáceres, Spain
Cáceres is the capital of the same name province, in the autonomous community of Extremadura, Spain. , its population was 91,131 inhabitants. The municipio has a land area of 1,750.33 km², and is the largest in geographical extension in Spain....
and Badajoz
Badajoz
Badajoz is the capital of the Province of Badajoz in the autonomous community of Extremadura, Spain, situated close to the Portuguese border, on the left bank of the river Guadiana, and the Madrid–Lisbon railway. The population in 2007 was 145,257....
).
He took steps towards modernizing and democratizing his dominion, founding the University of Salamanca
University of Salamanca
The University of Salamanca is a Spanish higher education institution, located in the town of Salamanca, west of Madrid. It was founded in 1134 and given the Royal charter of foundation by King Alfonso IX in 1218. It is the oldest founded university in Spain and the third oldest European...
in 1212. And in 1188 summoning the first parliament
Parliament
A parliament is a legislature, especially in those countries whose system of government is based on the Westminster system modeled after that of the United Kingdom. The name is derived from the French , the action of parler : a parlement is a discussion. The term came to mean a meeting at which...
reflecting full representation of the citizenry ever seen in Western Europe, the Cortes of León
Cortes Generales
The Cortes Generales is the legislature of Spain. It is a bicameral parliament, composed of the Congress of Deputies and the Senate . The Cortes has power to enact any law and to amend the constitution...
.
The convening of the Cortes de León in the cloisters of the Basilica of San Isidoro
Basilica of San Isidoro
The Basilica of San Isidoro is a church in León, Spain, located on the site of an ancient Roman temple. Its Christian roots can be traced back to the early 10th century when a monastery for Saint John the Baptist was erected on the grounds....
would be one of the most important events of Alfonso's reign. The difficult economic situation at the beginning of his reign compelled Alfonso to raise taxes on the underprivileged classes, leading to protests and a few towns revolts. In response the king summoned the Cortes, an assembly of nobles, clergy and representatives of cities, and subsequently faced demands for compensatory spending and greater external control and oversight of royal expenditures. Alfonso's convening of the Cortes is considered by many historians, including Australia's John Keane, to be instrumental to the formation democratic parliaments across Europe.
The Cortes' 1188 session predates the first session of the Parliament of England
Parliament of England
The Parliament of England was the legislature of the Kingdom of England. In 1066, William of Normandy introduced a feudal system, by which he sought the advice of a council of tenants-in-chief and ecclesiastics before making laws...
, which occurred in in the thirteenth century.
In spite of the democratic precedent represented by the Cortes and the founding of the University of Salamanca, Alfonso is often chiefly remembered for the difficulties his successive marriages caused between him with Pope Celestine III
Pope Celestine III
Pope Celestine III , born Giacinto Bobone, was elected Pope on March 21, 1191, and reigned until his death. He was born into the noble Orsini family in Rome, though he was only a cardinal deacon before becoming Pope...
. He was first married in 1191 to his cousin, Teresa of Portugal
Teresa of Portugal
Theresa of Portugal was Queen of Léon as the first wife of King Alfonso IX of Léon...
, who bore him two daughters, and a son who died young. The marriage was declared null by the papal legate Cardinal Gregory.
After Alfonso VIII of Castile
Alfonso VIII of Castile
Alfonso VIII , called the Noble or el de las Navas, was the King of Castile from 1158 to his death and King of Toledo. He is most remembered for his part in the Reconquista and the downfall of the Almohad Caliphate...
was defeated at the Battle of Alarcos
Battle of Alarcos
Battle of Alarcos , was a battle between the Almohads led by Abu Yusuf Ya'qub al-Mansur and King Alfonso VIII of Castile. It resulted in the defeat of the Castilian forces and their subsequent retreat to Toledo whereas the Almohads conquered back Trujillo, Montánchez and Talavera.-Background:In...
, Alfonso IX invaded Castile
Kingdom of Castile
Kingdom of Castile was one of the medieval kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula. It emerged as a political autonomous entity in the 9th century. It was called County of Castile and was held in vassalage from the Kingdom of León. Its name comes from the host of castles constructed in the region...
with the aid of Muslim troops. He was summarily excommunicated by Pope Celestine III. In 1197, Alfonso IX married his second cousin, Berengaria of Castile, to cement peace between León and Castile. For this act of consanguinity
Consanguinity
Consanguinity refers to the property of being from the same kinship as another person. In that respect, consanguinity is the quality of being descended from the same ancestor as another person...
, the king and the kingdom were placed under interdict
Interdict (Roman Catholic Church)
In Roman Catholic canon law, an interdict is an ecclesiastical censure that excludes from certain rites of the Church individuals or groups, who nonetheless do not cease to be members of the Church.-Distinctions in canon law:...
by Celestine.
The Pope was, however, compelled to modify his measures by the threat that, if the people could not obtain the services of religion, they would not support the clergy, and that heresy would spread. The king was left under interdict personally, but to that he showed himself indifferent, and he had the support of his clergy. Berengaria left him after the birth of five children, and the king then returned to Theresa, to whose daughters he left his kingdom in his will.
Children
Alfonso's children by Theresa of Portugal were:- 1) Ferdinand (ca. 1192-August 1214, aged around 22), unmarried and without issue
- 2) Sancha (ca. 1193-1270), unmarried and without issue
- 3) Dulce, also called Aldonza (1194/ca. 1195-ca./aft. 1243), unmarried and without issue
His eldest daughter, Sancha, was engaged to her cousin King Henry I of Castile
Henry I of Castile
Henry I of Castile was king of Castile. He was the son of Alfonso VIII of Castile and his wife Eleanor Plantagenet, ....
, but Henry died in 1217 before the marriage could be solemnized. After his heir, from his first marriage (Ferdinand of León) died in 1214, Alfonso wanted to dis-inherit the eldest son from his second marriage (Ferdinand III of Castile
Ferdinand III of Castile
Saint Ferdinand III, T.O.S.F., was the King of Castile from 1217 and León from 1230. He was the son of Alfonso IX of León and Berenguela of Castile. Through his second marriage he was also Count of Aumale. He finished the work done by his maternal grandfather Alfonso VIII and consolidated the...
). King Alfonso IX invited the former King Consort of Jerusalem John of Brienne
John of Brienne
John of Brienne was a French nobleman who became King of Jerusalem by marriage, and ruled the Latin Empire of Constantinople as regent.-Life:...
to marry his daughter Sancha and thus inherit the Leonese throne through her.
However, his former second wife, Queen Berengaria of Castile sabotaged this plan by convincing John of Brienne to marry her own daughter by Alfonso, Berengaria of León, instead.
Though unmarried and pious spinster, Sancha was the nominal heiress of León-Galicia on her father's death in 1230. Sancha was easily set aside by negotiations, including a good single woman dowry between the former first wife and the former second wife. Sancha became a nun at Cozollos, where she died in 1270; she was later beatified. Her sister Dulce-Aldonza spent her life with her mother in Portugal.
Alfonso's children by Berengaria of Castile were:
- 4) Eleanor (1198/1199-31 October 1210)
- 5) King Ferdinand III the SaintFerdinand III of CastileSaint Ferdinand III, T.O.S.F., was the King of Castile from 1217 and León from 1230. He was the son of Alfonso IX of León and Berenguela of Castile. Through his second marriage he was also Count of Aumale. He finished the work done by his maternal grandfather Alfonso VIII and consolidated the...
(1200–1252) - 6) Alfonso, 4th Lord of MolinaAlfonso of MolinaAlfonso of León, Lord of Molina was a Prince of León and Castile, the son of King Alfonso IX of León and his second wife Queen Berengaria of Castile. He was the brother of King Ferdinand III of Castile and León, and father of Queen Maria of Molina, wife of King Sancho IV...
(1203–1272) - 7) Berengaria of León (1204–1237), married John of BrienneJohn of BrienneJohn of Brienne was a French nobleman who became King of Jerusalem by marriage, and ruled the Latin Empire of Constantinople as regent.-Life:...
- 8) Constance (1 May 1200 or 1205-7 September 1242), became a nun at Las Huelgas, BurgosBurgosBurgos is a city of northern Spain, historic capital of Castile. It is situated at the edge of the central plateau, with about 178,966 inhabitants in the city proper and another 20,000 in its suburbs. It is the capital of the province of Burgos, in the autonomous community of Castile and León...
, where she died
Alfonso also fathered many illegitimate children, some fifteen further children born out of wedlock are documented.
Alfonso's children by Aldonza Martínez de Silva (daughter of Martin Gomez de Silva & Urraca Rodriguez), later married to Diego Froilaz, Count of Cifuentes:
- 9) Pedro Alfonso of León, 1st Lord of TenorioTenórioTenório is a town and municipality in the state of Paraíba in the Northeast Region of Brazil.-References:...
(ca. 1196/ca. 1200-1226), Grand Master of Santiago, married N de Villarmayor, and had issue - 10) Alfonso Alfonso of León, died yong
- 11) Fernando Alfonso of León, died young
- 12) Rodrigo Alfonso of León (ca. 1210-ca. 1267), 1st Lord of AligerAligerAliger is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Strombidae, the true conchs.Aliger has become a synonym of Lobatus Swainson, 1837.-Species:Species within the genus Aliger include:...
and Governor of ZamoraZamora, SpainZamora is a city in Castile and León, Spain, the capital of the province of Zamora. It lies on a rocky hill in the northwest, near the frontier with Portugal and crossed by the Duero river, which is some 50 km downstream as it reaches the Portuguese frontier...
, married ca. 1240 to Inés Rodriguez de Cabrera (ca. 1200-), and had issue - 13) Teresa Alfonso of León (ca. 1210-), wife of Nuno Gonzalez de Lara, el Bueno, señor de Lara
- 14) Aldonza Alonso of León (ca. 1212/ca. 1215-1266), wife, first, of Diego Ramírez Froilaz, nephew of her stepfather, without issue, and, second, of Pedro Ponce de Cabrera, (ca. 1210-), and had issue, ancestors of the Ponce de LeónPonce de León-People:* Juan Ponce de León, a Spanish explorer of the Americas and first Governor of Puerto Rico* Juan Ponce de León y Loayza, the son of Juan Ponce de León II, and early settler of Ponce, Puerto Rico...
family.
Alfonso's child by Inés Iñíguez de Mendoza (born c. 1180) (daughter of Lope Iñiguez de Mendoza, 1st Lord of Mendoza (ca. 1140-1189) and wife Teresa Ximénez de los Cameros (ca. 1150-)):
- 15) Urraca Alfonso of León (ca. 1190/ca. 1197-), first wife ca. 1230 of Lopo II Díaz de Haro (1192-15 December 1236), 6th Sovereign Lord of Viscaya and had issue, including Mécia Lopes de HaroMécia Lopes de HaroMécia Lopes de Haro was Castilian/Biscayan noblewoman, the wife successively of count Álvaro Pérez de Castro and of King Sancho II of Portugal. The subsequent annulment of her marriage by Pope Innocent IV has led to disagreement over whether she should be counted among the Queens consort of...
.
Alfonso's child by Estefánia Pérez de Limia, daughter of Pedro Arias de Limia and wife, subsequently wife of Rodrigo Suárez, Merino mayor of Galicia, had issue):
- 16) Fernando Alfonso of León (born c. 1211), died young
Alfonso's children by Maua, of unknown origin:
- 17) Fernando Alfonso of León (ca. 1215/1218/1220-SalamancaSalamancaSalamanca is a city in western Spain, in the community of Castile and León. Because it is known for its beautiful buildings and urban environment, the Old City was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. It is the most important university city in Spain and is known for its contributions to...
, 1278/1279), ArchdeanArchdeanArchdean is a discontinued Catholic ecclesiastical officeEven in the 20th century it was maintained as a dignity among the canons of a cathedral chapters, occasionally alongside a dean .* Not to be confused with Archdeacon...
of Santiago, married to Aldara de Ulloa and had issue
Alfonso's children by Teresa Gil de Soverosa (born c. 1170) (daughter of Dom Gil Vasques de Soverosa & first wife Maria Aires de Fornelos):
- 18) María Alfonso of León (ca. 1190/1200/1222-aft. 1252), married as his second wife Soeiro Aires de Valadares (ca. 1140-) and had issue and Álvaro Fernández de Lara (ca. 1200-) and had female issue, later mistressMistress (lover)A mistress is a long-term female lover and companion who is not married to her partner; the term is used especially when her partner is married. The relationship generally is stable and at least semi-permanent; however, the couple does not live together openly. Also the relationship is usually,...
of her nephew Alfonso X of CastileAlfonso X of CastileAlfonso X was a Castilian monarch who ruled as the King of Castile, León and Galicia from 1252 until his death... - 19) Sancha Alfonso of León (1210/ca. 1210-1270), a NunNunA nun is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life. She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent...
after divorcing without issue Simón Ruíz, Lord of Los Cameros - 20) Martín Alfonso of LeónDon Martín Alfonso de LeónMartín Alfonso de León was a Spanish nobleman.-Life:Martín Alfonso de León was an illegitimate son of Alfonso IX of León by Teresa Gil de Soverosa....
(ca. 1210/ca. 1225-1274/ca. 1275) - 21) Urraca Alfonso of León (ca. 1210/1228-aft.1252, married twice, first to García Romeu of Tormos, without issue, then Pedro Guillén de Guzmán
Alfonso's other illegitimate child, mother unknown:
- 22) Mayor Alfonso de León, married Rodrigo Gómez de Trava, without issue
Ancestry
Further reading
- Florez, EnriqueEnrique FlorezEnrique Flórez de Setién y Huidobro was a Spanish historian.Florez was born in Valladolid. At 15 years old, he entered the order of St Augustine. He subsequently became professor of theology at the University of Alcala, where he published a Cursus theologiae in five volumes...
. Reinas Catolicas, 1761 - Szabolcs de Vajay, "From Alfonso VIII to Alfonso X" in Studies in Genealogy and Family History in Tribute to Charles Evans on the Occasion of his Eightieth Birthday, 1989, pp. 366–417.
- Sánchez Rivera, Jesús Ángel, "Configuración de una iconografía singular: la venerable doña Sancha Alfonso, comendadora de Santiago", Anales de Historia del Arte, nº 18 (2008), Madrid, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, pp. 167–209.
|-