Richeza of Poland
Encyclopedia
Richeza of Poland (ca. 1140 – 16 June 1185) was a Polish princess member of the House of Piast in the Silesia
n branch and by her marriages Queen of León
and Castile
, Countess of Provence
and Countess of Everstein.
She was the third child and only daughter of King Władysław II the Exile, High Duke of Poland and ruler of Silesia, by his wife Agnes of Babenberg
, daughter of Margrave Leopold III of Austria and half-sister of King Conrad III of Germany
.
, Richeza accompanied her parents and brothers into exile in 1146. They established themselves firstly in Bohemia
and later in Germany
, under the care of King Conrad III, who give his deposed brother-in-law the Saxon district of Altenburg
as his residence.
In 1151 came the news that the King Alfonso VII of León and Castile wanted to make an alliance with the Kingdom of Germany through a wedding. Richenza, niece of King Conrad III, was the most appropriate candidate to be the wife of the Iberian ruler. Between October and December 1152 Richeza and King Alfonso VII were married. In Castile she was known as Queen Riquilda . Her first child, Infante Ferdinand of Castile, was born in the city of Toledo
one year later, in 1153. Two years later, in 1155, Richeza gave birth to her second child, Infanta Sancha of Castile. King Alfonso VII died suddenly in the middle of the war against the Moors
in Sierra Morena
on 21 August 1157. Apparently, Infante Ferdinand died soon before his father.
: Sancho III
obtained Castile
and Ferdinand II
received León
. The relationship between Richeza and her stepsons wasn't good, especially after King Sancho III declared war on Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Barcelona
, father of Alfonso
(later King of Aragon), who was betrothed to Richeza's daughter Sancha. The unstable relations of King Ferdinand II with the Holy Roman Emperor
Frederick Barbarossa (cousin of Richeza) and the Antipope Victor IV
added further difficulties to the Dowager Queen, who finally decided to move to the Kingdom of Aragon in 1159.
In the Aragonese court, Richeza met Ramon Berenguer II, Count of Provence
, nephew of Count of Barcelona. Although they soon fell in love, their union would be clearly political. Ramon Berenguer II supported Victor IV against Pope Alexander III
, who, in turn, supported King Louis VII of France
. The county of Provence was in a strategic location, between France and the Italian Peninsula
. Frederick Barbarossa also wanted to win to his side to Count Ramon Berenguer IV, who entered in an alliance with the Kings of France, Castile and León. In contrast, Ramon Berenguer II, soon cousin by marriage of the Emperor gained prestige and could face the pretentions of Count Hugh of Baux, who had just received the Imperial Provence as a fief.
Premarital negotiations lasted almost a year and a half. Between January and October 1161 Richeza and Count Ramon Berenguer II were finally married. They had only one daughter, Douce of Provence, born ca. 1162. Ramon Berenguer II was killed during the siege of Nice
in 1166.
Soon after her second husband's death, plans for a new marriage for Richeza began. Apparently, she was betrothed to Raymond V, Count of Toulouse by her cousin the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa around 1166; at the same time, the now Countess Douce II of Provence was engaged to the future Raymond VI. Count Raymond V wanted with this engagement to become more closely to the Hohenstaufen dynasty and took full control over the County of Provence. However, the firm opposition of King Alfonso II of Aragon (future Richeza's son-in-law) soon cancelled both betrothals, and with the help of the Genoese, began the war against Raymond V, who lasted eight years.
Some sources stated that in fact Richeza and Raymond V were married; however, this event is refuted by the majority of modern historians.
Little is known about the later life of Richeza. She died in 1185.
Silesia
Silesia is a historical region of Central Europe located mostly in Poland, with smaller parts also in the Czech Republic, and Germany.Silesia is rich in mineral and natural resources, and includes several important industrial areas. Silesia's largest city and historical capital is Wrocław...
n branch and by her marriages Queen of León
Kingdom of León
The Kingdom of León was an independent kingdom situated in the northwest region of the Iberian Peninsula. It was founded in AD 910 when the Christian princes of Asturias along the northern coast of the peninsula shifted their capital from Oviedo to the city of León...
and Castile
Kingdom of Castile
Kingdom of Castile was one of the medieval kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula. It emerged as a political autonomous entity in the 9th century. It was called County of Castile and was held in vassalage from the Kingdom of León. Its name comes from the host of castles constructed in the region...
, Countess of Provence
Provence
Provence ; Provençal: Provença in classical norm or Prouvènço in Mistralian norm) is a region of south eastern France on the Mediterranean adjacent to Italy. It is part of the administrative région of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur...
and Countess of Everstein.
She was the third child and only daughter of King Władysław II the Exile, High Duke of Poland and ruler of Silesia, by his wife Agnes of Babenberg
Agnes of Babenberg
Agnes of Babenberg , was a German noblewoman, a scion of the Franconian House of Babenberg and by marriage High Duchess of Poland and Duchess of Silesia....
, daughter of Margrave Leopold III of Austria and half-sister of King Conrad III of Germany
Conrad III of Germany
Conrad III was the first King of Germany of the Hohenstaufen dynasty. He was the son of Frederick I, Duke of Swabia, and Agnes, a daughter of the Salian Emperor Henry IV.-Life and reign:...
.
Queen of Castile and León
Born and raised for the first years of her life in PolandPoland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, Richeza accompanied her parents and brothers into exile in 1146. They established themselves firstly in Bohemia
Bohemia
Bohemia is a historical region in central Europe, occupying the western two-thirds of the traditional Czech Lands. It is located in the contemporary Czech Republic with its capital in Prague...
and later in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, under the care of King Conrad III, who give his deposed brother-in-law the Saxon district of Altenburg
Altenburg
Altenburg is a town in the German federal state of Thuringia, 45 km south of Leipzig. It is the capital of the Altenburger Land district.-Geography:...
as his residence.
In 1151 came the news that the King Alfonso VII of León and Castile wanted to make an alliance with the Kingdom of Germany through a wedding. Richenza, niece of King Conrad III, was the most appropriate candidate to be the wife of the Iberian ruler. Between October and December 1152 Richeza and King Alfonso VII were married. In Castile she was known as Queen Riquilda . Her first child, Infante Ferdinand of Castile, was born in the city of Toledo
Toledo, Spain
Toledo's Alcázar became renowned in the 19th and 20th centuries as a military academy. At the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1936 its garrison was famously besieged by Republican forces.-Economy:...
one year later, in 1153. Two years later, in 1155, Richeza gave birth to her second child, Infanta Sancha of Castile. King Alfonso VII died suddenly in the middle of the war against the Moors
Moors
The description Moors has referred to several historic and modern populations of the Maghreb region who are predominately of Berber and Arab descent. They came to conquer and rule the Iberian Peninsula for nearly 800 years. At that time they were Muslim, although earlier the people had followed...
in Sierra Morena
Sierra Morena
The Sierra Morena is one of the main systems of mountain ranges in Spain.It stretches for 400 kilometres East-West across southern Spain, forming the southern border of the Meseta Central plateau of the Iberian Peninsula, and providing the watershed between the valleys of the Guadiana to the...
on 21 August 1157. Apparently, Infante Ferdinand died soon before his father.
Countess of Provence
The late King divided his domains between his two surviving sons born from his first marriage to Berenguela of BarcelonaBerenguela of Barcelona
Berenguela or Berengaria of Barcelona was Queen consort of Castile, León and Galicia She was the daughter of Raimon III of Barcelona and Dulce Aldonza Milhaud...
: Sancho III
Sancho III of Castile
Sancho III was King of Castile and Toledo for one year, from 1157 to 1158. During the Reconquista, in which he took an active part, he founded the Order of Calatrava...
obtained Castile
Kingdom of Castile
Kingdom of Castile was one of the medieval kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula. It emerged as a political autonomous entity in the 9th century. It was called County of Castile and was held in vassalage from the Kingdom of León. Its name comes from the host of castles constructed in the region...
and Ferdinand II
Ferdinand II of Leon
Ferdinand II was King of León and Galicia from 1157 to his death.-Life:Born in Toledo, Castile, he was the son of King Alfonso VII of León and Castile and of Berenguela, of the House of Barcelona. At his father's death, he received León and Galicia, while his brother Sancho received Castile and...
received León
Kingdom of León
The Kingdom of León was an independent kingdom situated in the northwest region of the Iberian Peninsula. It was founded in AD 910 when the Christian princes of Asturias along the northern coast of the peninsula shifted their capital from Oviedo to the city of León...
. The relationship between Richeza and her stepsons wasn't good, especially after King Sancho III declared war on Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Barcelona
Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Barcelona
Ramon Berenguer IV , sometimes called the Holy, was the Count of Barcelona who effected the union between the Kingdom of Aragon and the Principality of Catalonia into the Crown of Aragon....
, father of Alfonso
Alfonso II of Aragon
Alfonso II or Alfons I ; Huesca, 1-25 March 1157 – 25 April 1196), called the Chaste or the Troubadour, was the King of Aragon and Count of Barcelona from 1164 until his death. He was the son of Ramon Berenguer IV of Barcelona and Petronilla of Aragon and the first King of Aragon who was...
(later King of Aragon), who was betrothed to Richeza's daughter Sancha. The unstable relations of King Ferdinand II with the Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Emperor
The Holy Roman Emperor is a term used by historians to denote a medieval ruler who, as German King, had also received the title of "Emperor of the Romans" from the Pope...
Frederick Barbarossa (cousin of Richeza) and the Antipope Victor IV
Antipope Victor IV (1138)
Victor IV , antipope for a short time in 1138.He was born in Ceccano as Gregorio Conti. Pope Paschal II created him cardinal-priest of SS. XII Apostoli ca. 1102, but in 1112 deposed him and replaced in his title, because he had severely criticised Victor IV (died after April 1139), antipope for a...
added further difficulties to the Dowager Queen, who finally decided to move to the Kingdom of Aragon in 1159.
In the Aragonese court, Richeza met Ramon Berenguer II, Count of Provence
Ramon Berenguer II, Count of Provence
Ramon Berenguer II was the count of Provence from 1144 to his death. His uncle, Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Barcelona, was the regent until 1157....
, nephew of Count of Barcelona. Although they soon fell in love, their union would be clearly political. Ramon Berenguer II supported Victor IV against Pope Alexander III
Pope Alexander III
Pope Alexander III , born Rolando of Siena, was Pope from 1159 to 1181. He is noted in history for laying the foundation stone for the Notre Dame de Paris.-Church career:...
, who, in turn, supported King Louis VII of France
Louis VII of France
Louis VII was King of France, the son and successor of Louis VI . He ruled from 1137 until his death. He was a member of the House of Capet. His reign was dominated by feudal struggles , and saw the beginning of the long rivalry between France and England...
. The county of Provence was in a strategic location, between France and the Italian Peninsula
Italian Peninsula
The Italian Peninsula or Apennine Peninsula is one of the three large peninsulas of Southern Europe , spanning from the Po Valley in the north to the central Mediterranean Sea in the south. The peninsula's shape gives it the nickname Lo Stivale...
. Frederick Barbarossa also wanted to win to his side to Count Ramon Berenguer IV, who entered in an alliance with the Kings of France, Castile and León. In contrast, Ramon Berenguer II, soon cousin by marriage of the Emperor gained prestige and could face the pretentions of Count Hugh of Baux, who had just received the Imperial Provence as a fief.
Premarital negotiations lasted almost a year and a half. Between January and October 1161 Richeza and Count Ramon Berenguer II were finally married. They had only one daughter, Douce of Provence, born ca. 1162. Ramon Berenguer II was killed during the siege of Nice
Nice
Nice is the fifth most populous city in France, after Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Toulouse, with a population of 348,721 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Nice extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of more than 955,000 on an area of...
in 1166.
Soon after her second husband's death, plans for a new marriage for Richeza began. Apparently, she was betrothed to Raymond V, Count of Toulouse by her cousin the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa around 1166; at the same time, the now Countess Douce II of Provence was engaged to the future Raymond VI. Count Raymond V wanted with this engagement to become more closely to the Hohenstaufen dynasty and took full control over the County of Provence. However, the firm opposition of King Alfonso II of Aragon (future Richeza's son-in-law) soon cancelled both betrothals, and with the help of the Genoese, began the war against Raymond V, who lasted eight years.
Some sources stated that in fact Richeza and Raymond V were married; however, this event is refuted by the majority of modern historians.
Countess of Everstein
By 1167, Richeza married her third and last husband, Count Albert III of Everstein (b. ca. 1135 - d. ca. 1202) (who fought at the side of Frederick Barbarossa in his wars against the Guelphs) and moved to Germany with her new husband. After that, she was known as Countess Richeza of Everstein . From this union were certainly born two sons, Counts Albert IV and Konrad II of Everstein, although in some sources the existence of other three sons called Otto, Louis and Hermann of Everstein was stated.Little is known about the later life of Richeza. She died in 1185.