Eleanor of Province

Eleanor of Provence (c. 1223 – 24/25 June 1291) was Queen Consort to Henry III King of England. The second eldest daughter to Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Province and Beatrice of Savoy. All four of their daughters would marry Kings and Eleanor like her mother, grandmother and sisters was known for her beauty. She was a dark haired brunette with fair eyes. Only twelve years old when she arrived in England for her marriage she had never seen Henry prior to their wedding day on January 14 1236 nor had she ever stepped foot in his kingdom before. The wedding was held at Canterbury Cathedral and according to the records she was dressed in a shimmering golden dress which was tightly fitted around the waist and then flared out in long pleats to the feet. The sleeves were long and lined with ermine. The new Queen consort was crowned the same day as her wedding at Westminster Abbey followed by a magnificent banquet. She and Henry would go on to have 5 children, the most famous being Edward I "Longshanks" King of England. Eleanor and Henry are Cheryl's 27 great grandparents and the 26th great grandparents of Cody and Courtney.

Ramon Berenguer IV 1195 - 1245 was Eleanor's father and Count of Provence. He was the son of Alfonso II of Provence. After his fathers death in 1209 Ramon was imprisoned in the Castle of Monzon in Aragon until he was able to escape in 1219 and claim his inheritance. On June 5 1219 Ramon married Beatrice of Savoy, the daughter of Thomas I of Savoy. A shrewd and politically astute women, her beauty was likened by Matthew Paris, to that of a second Niobe. Together they would have 4 daughters all of which married Kings.

Alfonso II of Provence 1174 - 1209 As the second son of Alfonso II of Aragon, he inherited the county of Provence which was transferred to him from his uncle Sancho in 1185. Born in Barcelona, Spain he married Gersenda II of Sabran, daughter of Rainou, Count of Forcalquier. Not much more is known of him or his inlaws. 28th for Cheryl and 27th for Cody

Alfonso II of Aragon 1157 - 1196 "the Troubadour" King of Aragon from 1162. Born Ramon Berenguer he changed his name in honor of Alfonso I. Most of the events regarding his life can be found online as they are more than can be told here. A noted poet he was also a close friend of Richard "the Lionheart". He was married to Sancha of Castile with whom he had several children. 29th for Cheryl and 28th for Cody.

Ramon Berenguer IV and Petronila of Aquitine will be discussed later when we look at his line. They were the 30th and 29th set of great grandparents.

Ramiro II of Aragon 1075 - 1157 As one of the youngest sons of Sancho Ramirez, he had little hope of obtaining the crown or have any other major inheritance. Known as the monk he spent most of his early life in a French Monastery and was later the Abbott of St Peter at Huesca. In 1134 his brother Alfonso "the Battler" died heirless so Ramiro gave up his monastic vows in order to secure the succession of the Crown of Aragon. In order to produce an heir he married Agnes of Aquitine, the daughter of William IX, Count of Aquitine. Once wed the couple soon had a daughter, Petronila, who was betrothed to Ramon Berenguer IV at the age of 2. With the contract signed on August 11 1137, Petronila became heiress of Aragon. Ramon was also secured that if Petronila were to die childless that his heirs from future wives would be able to receive the crown. Though Ramiro never formally resigned his title he retired to San Pedro Monastery. Although out of the public eye he kept a close eye on the happenings of Aragon. His reign was filled with conflict with the barons as they thought that they would be able to easily manipulate him. Ramiro aided him in calming any factions before Ramiro's retirement. He eventually died on August 16 1157. 31st for Cheryl and 30th for Cody

Sancho Ramirez 1042 - 1094 King of Aragon from 1063 and of Navarre from 1076 as Sancho V. The son of Ramiro II of Aragon and Ermesinda (Gisberga). Between 1067 and 1068 the War of the Three Sanchos involved him in a conflict with his first cousins. Although he did not use the royal title in the early years of his rule that soon changed upon the murder of his cousin Sancho IV of Navarre by his siblings. At First Sancho IV's young son Alfonso VI was recognized as king but Sancho Ramirez quickly recruited noblemen of Navarre to his side and obtained rule of Navarre. After many battles he finally perished at the seige of Huesca in 1094. He had married Felicia his second wife in 1078, the daughter of Count Hilwin II of Roucy with whom he had three sons, of of which ascended to the throne. 32nd for Cheryl and 31st for Cody

Ramiro II of Aragon 1007 - 1063 A natural son of Sancho III he was born by Sancho's mistress Sancha de Aybar and later adopted by Sancho's wife Munradona. Ramiro sought to enlarge his lands at the expense of the Moors and his brother Garcia. Allied to the Emir of Tudela they invaded Garcia's kingdom and while defeated at the Battle of Tafalla, he was able to gain more lands as a result. In 1036 he married Ermesinda (Gisberga) daughter of Bernard Roger of Bigorre. Together they would have five children. 33rd for Cheryl and 32nd for Cody

Sancho II of Navarre d. 1035 "the Great" King of Navarre. Born around 985 he was raised in Leyra, becoming king in 1004. In 1010 he married Muniadona Mayor the daughter of Sancho Garcia of Castile, his fathers cousin. During his reign he fought many battles against not only the Muslims but the neighboring barons in an attempt to enlarge his lands. The information regarding him abounds online and in historical documents. 34th for Cheryl and 33rd for Cody

Garcia Sanchez II "the Tremulous" d. 1004 King of Pamplona. Soon after taking the throne he joined his cousins in an attempt to break from the submission his father had offered to Cordoba, and as a result he had to face Almanzor, Moorish Ruler of Iberia. In 997 during an expidition into the land of Calatayud, Garcia killed the governors brother. Almanzor took revenge by killing 50 Christians. In 981 Garcia had married Jimena, daughter of Ferdinand Vermdez. among their children was Urraca who would marry Alfonso V of Leon. 35th and 34th

While the line does continue back further I am going to stop here for the time being. Many of these ancestors have much written about them while others have very little. The area in which they lived was under constant attack not only from the Muslims but the Moors as well and as France attempted to expand its reaches they also began to wage war against them. Eleanor's Son Edward I would go on to marry Eleanor of Castile another beauty of her day, but we will take a look at her later. Until the next time.