Sancho IV of Castile facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sancho IV
King of Castile and León
Reign	4 April 1284 – 25 April 1295
Predecessor	Alfonso X
Successor	Ferdinand IV
Born	12 May 1258 Valladolid
Died	25 April 1295(1295-04-25) (aged 36) Toledo
Burial	Cathedral of Toledo
Spouse	María de Molina ​ (m. 1282)​
Issue among others...	Isabella, Queen of Aragon Ferdinand IV, King of Castile Alfonso Peter, Lord of Cameros Philip, Lord of Cabrera Beatrice, Queen of Portugal
House	Castilian House of Ivrea
Father	Alfonso X of Castile
Mother	Violant of Aragon

Sancho IV of Castile (born 12 May 1258 – died 25 April 1295) was known as the Brave (el Bravo). He was the king of Castile, León, and Galicia. These areas are now part of Spain. He ruled from 1284 until he died.

After his brother Ferdinand passed away, Sancho got support from many important nobles. They chose him to be king instead of Ferdinand's son, Alfonso. Sancho faced many challenges and revolts during his time as king. Before he died, he made his wife, María de Molina, the regent. This meant she would rule for their young son, who became Ferdinand IV.

Sancho IV's Early Life and Rise to Power

Sancho was the second son of Alfonso X and Yolanda. Yolanda was the daughter of James I of Aragon. Sancho's older brother, Ferdinand de la Cerda, died in November 1275.

In 1282, Sancho gathered a group of nobles who supported him. They wanted him to be king instead of Ferdinand's son, Alfonso. When his father, Alfonso X, died in 1284, Sancho took control of the kingdom. His father had not wanted this, but Sancho was crowned king in Toledo anyway.

Challenges and How Sancho Ruled

Sancho became king partly because he disagreed with his father's way of ruling. Most nobles and cities supported Sancho. However, a smaller group opposed him throughout his reign. They wanted Ferdinand de la Cerda's heirs to rule.

One of the main people against Sancho was his own brother, John of Castile. John joined forces with Lope Díaz III de Haro, the lord of Biscay. Sancho responded strongly. He took action against the Lord of Biscay and put his brother John in prison. To make sure he stayed in power, Sancho dealt firmly with many who supported Alfonso de la Cerda. This happened in places like Badajoz, Talavera, Ávila, and Toledo.

After dealing with this opposition, Sancho forgave his brother John and released him. But John waited for another chance to cause trouble. This happened during a conflict over Tarifa. John asked for help from the Marinids, a group from Morocco. They attacked Guzmán the Good in his castle in 1291. During this attack, Guzmán's innocent son died. This act is remembered as a famous example of heroism. Tarifa was bravely defended until Sancho could arrive and help. The Marinids then went back to Morocco. This stopped John and the Marinid Sultan from invading.

Alliances and Final Years

When James II became king of the Crown of Aragon, he wanted to make the two kingdoms stronger together. He also wanted Christian forces to unite. Their goal was to take back the Iberian peninsula from Islam. James's earlier rulers had tried to do the same. Sancho was also a friend and teacher to Juan Manuel of Castile.

Sancho became very ill, possibly with tuberculosis. Just before he died, he chose his wife, María de Molina, to be the regent for their nine-year-old son, Ferdinand IV. Sancho died on 25 April 1295 in Toledo.

Sancho IV's Family

Sancho married María de Molina in 1282. At first, their marriage was not fully approved by the Pope. This was for two reasons. First, they were distant relatives. Second, Sancho had been promised to a rich heiress named Guillerma Moncada when he was a baby.

Sancho and Maria had these children:

• Isabella (1283–1328). She first married James II of Aragon and then John III, Duke of Brittany.
• Ferdinand IV (1285–1312). He married Constance of Portugal.
• Alfonso de Castilla (1286–1291).
• Henry (1288–1299).
• Peter (1290–1319). He married Maria, who was the daughter of James II of Aragon.
• Philip (1292–1327). He married his cousin Margarita de la Cerda.
• Beatrice (1293–1359). She married Afonso IV of Portugal.

See also

In Spanish: Sancho IV de Castilla para niños