Constance of Castile facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Constance of Castile |
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| Queen consort of France | |
| Tenure | 1154 – 4 October 1160 |
| Coronation | 1154 |
| Born | 1136–1140 |
| Died | 4 October 1160 (aged 19–24) |
| Burial | Basilica of St Denis |
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| House | Castilian House of Ivrea |
| Father | Alfonso VII of León and Castile |
| Mother | Berenguela of Barcelona |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
Constance of Castile (born between 1136 and 1140 – died October 4, 1160) was a queen of France. She became queen when she married Louis VII. She was his second wife.
Constance was the daughter of Alfonso VII of León and Berengaria of Barcelona. Her exact birth year is not known.
Becoming Queen of France
Louis VII had been married before to Eleanor of Aquitaine. Their marriage was ended by the Church. This is called an annulment. The Church said they were too closely related to be married.
However, Louis VII was even more closely related to Constance. They were second cousins. This means their great-grandparents were siblings. They shared a common ancestor, William I, Count of Burgundy.
Life and Family
Constance and Louis VII were married in 1154. She was Queen of France for about six years.
Constance gave birth to two daughters. Sadly, she died while giving birth to her second child. She was between 19 and 24 years old.
Louis VII wanted a son to be his heir. So, he married again very quickly after Constance died. He remarried just five weeks later.
Constance was buried in the Basilica of Saint-Denis in Paris. This is a famous church where many French kings and queens are buried.
Constance's Children
Constance had two daughters with Louis VII:
- Margaret (born 1157, died 1197). She first married Henry the Young King of England. Later, she married Béla III of Hungary.
- Alys (born 1160, died 1220). She married William IV of Ponthieu.
See also
- In Spanish: Constanza de Castilla (1136-1160) para niños
