Agalbursa facts for kids

Agalbursa (also known as Agalburga or Galbors) was an important noblewoman who lived in the 12th century. She was born between 1148 and 1155 and passed away sometime after 1186. Agalbursa came from a powerful family in Catalonia, a region in Spain. Her father was Ponce de Cervera, who held the title of Viscount of Bas. A viscount was a type of noble ruler, and Ponce de Cervera was a very influential person, often called a "magnate." Her mother was Almodis, who was the daughter of Raymond Berengar III of Barcelona, a powerful count.

Agalbursa became the second wife of Barisone II of Arborea. Barisone was a ruler of a kingdom called the Giudicato of Arborea, which was located on the island of Sardinia.

Family Life and Connections

Agalbursa had a daughter named Susanna, though it's not certain if she was her only child. Her family was connected to other important people through marriage.

Marriages and Children

Agalbursa's stepdaughter, Ispella (who was Barisone's daughter from his first marriage), married Agalbursa's brother, Hugh I of Bas. Hugh was born around 1150 and died around 1179. Ispella and Hugh had a son named Hugh I of Arborea. This shows how noble families often married each other to create strong alliances and connections.

A Powerful Queen

When her husband, Barisone II, died in 1186, Agalbursa was still a very influential figure. She signed an important document, called a charter, using the title Dei gratia Arboree Regina. This Latin phrase means "By the grace of God, Queen of Arborea," showing her high status and power.

Political Influence and Challenges

After Barisone's death, there was a disagreement about who should rule Arborea next. Barisone had an older son from his first marriage, named Peter de Serra. However, Agalbursa did not support Peter.

Supporting Her Nephew

Instead of Peter, Agalbursa wanted her own nephew, Hugh (the son of her brother Hugh I of Bas and her stepdaughter Ispella), to become the ruler of Arborea. She worked hard to make this happen.

Seeking Powerful Allies

To help her nephew, Agalbursa sought help from powerful allies. She got support from her cousin, Alfonso II of Aragon, who was a very important king in Spain. She also received help from the Republic of Genoa, which was a wealthy and powerful city-state in Italy known for its strong navy and trade. These alliances show how important family connections and political partnerships were in medieval times.

Later Life

It is possible that Agalbursa married a second time. Some historical records suggest she might have married a Catalan noble named Ramon de Montcada. He was a lord who controlled important towns like Tortosa and Lleida in Catalonia.