Peter I, Count of Urgell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Peter I |
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| jure uxoris Count of Urgell | |
| Reign | 1229-1231 |
| Predecessor | Aurembiaix |
| Successor | James I |
| Co-Ruler | Aurembiaix |
| Lord of Balearic Islands | |
| Reign | 1236-1258 |
| Born | 23 February 1187 Coimbra, Kingdom of Portugal |
| Died | 2 June 1258 (aged 71) Balearic Islands, Crown of Aragon |
| Burial | Palma de Mallorca, Spain |
| Spouse | Aurembiaix, Countess of Urgell |
| Illegitimate children | Rodrigo de Urgel Fernando Pedro de Urgel |
| House | Portuguese House of Burgundy |
| Father | Sancho I of Portugal |
| Mother | Dulce of Aragon |
Peter I (born 23 February 1187 – died 2 June 1258) was a Portuguese prince. He was the second son of King Sancho I of Portugal and his wife Dulce of Aragon. Peter later became the Count of Urgell and Lord of the Balearic Islands.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Peter was born in Coimbra, a city in Portugal. After his father, King Sancho I, passed away, Peter supported his sisters. They had a disagreement with their older brother, King Afonso II of Portugal, about who should inherit certain castles.
Peter received protection from his sister, Theresa. She was the Queen of León at the time. From León, Peter launched some attacks on the Portuguese border. However, he eventually had to accept defeat. This meant he had to live in exile from Portugal forever.
A Prince in Exile
After leaving León, Peter became a mercenary. A mercenary is a soldier who fights for money for a foreign country. He served Yusuf II, the ruler of the Almohad Empire in North Africa. Peter led a group of Christian soldiers in Marrakesh.
In 1220, Peter was involved with the arrival of some Franciscan missionaries in Morocco. These missionaries wanted to preach in Marrakesh. The Caliph, Yusuf II, thought they were acting strangely. He asked Peter and his Christian soldiers to escort them out of his kingdom.
Journey to Aragon
Later, Peter moved to Aragon. This was his mother's home country. There, he became involved with the plans of his relative, the young King James I of Aragon. Peter helped King James I in his campaigns and political activities.
Marriage and New Lands
In June 1229, Peter married Aurembiaix of Urgell. She was the Countess of Urgell. Aurembiaix had been forced out of Urgell by another ruler. King James I helped Aurembiaix and Peter regain control of Urgell. This happened after they agreed to give the city of Lleida to King James.
In 1230, Peter also helped the Bishop of Tarragona. They worked together to conquer the Balearic island of Ibiza from the Moors.
Ruling the Balearic Islands
Countess Aurembiaix passed away in 1231. After her death, Peter continued to be called the Count of Urgell. However, King James I challenged his right to this title.
In 1236, Peter and King James I reached an agreement. Peter gave up his claim to Urgell. In return, he received control of the newly conquered Balearic Islands. These islands included Majorca, Ibiza, and Formentera. He also received castles like Pollença and Alaró in the Balearics, and Almudaina in Alicante.
Peter ruled these Balearic lands until he died in 1258. He did not have any children who could legally inherit his titles. So, after his death, the islands went back to the Aragonese Crown. These islands later became the core of the Kingdom of Majorca. Peter had two sons, Rodrigo and Fernando.
Images for kids
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A portrait of Peter I, also known as Pedro.
