Sanchia of Provence facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sanchia of Provence |
|
|---|---|
| Countess of Cornwall | |
Seal of Queen Sanchia
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| Queen of the Romans | |
| Tenure | 13 January 1257 – 9 November 1261 |
| Coronation | 27 May 1257 |
| Born | c. 1225 |
| Died | 9 November 1261 (aged c. 36) Berkhamsted Castle, Hertfordshire |
| Burial | Hailes Abbey, Gloucestershire |
| Spouse |
Richard, King of the Romans
(m. 1243) |
| Issue |
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| House | Barcelona |
| Father | Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Provence |
| Mother | Beatrice of Savoy |
Sanchia of Provence (born around 1225 – died November 9, 1261) was an important royal figure. She became Queen of the Romans in 1257. This title was given to the wife of the elected King of Germany, who hoped to become the Holy Roman Emperor. Sanchia was married to King Richard.
Sanchia was the third daughter of Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Provence, and Beatrice of Savoy. People said she was very beautiful. In 1243, she married Richard, who was an English prince and the Earl of Cornwall. After her husband was chosen as King of the Romans, Sanchia was crowned with him. This special event happened at Aachen Cathedral in 1257. Queen Sanchia passed away about four years later, when she was around 36 years old.
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Sanchia's Early Life and Family
Sanchia had three older sisters. They all married important kings. Her sister Margaret married Louis IX of France. Eleanor married Henry III of England. And Beatrice married Charles I of Sicily. Sanchia was known for her gentle and charming looks. Many people thought she was even prettier than her older sisters.
Becoming Countess of Cornwall
Sanchia's sister, Eleanor of Provence, helped arrange her marriage. Eleanor wanted Sanchia to marry her brother-in-law, Richard, 1st Earl of Cornwall. Richard's first wife had recently died. Even though Richard was not a king, he was very rich. He was one of the wealthiest men in Kingdom of England and possibly in all of Europe.
Sanchia had been engaged to another person, Raymond VII of Toulouse. But that engagement was broken off. Sanchia's uncle, Peter, helped negotiate her marriage contract in 1242. Another uncle, Philip, safely brought Sanchia to the English court. There, she met her sister Eleanor and King Henry III. They also met their new baby daughter, Beatrice.
The wedding took place in Westminster on November 23. It was a very grand celebration. For example, thirty thousand dishes were prepared for the wedding dinner alone! Sanchia's mother, Beatrice of Savoy, came to England for the wedding. Her father could not come, but her mother got a loan from King Henry III to help with costs.
The marriages of the four sisters from Provence to the kings of France and England, and their brothers, helped improve relations. These royal weddings led to the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1259. Sanchia was there for the signing of this important treaty. All of her sisters and her mother were also present.
Becoming Queen of the Romans
In 1256, Richard was chosen as King of Germany. He was elected by a majority of the seven electoral princes. This title was called King of the Romans. It was a step towards becoming the Holy Roman Emperor, a very powerful title given by the pope.
In January 1257, messengers brought the news of Richard's election. Richard and Sanchia were having a fancy dinner when they arrived. Richard was very happy and emotional. He said he would accept the crown. He explained that he wanted to help the German states become prosperous again. He truly wanted to rule fairly and well. Everyone could see that Richard was thrilled. It was also clear that Sanchia was incredibly delighted. Now she would be a queen, just like her two older sisters!
Sanchia was crowned Queen of the Romans with her husband. This happened on May 27, 1257, at Aachen Cathedral in Germany. After the crowning, they spent about fifteen months traveling near Mainz. They had to return to England quickly because the political situation there became difficult. Sanchia became ill in the fall of 1260. She passed away a year later, with her son Edmund by her side.
Sanchia's Children
Sanchia had two sons with Richard of Cornwall:
- Richard of Cornwall (born July 1246 – died August 15, 1246). He was a baby who did not live long.
- Edmund, 2nd Earl of Cornwall (born 1249 – died 1300). He married Margaret de Clare. They did not have any children.
Sanchia died on November 9, 1261, at Berkhamsted Castle. She was buried on November 15 at Hailes Abbey.
Images for kids
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Seal of Queen Sanchia
