Berengaria of Barcelona
Berenguela (or Berengaria, * 1108 in Barcelona, † February 1149 in Palencia ) was as the wife of Alfonso VII 1128-1149 Queen of Castile and León.
Life
Berenguela was the daughter of Count Ramon Berenguer III. of Barcelona and his third wife Douce of Provence ( also called Dulcia ). It is described in the sources as beautiful, smart and brave. 1128 she celebrated her with much pomp committed to Saldaña wedding with King Alfonso VII of Castile and León. Against this marriage, however, there was concern because Berenguela and her husband were related too close together. The couple had the following children:
- Sancho III. (* 1134, † 1158 ), King of Castile
- Ramon (c. 1136 ), died in infancy
- Ferdinand II (* 1137, † 1188 ), King of León
- Constance (c. 1138, † 1160 ), wife of King Louis VII of France
- Sancha (* around 1139, † 1179 ), wife of King Sancho VI. of Navarre
- Garcia ( * 1142, † 1146 )
- Alfons (c. 1144/46; † before 1149 )
On her husband Berenguela exercised great influence and interfered in political affairs. After about Count Gonzalo Peláez had revolted against Alfonso VII, Berenguela helped with an understanding between her husband and the rebellious Count. According to the Chronica Adefonsi Imperatoris defended Toledo in 1139 against an army of the Almoravids. According to this report, she sent word to the besiegers that they could reap no glory, when they fought against a woman; they should instead be measured with the troops of her husband. When is professing the Islamic faith attacker would have seen the queen on a throne on top of a tower of the Alcazar sitting, kneeling, and then they were withdrawn in chivalrous manner. After the Castilians would then in 1143 set up the heads of two decapitated leaders of the Saracens on the top of the royal palace of Toledo, Berenguela had ordered the acceptance of this macabre trophy and the heads embalmed sent to the widows of those killed. King García Ramírez of Navarre took 1144 Urraca, daughter of Alfonso VII of his mistress Guntroda Pérez, to wife; and also Berenguela participated in this marriage.
Berenguela died in February 1149 in Palencia and was buried in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.