Alfonso IV of Aragon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alfonso IV |
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Seal of Alfonso IV
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| King of Aragon (more...) | |
| Reign | 2/5 November 1327 – 24 January 1336 |
| Predecessor | James II |
| Successor | Peter IV |
| Born | 2 November 1299 Naples |
| Died | 24 January 1336 (aged 36) Barcelona |
| Spouse | Teresa d'Entença Eleanor of Castile |
| Issue | Alfonso Constance, Queen of Majorca Peter IV, King of Aragon James I, Count of Urgell |
| House | House of Barcelona |
| Father | James II of Aragon |
| Mother | Blanche of Anjou |
Alfonso IV, also known as the Kind (or the Gentle), was a king who ruled from 1327 to 1336. He was born on November 2, 1299, and died on January 24, 1336. He was the King of Aragon and Count of Barcelona. During his time as king, several new areas became part of his kingdom. These included the County of Urgell, the Duchy of Athens, and the Duchy of Neopatria.
About Alfonso IV
Alfonso was born in Naples. He was the second son of King James II and Blanche of Anjou. When he was 14, in 1314, he married Teresa d'Entença y Cabrera. She was also 14 years old.
Teresa was the heir to Urgell. Her great-uncle, Ermengol X, had no children. He agreed to make Alfonso his heir if Alfonso married Teresa. Alfonso and his father quickly agreed. The wedding was in 1314 in Lerida. People said Alfonso spent a lot of money on the wedding. Local leaders had to limit how much he could spend. Alfonso and Teresa had seven children together.
Alfonso became the heir to the throne in 1319. This happened after his older brother, James, decided to become a monk. Before he was king, Alfonso helped manage the Crown's affairs. From 1323 to 1324, he led the conquest of Sardinia.
In 1327, Alfonso's father and his first wife, Teresa, both died. Teresa died on October 20, 1327, after childbirth. King James II died on November 2, 1327. Alfonso then became king. In 1329, he started a long war with the Republic of Genoa. The city of Sassari had joined Alfonso in 1323. But it rebelled three times. Genoa also wanted Sassari, which led to the long war.
In February 1329, Alfonso married Eleanor of Castile. She was the sister of King Alfonso XI of Castile. Eleanor had been briefly married to Alfonso's older brother James. That marriage was canceled because James refused to live with her. Eleanor then went to a convent, but she never became a nun. In December of that year, Alfonso and Eleanor had a son, Ferdinand. Five years later, they had another son, John.
Eleanor wanted her own sons to have important lands. She asked Alfonso to give large territories to them. On December 28, 1329, Alfonso gave his new son Ferdinand many lands. These included the Marquisate of Tortosa and cities like Albarracín and Alicante. Eleanor's younger son, John, also received several lordships. These included Elche and Biel. Eleanor herself received the city of Huesca when she married Alfonso.
The king also tried to give lands in the Kingdom of Valencia to Ferdinand. But the people there protested. So, the king canceled these plans. Giving away these lands reduced the Crown's property. This mainly affected Peter, Alfonso's son from his first marriage. Peter was too young to protest much. However, this issue caused disagreements among the nobles.
Alfonso died in January 1336. He was only 36 years old. His son, Peter IV, became king. Peter was 16 years old at the time.
Children
Alfonso had children with two wives:
By Teresa d'Entença:
- Alfonso (1315–1317)
- Constance (1318–1346). She married James III of Majorca in 1336.
- Peter IV (1319–1387). He became the next king.
- James I, Count of Urgell (1321–1347). He also inherited Entença and Antillon.
- Elizabeth (1323–1327).
- Frederick (1325-died young).
- Sancho (1327). He lived only a few days.
By Eleanor of Castile:
- Ferdinand (1329–1363). He was the Marquis of Tortosa. He was killed by order of his half-brother, Peter IV.
- John (1331–1358). He was the Lord of Elche. He was killed by order of his cousin, Pedro of Castile.
See also
In Spanish: Alfonso IV de Aragón para niños
