Blanca of Navarre, Queen of Castile facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blanca |
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| Born | after 1133 Laguardia, Álava |
| Died | 12 August 1156 |
| Spouse | Sancho III of Castile |
| House | Jiménez |
| Father | García Ramírez of Navarre |
| Mother | Margaret of L'Aigle |
Blanca (also known as Blanka Garzeitz or Blanca Garcés) was a queen of Castile. She was born after 1133 in Laguardia, Álava. Blanca was the daughter of King García Ramírez of Navarre and his first wife, Margaret of L'Aigle. She became queen by marrying Sancho III of Castile.
Life and Marriage
Blanca married Sancho III of Castile on February 4, 1151. The wedding took place in Carrión de los Condes, Palencia. Sancho was the regent of Castile at the time, meaning he ruled for his father, Alfonso VII.
Their marriage was a political arrangement. It helped create stronger connections between the kingdoms of León-Castile and Navarre. Queen Blanca often signed important documents with her husband. This helps historians track her activities until 1155.
Children and Death
On November 11, 1155, Queen Blanca gave birth to her son. This son would later become King Alfonso VIII of Castile. After December 1155, there are no more records of her activities.
Blanca died on August 12, 1156. It is believed she died due to problems from a new pregnancy. The child was a boy named García. She also had other children buried in the church of San Pedro in Soria. However, their names are not known.
Burial and Legacy
Blanca was buried in the royal burial place at the Monastery of Santa María la Real of Nájera. This monastery was a special place for the kings of Navarre. Her husband, Sancho, made donations to the monastery in her honor.
Her tomb once had an inscription saying she died because of pregnancy. This inscription was lost during a renovation in the 1500s. However, the lid of her stone coffin, called a sarcophagus, was saved. This lid shows Queen Blanca on her deathbed. Members of the royal court, including her husband, are shown mourning her.
The sarcophagus of Queen Blanca is very important. It is a great example of how artists in the 12th century could show human feelings in their artwork.
Images for kids
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Cover of the sarcophagus of Blanca of Navarre
