Blanche of Anjou facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Blanche of Anjou
Queen consort of Aragon
Tenure	1295–1310
Coronation	1296 (Zaragoza)
Born	1280
Died	14 October 1310(1310-10-14) (aged 29–30) Barcelona
Burial	Santes Creus.
Spouse	King James II of Aragon
Issue Among Others	James King Alfonso IV of Aragon Maria Isabella, Queen of Germany
House	Capetian House of Anjou
Father	King Charles II of Naples
Mother	Mary of Hungary
Religion	Roman Catholicism
Signature

Blanche and her family in a old book called Bible of Naples

Blanche of Anjou (born 1280 – died October 14, 1310) was a queen from a long time ago. She became the Queen of Aragon when she married King James II of Aragon. She was part of a powerful family called the Capetian House of Anjou. People also knew her as Blanche of Naples.

In 1310, when her husband King James II was away, Blanche took on an important role. She served as a "Queen-Lieutenant" or Regent of Aragon. This meant she ruled the kingdom in his place.

Blanche's Early Life and Family

Blanche was the daughter of King Charles II of Naples and Mary of Hungary. She had many brothers and sisters. Some of her siblings became kings and queens in other places. For example, her brother Robert I of Naples became a king, and her sister Eleanor became a queen too.

When she was younger, around 1290, Blanche was promised in marriage to John I, Marquess of Montferrat. Her father was helping him protect his land, hoping John would become his loyal supporter. However, this plan did not work out, and the marriage never happened. John later passed away in 1305.

Marriage to King James II

A new leader of the church, Pope Boniface VIII, helped arrange a marriage between Blanche and King James II of Aragon. This was part of a special agreement called the Treaty of Anagni. In this treaty, King James agreed to marry Blanche. In return, the Pope promised to give him control over the islands of Sardinia and Corsica. King James also agreed to let Blanche's family have control over Sicily and even help them if the people of Sicily caused trouble.

Blanche and James were married on October 29 or November 1, 1295, in a place called Vilabertran.

Later Life and Passing

Blanche passed away on October 14, 1310. This happened while she was acting as the ruler of Aragon because King James was away. Her death was likely connected to the birth of her daughter, Violante, who was born in October 1310. Blanche was buried in a place called Santes Creus. Her husband, children, and mother were still alive after she passed away.

Blanche's Children

Blanche and King James II had many children together. Here are some of them:

• James (born 1296 – died 1334): He was the oldest son. In 1319, he decided not to become king and instead became a monk. He also refused to marry Eleanor of Castile, who later married his younger brother, Alfonso.
• Alfonso IV of Aragon (born 1299 – died 1336): He became the King of Aragon in 1327 and ruled until he passed away. He married twice.
• Maria (born 1299 – died 1316): She became a nun. She married Infante Peter of Castile.
• Constance (born 1300 – died 1327): She married Juan Manuel, Prince of Villena.
• Isabella (born 1302 – died 1330): She married Frederick I of Austria.
• John (born 1304 – died 1334): He became an important church leader, serving as an Archbishop and later a Patriarch.
• Peter (born 1305 – died 1381): He was a Count. Peter married Jeanne and was the father of Eleanor, Queen of Cyprus.
• Blanche (born 1307 – died 1348): She became a Prioress, a leader in a religious community for women.
• Ramon Berenguer (born 1308 – died 1366): He was a Count and a priest. He married twice.
• Violante (born 1310 – died 1353): She married twice.

Sources

• Crónica de San Juan de la Peña

See also

In Spanish: Blanca de Anjou para niños