Berengaria of Castile, Lady of Guadalajara facts for kids

Berengaria of Castile (born in Seville in 1253 – died in Guadalajara in 1300) was a princess, known as an Infanta, of Castile. She was also the Lady of Guadalajara in her own right. Berengaria was the oldest child of King Alfonso X of Castile and Violante of Aragon. She was likely named after her great-grandmother, Queen Berengaria of Castile.

As the first-born daughter, Berengaria was expected to inherit the throne. This was true until her brother, Fernando de la Cerda, was born. Her grandparents were King Ferdinand III of Castile and Elisabeth of Swabia, and King James I of Aragon and Yolande of Hungary.

Berengaria's Early Life and Royal Plans

Berengaria was born in Seville in late 1253. She spent her first years there, cared for by a nobleman named Don Romero. In 1254, during a meeting of nobles and church leaders in Toledo, she was officially recognized as the next in line to the throne. This was because King Alfonso X did not yet have a son.

Later in 1254, Queen Violante gave birth to a second daughter, Beatrice. King Alfonso X then seriously considered that Berengaria might become queen. Because of this, he started talks to arrange her marriage to Louis. Louis was the oldest son and heir of King Louis IX of France.

Changes in Succession

On May 5, 1255, a big meeting was held in Palencia. Its main goal was to confirm Berengaria as the heir to the throne. However, on October 23, 1255, her brother Ferdinand was born. As a son, he took Berengaria's place in the line of succession. He became the direct heir to the throne.

The engagement between Berengaria and Louis of France had been formally agreed upon in Paris on August 20, 1255. Even though Ferdinand was born, the plans for her marriage continued. However, this marriage never happened because young Louis died on January 11, 1260.

Later Life and Inheritance

In his will, written on January 10, 1284, King Alfonso X made sure his oldest daughter, Berengaria, was taken care of. He confirmed that she should keep all the lands and goods he had given her. These had been taken from her by her brother, who would later become King Sancho IV.

King Alfonso X also ordered that if Berengaria could not get her possessions back, she should receive income from the cities of Écija and Jerez de la Frontera. Or, she could receive money equal to the income from one of these cities, paid from the income of Seville. When Berengaria died, this income would go to her brother, John of Castile, Lord of Valencia de Campos.

Some stories say that Berengaria refused a marriage offer from the Sultan of Egypt. She did this because he was not a Christian. Instead, she became a nun at the Abbey of Santa María la Real de Las Huelgas in Burgos. This abbey was founded by King Alfonso VIII of Castile to be a burial place for the Castilian royal family.

Most sources say Berengaria died in Guadalajara in 1300. But other sources claim she died at the Monastery of San Clemente in Seville. They say her body was moved there in 1303 by her nephew, King Ferdinand IV of Castile.

Where is Berengaria Buried?

There is some debate about where Berengaria's body is actually buried. Three different places claim to be her final resting place.

Convent of Santa Clara of Toro

At the Convent of Santa Clara of Toro, which Berengaria herself founded, there is a special wooden urn. It is held up by three lions on one side of the church's main chapel. On the urn, the royal family's symbols are painted. Verses are written on the sides, which say:

On this shelf is covered in mourning, Infanta and Lady of Guadalajara, King Alfonso and his wise and dear wife Violante, a wise monarch of powerful wars. This lady founded Santa Clara.

A special document from King John II of Castile confirms that Berengaria's remains were placed in this convent. The remains inside the urn were even checked in 1772.

Monastery of Santo Domingo el Real, Madrid

However, other documents suggest her remains were later moved to the Monastery of Santo Domingo el Real in Madrid. Berengaria had given the city of Guadalajara to this monastery. In 1869, before the Monastery of Santo Domingo was torn down, a witness saw a tombstone. It was in front of the tomb of Infanta Constance, another royal princess. The tombstone for Berengaria read:

HERE LIES THE VERY HIGH AND POWERFUL LADY THE INFANTA BERENGARIA, DAUGHTER OF THE KING ALONSO, INTITULATED THE EMPEROR.

The burial spot in the Monastery of Santo Domingo el Real in Madrid was opened on April 23, 1869. Those present said that "the corpse has also been found, also mummified, with a very curious headdress and wrapped in luxurious silk clothing." After being examined, the remains were put back. But when the building was demolished in 1869, the bodies of both Berengaria and Constance were moved. They were taken to the crypt of the Church of San Antonio de los Alemanes in Madrid, where they are believed to rest today.

Royal Monastery of San Clemente, Seville

Despite all this, some sources still say that Berengaria was buried in the Royal Monastery of San Clemente in Seville. This is the same place where Queen María of Portugal, wife of King Alfonso XI of Castile, was also buried.

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