Isabella of Majorca facts for kids

Isabella of Majorca (in Catalan: Elisabet) (1337–1406) was a princess who was known as the "titular" Queen of Majorca. This means she had the royal title, but she didn't actually rule the kingdom. She was also the Countess of Roussillon and Cerdanya from 1375 until her death. She was the last person to hold the title of monarch of Majorca.

Life Story of Isabella

Isabella's Early Life

Isabella was born in 1337. Her father was James III of Majorca, and her mother was Constance of Aragon. Her grandparents were also important rulers. After her mother passed away, her father married again to Violante of Vilaragut. Isabella had a half-sister named Esclaramunda, but she died when she was very young.

Isabella's father lost his kingdom in 1343. He died in a battle in 1349 against Peter IV of Aragon, who was Isabella's uncle. After the battle, Isabella, her brother, and her stepmother were captured by King Peter. Some stories say that people were angry and helped Isabella and her brother escape from prison. Other sources say she was kept in a convent in Valencia with her stepmother. She was finally set free in 1358 or 1359. To gain her freedom, she had to give up her claims to the kingdom of Majorca.

Her Brother's Claim to the Throne

On September 4, 1358, Isabella married John II Palaiologos. Their wedding took place in Montpellier. Isabella's stepmother, who was living at the court of Montferrat, helped arrange this marriage.

Isabella and her brother were very close. She even went with him when he tried to take back Roussillon. Her brother, James, was captured by Henry II of Castile. But with help from her sister-in-law, Isabella was able to pay a ransom to free him in 1370.

Isabella Becomes Titular Queen

Isabella was described as a very tall woman. When her brother, James IV of Majorca, died in 1375, she inherited his titles. This meant she became the "titular" Queen of the Kingdom of Majorca. It is said that her brother died in her arms.

Even though she had the title, Isabella could never truly take back the lands she claimed. She tried to make Louis I, who was a "titular" king of Sicily, her heir in 1375. However, she later sold her rights to Majorca to Louis. In return, she received money every year and a place to live. Louis wanted to add Roussillon to his lands to protect against the Aragonese kingdom. Louis's family continued to use the title of King of Majorca, but they never tried to conquer the island.

In 1375, Isabella married again in secret. Her second husband was Konrad of Reischach and Jungnau. They had a son named Michael. Later, Isabella and Konrad separated.

Isabella's children were not interested in becoming kings of Majorca. However, her only daughter, Margaret, agreed to claim her rights for her son, James II of Urgell. This was so he could potentially become the future king of Majorca.

Isabella passed away in France around the year 1406.

Isabella's Children

Isabella had five children with her first husband, John:

• Otto III of Montferrat (1358–1378)
• John III of Montferrat (1360–1381)
• Theodore II of Montferrat (1364–1418)
• William (1365–1400)
• Margaret (around 1365-1420), who married Peter II of Urgell in 1375.

With her second husband, Konrad, she had one son:

• Michael of Reischach and Jungnau

See also

In Spanish: Isabel de Mallorca para niños