Constance of Sicily, Queen of Aragon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Constance II of Sicily |
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16th-century depiction
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| Queen consort of Aragon | |
| Tenure | 27 July 1276 – November 1285 |
| Queen regnant of Sicily | |
| Reign | 1282 – November 1285 |
| Predecessor | Conradin |
| Successor | James I |
| Born | c. 1249 Kingdom of Sicily |
| Died | 9 April 1302 (aged 52–53) Barcelona, Crown of Aragon |
| Burial | Barcelona Cathedral |
| Spouse | Peter III of Aragon |
| Issue | Alfonso III of Aragon James II of Aragon Elizabeth, Queen of Portugal Frederick III of Sicily Yolande, Duchess of Calabria Peter of Aragon |
| House | Hohenstaufen |
| Father | Manfred of Sicily |
| Mother | Beatrice of Savoy |
| Religion | Catholicism |
Constance II of Sicily (born around 1249 – died April 9, 1302) was an important queen in medieval times. She was the wife of Peter III of Aragon, which made her the Queen consort of Aragon. Constance also had a strong claim to the throne of Kingdom of Sicily. She was the only daughter of Manfred of Sicily and his first wife, Beatrice of Savoy.
Contents
Constance's Early Life and Marriage
Constance grew up with a special friend and helper named Bella d'Amichi. Bella stayed her close friend even when Constance became queen.
On June 13, 1262, Constance married Peter. He was the oldest son of James I of Aragon. This marriage was important because it connected two powerful royal families.
Becoming Queen of Aragon and Sicily
Constance's father, Manfred, was killed in a battle in 1266. He was fighting against his enemy, Charles of Anjou. After her father's death, Constance inherited his claim to the throne of Sicily. This meant she believed she was the rightful ruler of Sicily.
In 1276, Peter's father, King James I, passed away. Peter then became the new King of Aragon. This made Constance the Queen of Aragon.
The War for Sicily
A big conflict called the War of the Sicilian Vespers started in 1282. This war was about who should rule Sicily. Peter and Constance, and later their sons, fought for the Sicilian throne because of Constance's claim.
The war lasted for many years. It ended up splitting the Kingdom of Sicily into two parts. One part was called the Kingdom of Trinacria. Constance's children ruled this part. The other part was the Kingdom of Naples, ruled by the family of Charles of Anjou.
King Peter III died in November 1285. Constance later died in Barcelona in 1302. She had become a nun before her death.
Constance's Children
Constance and Peter III of Aragon had six children. They were:
- Alfonso III of Aragon (born November 4, 1265 – died June 18, 1291).
- James II of Aragon (born August 10, 1267 – died November 2, 1327).
- Elizabeth, Queen of Portugal (born around 1271 – died July 4, 1336). She married Denis of Portugal.
- Frederick III of Sicily (born December 13, 1272 – died June 25, 1337).
- Yolande, Duchess of Calabria (born around 1273 – died August 1302). She married Robert of Naples.
- Peter of Aragon (born around 1275 – died August 25, 1296). He married Guillemette of Béarn.
See also
In Spanish: Constanza II de Sicilia para niños
