Alfonso de la Cerda facts for kids

Alfonso de la Cerda (born in Valladolid in 1270, died in Ávila in 1333) was known as "the Disinherited". He was the older son of Ferdinand de la Cerda and Blanche of France. Alfonso was also the grandson of King Alfonso X of Castile.

Alfonso and his brother Fernando were considered possible kings of Castile and León. This happened during the reigns of Sancho IV of Castile, Ferdinand IV of Castile, and Alfonso XI of Castile. In 1331, Alfonso gave up his claim to the throne. He promised loyalty to Alfonso XI of Castile.

His Life Story

When Alfonso's father, Ferdinand de la Cerda, died in 1275, Alfonso's grandmother, Violant of Aragon, took him and his baby brother Fernando to Aragon. They stayed there for 13 years in a strong castle called Xàtiva.

Alfonso's grandfather, King Alfonso X of Castile, had planned to divide his kingdom. He wanted Sancho to get Castile and Alfonso to get León. But after King Alfonso X died in 1284, Sancho took the throne of León unfairly. He became King Sancho IV.

In September 1288, King Alfonso III of Aragon set Alfonso de la Cerda free. He even declared Alfonso the king of Castile and León. But even with this help, Alfonso could not get the throne back.

In 1304, there was an agreement called the Treaty of Torrellas. As part of this treaty, James II of Aragon and Ferdinand IV of Castile agreed that Alfonso would give up all his claims to the throne of León. In return, he was given the titles of Lord of Alba, Bejar, and Gibraleón. He also received other lands and money spread across Castile and León. This was done so Alfonso de la Cerda could not create his own large, independent kingdom.

Later, Charles IV of France gave Alfonso de la Cerda the title of Baron de Lunel. Lunel is a town in France.

His Death

When Alfonso de la Cerda died, his body was buried in the Monastery of Santa María la Real de Las Huelgas de Burgos.

Family and Children

In 1290, Alfonso married Matilde of Brienne. She was the daughter of John I of Brienne. They had seven children:

• Alfonso de la Cerda (1289 - 1327), also called of Spain. He was a church leader in Paris and later Baron de Lunel. He was the father of Charles de la Cerda, who became the Count of Angoulême and a high military leader in France.
• Henry de La Cerda (1290 - after 1326). He also became a church leader in Paris.
• Luis de la Cerda (1291 - 1348). He was the Count of Clermont and Talmont, and a high naval leader in France. He was also named the main ruler of the Canary Islands.
• Margarita de la Cerda (1293 - after 1328). She was Lady of Lemos and Sarri. She married Prince Philip of Castile.
• Juan Alfonso de la Cerda (1295 - 1347). He was Lord of Gibraleón, Huelva, and other lands. He married Maria Alfonso de Portugal.
• Maria de la Cerda (1305 - before 1355). She was Lady of Villafranca de Valcárcel. She married Alfonso Melendez de Guzman.
• Inés de la Cerda (1307 - 1339). She was Lady of Bembibre. She married Fernán Rodríguez de Villalobos.

See also

In Spanish: Alfonso de la Cerda para niños