María Díaz I de Haro facts for kids

The coat of arms of the House of Haro.

María Díaz I de Haro (born around 1270, died 1342) was an important Spanish noblewoman. People called her "the Good." She belonged to the powerful House of Haro. María is famous for being the Lady of Biscay. She spent much of her life fighting her uncle, Diego López V de Haro, to keep control of this important region. Her father, Lope Díaz III de Haro, was killed by order of the king.

Her Family and Early Life

María was the daughter of Lope Díaz III de Haro and Juana Alfonso de Molina. She had a brother named Diego López IV de Haro. Her grandparents were Diego López III de Haro and Constanza de Bearne. She was also the great-granddaughter of King Alfonso IX of León.

María became the Lady of Biscay because she was next in line. Her father, Lope Díaz III de Haro, died in 1288. Her older brother, Diego López IV de Haro, held the title for only one year before he also died in 1289.

First Time as Lady of Biscay

In 1287, María married John of Castile. He was a prince, the brother of King Sancho IV of Castile. On June 8, 1288, María's father was killed in Alfaro. This happened because of a big disagreement with King Sancho IV. María's husband, John, was also there and was put in prison.

After her father's death, the title of Biscay went to María's brother, Diego López IV. He had his own problems with supporters of the new young king, Ferdinand IV of Castile. He also had disputes with John of Castile. María became Lady of Biscay after her brother died. This first time as Lady of Biscay lasted from 1289 until 1295.

Losing Her Title

On April 25, 1295, King Sancho IV of Castile died. His son, Ferdinand IV of Castile, became king. Ferdinand was only nine years old. This caused a long period of trouble in the kingdom. Ferdinand's mother, María de Molina, ruled for him as regent.

María's uncle, Diego López V de Haro, used this time of trouble to his advantage. With help from James II of Aragon, he took control of Biscay. He stole the lordship from María and her husband, John of Castile. Diego López V faced little resistance. This was because María's husband, John, was still in prison. Because he took Biscay unfairly, Diego López V was called "the intrusive."

Once John was free, he immediately tried to get Biscay back. He joined with others who were unhappy with the queen regent, María de Molina. They also fought against Diego López V. Eventually, John and María got the Pope to agree that they were the rightful rulers of Biscay. In 1307, Diego "the intrusive" had to admit that María was the true heir. He agreed that she would get the title after he died. This happened in 1309.

Second Time as Lady of Biscay

In the early 1300s, Diego López V de Haro founded the city of Bilbao. He died in 1309 while fighting for King Ferdinand IV at the Siege of Algeciras.

When María became Lady of Biscay again, she immediately faced a challenge. Her cousin, Lope Díaz IV de Haro, wanted the title. Lope Díaz IV was the son of Diego López V. He had the support of King Ferdinand IV. This was because his father had served the king well. Also, María's husband, John of Castile, often had disagreements with the king.

However, Lope Díaz IV did not succeed. The Queen Mother, Maria de Molina, stepped in. She did not want another fight over Biscay. So, María Díaz I remained the Lady of Biscay and the head of the House of Haro.

In 1312, King Ferdinand IV died. María's husband, John, became a tutor for the young Prince Pedro. John tried to capture the city of Granada but failed. The Castilian army had to retreat. During this fight, both Prince Pedro and John of Castile were killed on June 26, 1319.

During her rule over Biscay, María did many important things. She confirmed the founding papers for Bilbao in 1310. She also founded new towns: Portugalete in 1322, Lekeitio in 1325, and Ondarroa in 1327.

In 1322, she founded a Dominican convent in Valencia de Don Juan. She then retired to Perales that same year. She gave the title of Lady of Biscay to her son, Juan de Haro "the one-eyed." Her second time as Lady of Biscay lasted from 1310 to 1322.

Her Son's Death and Her Return

Juan de Haro wanted to make Biscay even more powerful. He planned to marry the niece of the King of Aragon. Don Juan Manuel felt threatened by Juan's plans. He complained to King Alfonso XI of Castile. King Alfonso XI then ordered Juan's killing.

María was very upset. She had to come out of retirement and take back the title of Lady of Biscay.

Third Time as Lady of Biscay

After her son Juan was killed, King Alfonso XI tried to buy the rights to the Lordship of Biscay. But María was angry and refused to give up her power. In 1334, she gave up her title for a second time. This time, she gave it to her granddaughter, María Díaz II de Haro. María Díaz II was the daughter of her son Juan and his wife, Isabel de Portugal y Manuel. The young María Díaz II later married Juan Núñez IV de Lara. They ruled Biscay together in María Díaz II's name.

This third and final time as Lady of Biscay lasted from 1326 to 1334.

Death and What She Left Behind

María I Díaz de Haro died on October 3, 1342, from old age.

María always fought for what was best for Biscay. She even had several disagreements with the King of Castile. She is remembered for helping Biscay grow and develop. This is why she earned the nickname "the Good." Along with Maria de Molina, she was one of the most important and successful political women of her time.

Marriage and Children

María married John of Castile. They had the following children:

• Juan de Haro (died 1326) – He inherited everything from his mother and father. He married Isabel de Portugal y Manuel. She was the granddaughter of King Alfonso III of Portugal. Juan was killed in Toro in 1326 by order of King Alfonso XI of Castile.
• Lope Díaz de Haro (died 1295) – He died when he was a child.
• María Díaz de Haro (died 1299) – She married Juan Núñez II de Lara "el Menor." He was the head of the House of Lara. She died without having any children.

See also

In Spanish: María Díaz de Haro (c.1270-1342) para niños

• House of Haro
• House of Lara
• Diego Lopez V de Haro
• Juan Núñez II de Lara
• Ferdinand IV of Castile
• Alfonso XI of Castile
• Don Juan Manuel
• Lord of Biscay