Dulce of Aragon facts for kids

Dulce of Aragon, also known as Dulce of Barcelona, was a queen in Portugal. She was married to King Sancho I of Portugal.

Life of Queen Dulce

Dulce was the oldest daughter of Queen Petronilla of Aragon and Count Ramon Berenguer IV of Barcelona. Her brother later became King Alfonso II of Aragon.

Becoming Queen

When Dulce was eleven, she was promised in marriage to infante Sancho. Sancho was the son of Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal. Their wedding took place in 1174. We don't know much about Dulce's life before she came to Portugal.

People described Dulce as a "beautiful and excellent lady." She was known for being quiet and modest. Her marriage was important for Portugal. It helped to make Portugal stronger. It also helped to stop the growth of other kingdoms like Castile and León. Dulce played the role expected of her. She was a good wife and mother to many children.

In 1185, King Afonso Henriques died. Dulce's husband, Sancho, then became the new king of Portugal. This made Dulce the Queen consort of Portugal. In 1188, King Sancho wrote his first will. He gave Queen Dulce income from several places. These included Alenquer, lands near the Vouga River, Santa Maria da Feira, and Oporto.

Later Life and Death

Dulce did not live long after her last two daughters were born. These daughters, Branca and Berengaria, were probably twins. Dulce died in 1198. She likely passed away from an illness, possibly the plague. Having many children also made her weaker. She was buried in the Monastery of Santa Cruz in Coimbra.

Children of Queen Dulce

Queen Dulce and King Sancho had eleven children together. Eight of them lived to be adults.

• Theresa (born 1175 or 1176 – died 1250). She married King Alfonso IX of León. She was later recognized as a saint in 1705.
• Sancha (born 1180 – died 1229). She started the Monastery of Celas near Coimbra. She lived there until she died. Her sister Theresa arranged for her to be buried at the Monastery of Lorvão. Sancha was also recognized as a saint in 1705.
• Constanza (born 1182 – died 1202). She likely died very young, before 1186.
• Afonso (born 1186 – died 1223). He became the third king of Portugal after his father.
• Raymond (born 1187 or 1188 – died before 1189). He died when he was a baby.
• Peter (born 1187 – died 1258). He married Aurembiaix, who was the countess of Urgell.
• Ferdinand (born 1188 – died 1233). He became a count by marrying Joan, Countess of Flanders.
• Henry (born after 1189 – died after 1189). He also died when he was a baby.
• Mafalda (born 1195 or 1196 – died 1256). She was the wife of Henry I of Castile. She was recognized as a saint in 1793.
• Branca (born 1198 – died 1240). She was probably Berengaria's twin sister. She lived at court with her father for a while. Later, she went to live with her sisters at the Monastery of Lorvão. She became a nun in Guadalajara. She was buried in the same monastery as her mother.
• Berengaria (born 1198 – died 1221). She was probably Branca's twin sister. She married Valdemar II of Denmark in 1214.

See also

In Spanish: Dulce de Aragón para niños