Alfonso IX of León facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alfonso IX |
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Depiction on the Tumbo A cartulary of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
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| King of León and Galicia | |
| Reign | 22 January 1188 – 24 September 1230 |
| Predecessor | Ferdinand II |
| Successor | Sancha and Dulce (de jure) Ferdinand III (de facto) |
| Born | 15 August 1171 Zamora |
| Died | 23/24 September 1230 (aged 59) Villanueva de Sarria |
| Burial | Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela |
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| Issue among others... |
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| House | Castilian House of Ivrea |
| Father | Ferdinand II of León and Galicia |
| Mother | Urraca of Portugal |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
Alfonso IX (born August 15, 1171 – died September 23 or 24, 1230) was a powerful king who ruled the kingdoms of León and Galicia in what is now Spain. He became king in 1188 after his father, Ferdinand II of León, passed away. Alfonso IX ruled until his own death in 1230.
He is remembered for making important changes to his kingdom. He helped create a more modern and fair government. One of his biggest achievements was starting the University of Salamanca in 1212, which is still a famous university today. In 1188, he called a special meeting called the Cortes of León. This meeting was very important because it included representatives from different parts of society, not just nobles and clergy. This was a big step towards democracy in Europe.
Alfonso IX also played a role in the Reconquista, which was the effort to take back lands from Muslim rule in the Iberian Peninsula. He conquered areas like Extremadura, including the cities of Cáceres and Badajoz.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Alfonso IX was born in a city called Zamora. He was the only son of King Ferdinand II of León and Urraca of Portugal. His grandfather, Alfonso VII of León and Castile, had divided his kingdoms between his sons. This division caused some conflicts within the royal family for a while. Later, Alfonso IX's own son, Ferdinand III of Castile, would reunite these kingdoms.
Alfonso IX's Reign
Becoming king was not easy for Alfonso IX. In July 1188, his cousin, Alfonso VIII of Castile, wanted Alfonso IX to recognize him as a higher ruler. In return, the cousin would accept Alfonso IX's rule in León.
The Cortes of León
One of the most important events during Alfonso IX's time as king was the meeting of the Cortes de León. This meeting took place in the Basilica of San Isidoro. At the start of his reign, the kingdom faced money problems. This forced Alfonso to raise taxes on ordinary people, which led to protests and even some small revolts in towns.
To address these issues, the king called the Cortes. This assembly included nobles, church leaders, and importantly, representatives from the cities. They demanded that the king spend money more carefully and allow them to have more control over royal spending. Many historians believe that Alfonso's decision to call the Cortes was a key moment in the development of democratic parliaments across Europe. While Iceland had an earlier parliament called the Þingvellir in 930 AD, the Cortes of León in 1188 happened before the first session of the Parliament of England.
Challenges with the Church
Despite his efforts to create a more democratic system and found a university, Alfonso IX is also known for the problems his marriages caused with the Pope. The church had strict rules about marrying close relatives.
His first marriage was in 1191 to Theresa of Portugal. She was his first cousin. They had two daughters and a son who died young. The Pope's representative declared this marriage invalid because they were too closely related according to church law.
Later, after his cousin Alfonso VIII of Castile lost a battle, Alfonso IX invaded Castile with the help of Muslim soldiers. Because of this, Pope Celestine III removed him from the church (excommunicated him).
In 1197, Alfonso IX married his first cousin once removed, Berengaria of Castile. This marriage was meant to help create peace between León and Castile. However, because they were also close relatives, the Pope declared this second marriage invalid in 1198. Despite this, they stayed together until 1204. The Pope's decision to annul this marriage led Alfonso to attack his cousin again in 1204. However, later peace treaties in 1205, 1207, and 1209 forced Alfonso to give up some lands and rights. The treaty from 1207 is important because it is the first public document written in the Castilian dialect.
The Pope eventually had to change some of his strict rules. This was because people might stop supporting the church if they couldn't receive religious services. The king himself remained excommunicated, but he didn't seem to mind much, and his own clergy supported him.
In 1211, Alfonso IX gave the castle of Alcañices to the Templar Order, a famous group of warrior monks.
Marriages and Children
Alfonso IX married twice. Both of his marriages were to close relatives, and both were later declared invalid by the Pope due to church rules about family relationships.
Legitimate Children
In 1191, Alfonso married his first cousin, Theresa of Portugal. She was the daughter of King Sancho I of Portugal. This marriage was annulled five years later, but they had three children:
- Sancha (born 1191 – died before 1243). She became a nun.
- Ferdinand (born 1192/1193 – died 1214). He died young.
- Dulce (born 1193/1194 – died 1248).
On November 17, 1197, Alfonso IX married his first cousin once removed, Berengaria of Castile. She was the daughter of King Alfonso VIII of Castile. This marriage was also annulled by the Pope, but they had five children:
- Eleanor (born 1198 – died 1202).
- Constance (died 1242). She became a nun.
- Ferdinand III of Castile (born 1199/1201 – died 1252). He became King of Castile in 1217 and King of León in 1230, uniting the two kingdoms.
- Alfonso (died 1272).
- Berengaria of León (died 1237). She married John of Brienne.
Death and Legacy
Alfonso IX of León and Galicia died on September 24, 1230. His death was very important for the history of Spain. His son, Ferdinand III of Castile, was already the King of Castile. Thanks to the smart negotiations of Ferdinand's mother, Berengaria, Alfonso's daughters from his first marriage agreed to give up their claims to the throne of León.
When Ferdinand III heard about his father's death, he immediately stopped a military campaign and traveled to León to be crowned king. This event united the Kingdoms of León and Castile, which then became a very powerful force in the Iberian Peninsula.
See also
In Spanish: Alfonso IX de León para niños
