Theresa of Portugal (Coimbra, October 4, 1178 – Lorvão, June 18,1250;[1]) was Queen of Léon as the first wife of King Alfonso IX of León.She was the oldest daughter of Sancho I of Portugal and Dulce of Aragon.
Theresa was the mother to three of Alfonso''s children—two daughters and ason, Ferdinand, who was the heir of the kingdom until his death in1214—but when her marriage to Alfonso was declared invalid because theywere first cousins, she returned to her home in Lorvão, Kingdom ofPortugal. There, she founded a Benedictine monastery. Soon after, sheconverted the monastery into a large Cistercian convent, with over 300nuns.
In 1230, Alfonso died after having several children with a second wife,Queen Berengaria of Castile. This second marriage was also annulledbecause Berengaria was Alfonso''s first cousin once removed. With twoinvalidated marriages, there was dispute among the children as to whowould inherit the throne. Theresa stepped in and allowed Ferdinand III ofCastile, Berengaria''s eldest son, to take the throne of León. After thesuccession dispute, Theresa returned to Lorvão and finally took herconvent vows after years of living as a nun. She died in the convent onJune 18, 1250 of natural causes.
On December 13, 1705 Theresa was beatified by Pope Clement XI''s papalbull Sollicitudo Pastoralis Offici, along with her sister Sancha ofPortugal. Her Catholic feast day is June 17.
Theresa was the mother to three of Alfonso''s children—two daughters and ason, Ferdinand, who was the heir of the kingdom until his death in1214—but when her marriage to Alfonso was declared invalid because theywere first cousins, she returned to her home in Lorvão, Kingdom ofPortugal. There, she founded a Benedictine monastery. Soon after, sheconverted the monastery into a large Cistercian convent, with over 300nuns.
In 1230, Alfonso died after having several children with a second wife,Queen Berengaria of Castile. This second marriage was also annulledbecause Berengaria was Alfonso''s first cousin once removed. With twoinvalidated marriages, there was dispute among the children as to whowould inherit the throne. Theresa stepped in and allowed Ferdinand III ofCastile, Berengaria''s eldest son, to take the throne of León. After thesuccession dispute, Theresa returned to Lorvão and finally took herconvent vows after years of living as a nun. She died in the convent onJune 18, 1250 of natural causes.
On December 13, 1705 Theresa was beatified by Pope Clement XI''s papalbull Sollicitudo Pastoralis Offici, along with her sister Sancha ofPortugal. Her Catholic feast day is June 17.
- 4 OCT 1178 - Birth - ; Coimbra, Kingdom of Portugal
- 18 JUN 1250 - Death - ; Lorvão Abbey, Portugal
- 1191 - Reign - Queen consort ; León
- 13 DEC 1705 - Beatified - Pope Clement XI
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PARENT (U) ? | |||
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F | Theresa of Portugal, Queen of León | ||
Birth | 4 OCT 1178 | Coimbra, Kingdom of Portugal | |
Death | 18 JUN 1250 | Lorvão Abbey, Portugal | |
Marriage | 1191 | to Alfonso IX of León |
PARENT (M) Alfonso IX of León | |||
Birth | 15 AUG 1171 | Zamora | |
Death | 23/24 SEP 1230 | Villanueva de Sarria | |
Marriage | 1191 | to Theresa of Portugal, Queen of León | |
Marriage | to Inés Íñiguez de Mendoza | ||
Marriage | 1197 | to Berengaria of Castile | |
Father | Ferdinand II of León | ||
Mother | Urraca of Portugal | ||
PARENT (F) Theresa of Portugal, Queen of León | |||
Birth | 4 OCT 1178 | Coimbra, Kingdom of Portugal | |
Death | 18 JUN 1250 | Lorvão Abbey, Portugal | |
Marriage | 1191 | to Alfonso IX of León | |
Father | ? | ||
Mother | ? | ||
CHILDREN |
1 Theresa of Portugal, Queen of León b: 4 OCT 1178 d: 18 JUN 1250
+ Alfonso IX of León b: 15 AUG 1171 d: 23/24 SEP 1230