House of Barcelona facts for kids

The House of Barcelona was a powerful family of rulers in the Middle Ages. They ruled the County of Barcelona without interruption from the year 878. Later, they also ruled the Crown of Aragon starting in 1137. They became kings of Aragon in 1162. Their rule lasted until 1410.

This family came from the Bellonids, who were the descendants of Wilfred the Hairy. The House of Barcelona gradually gained control of most of the Catalan counties. By the 13th century, they had created a large territory called the Principality of Catalonia. They joined this territory with the Kingdom of Aragon through a marriage. They also conquered many other lands and kingdoms. Their main family line ended in 1410 with the death of Martin the Humanist, who was the last male ruler from the main branch.

Even after that, other smaller branches of the family, called "cadet branches," continued to rule places like Urgell and Gandia. Other branches of the family had also ruled Ausona at different times from 878 to 1111. They also ruled Provence from 1112 to 1245, and Sicily from 1282 to 1409. After a special agreement called the Compromise of Caspe in 1412, the Crown of Aragon passed to a different family, the House of Trastámara. This new family was related to the House of Barcelona through Eleanor, a princess from the House of Barcelona.

Important Titles and Lands They Ruled

The House of Barcelona held many important titles over the centuries. These titles showed which lands they ruled. Here are some of the main ones and when they started to rule them:

• Count of Urgell (870–992)
• Count of Barcelona (878–1410)
• Count of Girona (878–1410)
• Count of Ausona (1111–1410)
• Count of Besalú (1111–1410)
• Count of Provence (1112–1245)
• Count of Berga (1118–1410)
• Count of Cerdagne (1118–1410)
• Count of Conflent (1118–1410)
• Prince of Aragon (1137–1162)
• King of Aragon (1162–1410)
• Count of Roussillon (1172–1410)
• Count of Pallars Jussà (1192–1410)
• Lord of Montpellier (1204–1249)
• King of Valencia (1238–1410)
• King of Majorca (1276–1410)
• King of Sicily (1282–1410)
• King of Sardinia and Corsica (1297–1410)
• Duke of Athens (1312–1388)
• Count of Urgell (1314–1413)
• Duke of Neopatria (1319–1390)

Family Connections of the House of Barcelona

This family tree shows how different members of the House of Barcelona were related to each other. It also shows how they connected with other important families through marriage.

See also

In Spanish: Casa de Barcelona para niños

• Royal House of Aragon