Talesa of Aragon facts for kids

Talesa, also known as Talèse or Ataresa, was an important noblewoman from Aragon who lived in the 1100s. She was the daughter of Sancho Ramírez, Count of Ribagorza, who was the natural brother of King Sancho Ramírez of Aragon and Navarre. This made her part of the royal Jiménez dynasty. Talesa married Gaston IV of Béarn, who was the ruler of Béarn. She acted as a regent, meaning she governed Béarn, when her husband was away fighting in the Crusades between 1096 and 1101. After he died, she continued to govern for her young son from 1131 to 1134, and then for her grandson until at least 1136.

Talesa's Life and Role

Talesa married Gaston IV around 1085. This marriage was a strategic move by Gaston's father, Centule V of Béarn, to increase his power across the Pyrenees mountains. He wanted to form an alliance with the ruling families of Aragon and Navarre. Talesa brought with her a small region called Montaner as a dowry, which was like a gift of land given at the time of marriage.

Governing Béarn

Between 1096 and 1101, Gaston IV went to fight in the First Crusade. During this time, Talesa took charge of governing Béarn. She had help from a group of important noblemen. This happened many times when her husband was away on military trips in Aragon. Talesa, like many important people of her time, is remembered in history mostly because she helped start and support religious places.

Regency for Her Children

When Gaston died in 1131, Talesa became the regent for their young son, Centule VI. Sadly, Centule VI died in the Battle of Fraga in 1134. After his death, the rule of Béarn passed to Peter II, who was the son of Talesa and Gaston's oldest daughter, Guiscarda. Since Peter II was just a boy, Talesa continued to govern as regent for him until at least 1136.

Political Challenges and Alliances

In 1136, Aragon and Navarre faced a big problem with who would be the next ruler. Talesa's cousin, Alfonso the Battler, died without any children. He had left a will saying that his kingdom should go to military religious groups. This caused the two kingdoms to split. The throne of Aragon was then claimed by two different people: Ramiro the Monk, who was Alfonso's brother, and Alfonso VII of León, a more distant relative.

Talesa decided to support Ramiro. In return, Ramiro gave her control over parts of Zaragoza and Uncastillo, which he had inherited from Gaston. After the Pope stepped in to help, the conflict was finally settled. The new ruler was Raymond Berengar IV of Barcelona. To improve relations with Béarn, he gave Talesa more lands, including Huesca and Bespen. He also gave her rights over the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar in Zaragoza, where Gaston was buried. Raymond Berengar IV also arranged for Peter II to marry a Catalan princess. This brought Béarn closer to the Catalan region.

Talesa died sometime after 1136. Besides Centule VI and Guiscarda, she had another daughter who died young, known only by her first initial, N. She also had an older son named Centule who died before 1128, even before Gaston's main heir.

See also

In Spanish: Talesa de Aragón para niños

Sources

• Tucoo-Chala, Pierre. Quand l'Islam était aux portes des Pyrénées. Biarrtiz: J&D Editions, 1994. ISBN: 2-84127-022-X.