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List of Castilian monarchs facts for kids

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This article is about the kings and queens who ruled the Kingdom and Crown of Castile. These powerful rulers shaped the history of a large part of what is now Spain. You'll learn about the different families, or "dynasties," that held the throne and some of the important things that happened during their reigns.

Coat of Arms of Castile with the Royal Crest
The royal symbol of Castile.

Meet the Rulers of Castile

This section introduces the kings and queens who led Castile through many centuries. They were part of different royal families, each leaving their own mark on history.

The Jiménez Family (Dynasty)

The Jiménez family was one of the first to rule Castile. They helped shape the early kingdom.

Monarch Image Nickname Started Ruling Ended Ruling Important Facts
Sancho II Sancho II de Castilla (Museo del Prado).jpg the Strong 27 December 1065 6 October 1072 He also ruled as King of León for a short time.
Alfonso VI El rey Alfonso VI de León (Museo del Prado).jpg the Brave 6 October 1072 30 June 1109 He also ruled as King of León.
Urraca Urraca I, reina de León (Museo del Prado).jpg the Reckless 30 June 1109 8 March 1126 She was also Queen of León.

The House of Ivrea

The rulers from the House of Ivrea were descendants of Queen Urraca's first husband, Raymond of Burgundy. This family saw Castile grow and become even stronger.

Royal Bend of Castile
The Royal Bend of Castile, a special symbol used by the monarchs since 1332.
Monarch Image Nickname Started Ruling Ended Ruling Important Facts
Alfonso VII Alfonso VII el Emperador, rey de Castilla y León.jpg The Emperor 10 March 1126 21 August 1157 He also ruled as King of León.
Sancho III Sancho III de Castilla (Museo del Prado).jpg The Desired 21 August 1157 31 August 1158  
Alfonso VIII Alfonso VIII de Castilla (Ayuntamiento de León).jpg The Noble 31 August 1158 6 October 1214 He won a very important battle, the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa, in 1212.
Henry I Enrique I de Castilla (Ayuntamiento de León).jpg   6 October 1214 6 June 1217  
Berengaria La reina Berenguela de Castilla (Museo del Prado).jpg The Great 6 June 1217 30 August 1217 She gave up her throne for her son, Ferdinand III.
Ferdinand III Fernando III el Santo, rey de Castilla y León (Museo del Prado).jpg The Saint 30 August 1217 30 May 1252 He also became King of León in 1230. After him, all kings ruled both Castile and León.
Alfonso X Alfonso X el Sabio (Museo del Prado).jpg The Wise 30 May 1252 4 April 1284 He was chosen as King of the Romans in 1257, a title he kept until 1275.
Sancho IV Sancho IV el Bravo (Museo del Prado).jpg The Brave 4 April 1284 25 April 1295  
Ferdinand IV María de Molina y Fernando IV de Castilla. Detalle del cuadro de Gisbert.jpg The Summoned 25 April 1295 7 September 1312  
Alfonso XI Alfonso XI de Castilla (Museo del Prado).jpg The Just 7 September 1312 26 March 1350 He died from the Black Death during a siege.
Peter Retrato de Pedro I.jpg The Cruel 26 March 1350 23 March 1369 He was killed by his half-brother, Henry II.

The House of Trastámara

After Peter's death, there was a fight over who should be the next king. Peter's half-brother, Henry of Trastámara, took the throne by force. He started the new ruling family, the House of Trastámara. Henry II was the son of Alfonso XI.

Arms of the Crown Castile with the Royal Crest
The royal symbol of the Crown of Castile during the time of John II.
Monarch Image Nickname Started Ruling Ended Ruling Important Facts
Henry II Enrique II de Castilla (Ayuntamiento de León).jpg The Bastard 23 March 1369 29 May 1379 He also claimed the throne from 1366.
John I JuanIdeCastilla.JPG   29 May 1379 9 October 1390  
Henry III Enrique III de Castilla (Museo del Prado).jpg The Infirm 9 October 1390 25 December 1406  
John II El rey Juan II de Castilla (Museo del Prado).jpg   25 December 1406 21 July 1454  
Henry IV Enrique IV de Castilla (Museo del Prado).jpg The Impotent 21 July 1454 11 December 1474  
Isabella I IsabellaofCastile03.jpg The Catholic 11 December 1474 26 November 1504 She ruled with her husband, Ferdinand, who became King of Castile because he was her husband.
Ferdinand V Michel Sittow 004.jpg The Catholic 15 January 1475 26 November 1504 He also became King of Aragon in 1479. This helped create a united country called Spain.
Joanna Juan de Flandes 003.jpg The Mad 26 November 1504 12 April 1555 She ruled in name with her husband, Philip I, and later with her father and son. She was often kept in confinement.

The House of Habsburg

The House of Habsburg took over the throne of Castile. This family was very powerful across Europe.

Coat of Arms of Philip I of Castile (Chivalric)
The symbol of Philip I.
Monarch Image Nickname Started Ruling Ended Ruling Important Facts
Philip I Juan de Flandes (^), , Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, Gemäldegalerie - Philipp der Schöne (1478-1506) - GG 3872 - Kunsthistorisches Museum.jpg The Handsome 26 November 1504 25 September 1506 He was king because he was married to Queen Joanna I.
Charles I Titian - Portrait of Charles V Seated - WGA22964.jpg The Emperor 13 March 1516 16 January 1556 He ruled with his mother, Joanna I, who was in confinement. He gave up his throne in 1556.
Philip II Portrait of Philip II of Spain (by Workshop of Titian) - Museo del Prado, Madrid.jpg The Prudent 16 January 1556 13 September 1598 He was the son of Charles I.
Philip III Felipe III de España.jpg The Pious 13 September 1598 31 March 1621 He was the son of Philip II.
Philip IV Philip IV of Spain - Velázquez 1644.jpg The Great 31 March 1621 17 September 1665 He was the son of Philip III.
Charles II Rey Carlos II.jpg The Bewitched 17 September 1665 1 November 1700 He was the son of Philip IV.

The House of Bourbon

The House of Bourbon took over after the War of Spanish Succession. With their rule, the Crown of Castile became fully part of the Spanish Crown.

Full Ornamented Royal Coat of Arms of Spain (1700-1761)
The symbol of Philip V.
Monarch Image Nickname Started Ruling Ended Ruling Important Facts
Philip V Felipe V de España, Rey de.jpg 1 November 1700 1715 (Nueva Planta decrees dissolve the Crown of Castile) He was the Duke of Anjou and a relative of Charles II.

The Crown of Castile had its own laws and identity within the Spanish Crown until the Bourbon family came to power. This happened after a big conflict called the War of Spanish Succession.

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