Isabel de la Cerda facts for kids

Isabel de la Cerda (born around 1329 in Seville – died after 1383) was an important noblewoman in Spain. She was the only surviving daughter of Luis de la Cerda and Leonor de Guzmán. Isabel was known as the Lady of Puerto de Santa María and also held the title of Princess of Fortuna. She belonged to a powerful family called the House de la Cerda.

Isabel's Early Life and Family

Isabel was born in Seville about 1329. She was the youngest of three children who lived to be adults. Her older brothers were Luis and Juan de la Cerda y Guzmán. She had five other brothers and sisters who sadly passed away when they were very young.

Isabel's grandfather was Alfonso de la Cerda. He was supposed to become king of Castile. However, his uncle, Sancho IV of Castile, became king instead. This meant Isabel's family had a special connection to the royal family, even though they didn't rule.

Marriages and Family Life

Isabel first got married in 1346 to Rodrigo Pérez Ponce de León. They were married until Rodrigo passed away before May 26, 1354. They did not have any children together.

Isabel's father died in 1348. On December 30, 1353, Isabel and her two brothers made an agreement about their father's property and wealth.

Isabel remained single for about fourteen years. Then, on September 15, 1370, she married again in Seville. Her second husband was Bernal de Foix. He was the son of a powerful French count, Gaston III, Count of Foix. After they married, Bernal was given the title of Count of Medinaceli.

Because Isabel's family had a claim to the throne of Castile, King Henry II of Castile gave her many large estates (pieces of land) on May 25, 1366. But there was a condition: Isabel had to promise that she and her future children would never try to claim the throne of Castile. The Medinaceli family, through Isabel and Bernal, gained a lot of land in the Spanish areas of Soria and Guadalajara.

Isabel and Bernal had two children:

• Gaston (born around 1371 – died 1404). He became the next Count of Medinaceli after his father.
• Maria (died 1381). She passed away when she was a child.

Isabel died sometime after 1383. She was buried at the Monastery of Santa María de Huerta. Bernal died in 1391, and their son Gaston became the new Count. Later, the county of Medinaceli was made into a Duchy (a higher noble title) by Isabella I of Castile.

See also

In Spanish: Isabel de la Cerda para niños