Berenguela the Great and Her Times (1180-1246)

H. Salvador Martínez, Ph.D (1972) in Medieval Studies, University of Toronto, is Professor Emeritus of Spanish and Medieval Culture at New York University. He has published extensively on Medieval and Renaissance literature and culture, including El humanism Medieval y Alfonso X el Sabio (2016), Alfonso X, el Sabio. Una biografia (2003), and Convivencia en la España del siglo XIII (2006).

• AbbreviationsList of IllustrationsGenealogical TablePreface to the English TranslationIntroduction: Berenguela and Her HourAcknowledgements1 The Forging of a New Dynasty1Genealogical Record of an Era2Her Father, Alfonso VIII the Noble3Her Mother, Eleanor Plantagenet4The Wedding of Alfonso VIII and Eleanor5The Family: Berenguela and Her Siblings2 First Steps: The Hope of Castile1 Berenguela, the Firstborn2A Privileged Childhood3The Curia of San Esteban de Gormaz and the Future of Berenguela4The Betrothal of Berenguela and Conrad and the Breaking Off of the Engagement5The Education of a Queen3 Alfonso IX of León: Supporter or Rival?1A King’s Apprentice2Alfonso, King of León3Meeting with His Cousin. Knighted at Carrión4His First Marriage Fails5From the Treaty of Tordehumos to Alarcos6“Coalition of Ungodliness”4 Berenguela and Alfonso IX. A Political Marriage1A Very Calculated Decision2Eleanor and the People as Main Characters3The Emotional Side4The Wedding5Berenguela, Queen of León6The Queen’s Household5 Declaration of Nullity1Innocent III and the Peninsular Kingdoms2The Reprobation of Rome3The First Fruit of the Marriage4Declaration of Nullity5Challenge to the Papal Decree: Ratification of the Dowry6 Marriage Annulment1A New Century2Birth of the Heir3Annulment of the Marriage4Last Days Together5Impact of the Papal Sentence7 Securing the Future. Berenguela Again on Center Stage1The Paternal Household2Illness of Her Father and Last Will3Vindication: Treaty of Cabreros4Friendly Relations with Alfonso IX: A Host of Benefits5The Foundations of the New Relations between Castile and León are Established: The Treaty of Valladolid6Between the Portuguese and the Leonese8 Mother and Teacher1Love and Pedagogy2Recourse to the Supernatural3Formation of Prince Fernando4Courtly Education. Multicultural Perspectives5Problems in the Kingdom. End of the Truce with the Muslims6Tragedy in the Court9 Berenguela at the Highest Point of the Reconquista1Christendom on War Footing2Berenguela’s Role in the Campaign3The Echo of Battle: Berenguela’s Letter4The Christian Kingdoms after the Victory10 The Court That Berenguela Knew1 A New Courtly Lifestyle2The Spirit of the Court: Parties, Fashion, and Luxury3Culture and Letters4Impact of the Court Environment11 The End of an Era1Year 1213. Last campaigns of Alfonso VIII2The Collaboration of Alfonso IX3Generational Change4The Death of Her Father5The Death of Her Mother12 Regent of Castile1Guardian of Enrique I and Regent of Castile2Enrique I and Berenguela Co-Regents3The Opposition to Berenguela4Berenguela Gives Up Custody of Her Brother5Berenguela against Álvaro Núñez de Lara: The Excesses of the ‘Count’13 Civil War and Dramatic Ending1New Positions Assumed2Marriage of Enrique I with Mafalda of Portugal3The Search for a Solution4The Greatest Insult5Recourse to Arms6The Death of Enrique I7Berenguela: Political Insight and ‘Exquisite Prudence’14 Berenguela Queen of Castile1Berenguela Recognized as Heir2Transfer of the Crown to Her Son3Fernando III, King4Unexpected Proposal by Alfonso IX5Final Adieu to Her Brother Enrique6Capture of Álvaro Núñez de Lara7Rapprochement between Fernando III and His Father8End of the Laras15 Berenguela’s Search for a Wife for Fernando. Stabilization of the Kingdom1Fernando and Beatriz of Swabia2Berenguela at Fernando III’s Knighting Ceremony3Government Philosophy: Continuity and Innovation4Fernando III and the Nobility. Alliances and Tensions5Berenguela’s Intervention: Marriage of the Infante Alfonso6Marriage Diplomacy or the Power of Persuasion7Birth of the First Grandson: Alfonso X16 Facing Islam1Paralysis in the Reconquest and Disintegration of Al-Andalus2The Great Opportunity3Fernando and His Mother: Supreme Destiny3.1Miles Christi4Berenguela in the Conquest of Capilla5Family Relationships. Queen Beatriz’s Illness6Rome’s Support17 Berenguela: Framer of the Union of Castile and León1Death of Alfonso IX2Fernando III, King of León3The Pact of the Two Mothers4Public Relations Campaign5Pending Issues at the Border6Unexpected Crisis and New Intervention by Berenguela7Death of Queen Beatriz18 The Pearl of Al-Andalus. Family Occupations1Berenguela and the Conquest of Córdoba2A New Wife for Fernando3Final Assault on al-Andalus. Last Farewell to His Mother4Her Death5Portrait19 Political and Cultural Legacy1Provider of the Kingdom2Religious Patronage3Berenguela and the Historiography of the 13th CenturyConclusion: “She Had Many Gifts”1Prudent and Wise2Berenguela and Fernando3Maternity, Sexuality, and Politics4Woman and Power5PeacemakerBibliographyIndex