Alfonso II, Count of Provence

Alfonso II (1180 – 2 February 1209) was the second son of Alfonso II of Aragon (who was Alfonso I of Provence) and Sancha of Castile.[1] His father transferred the County of Provence from his uncle Sancho to him in 1185. Alfonso II was born in Barcelona.

Alfonso II
Seal of Alfonso II
Count of Provence
Reign1185–1209
PredecessorSancho
SuccessorRamon Berenguer IV
Born1180
Barcelona, Principality of Catalonia, Crown of Aragon
Died2 February 1209 (aged 28–29)
Palermo, Kingdom of Sicily
SpouseGarsenda II of Sabran
IssueRamon Berenguer IV
Garsenda of Provence, Viscountess of Béarn
HouseBarcelona
FatherAlfonso II of Aragon
MotherSancha of Castile

In 1193, Alfonso married Gersenda II of Sabran, daughter of Rainou, Count of Forcalquier of the House of Sabran and Gersend of Forcalquier, daughter of William IV of Forcalquier.[1] Garsenda was named after her mother, who was the heiress of William IV, but predeceased him. Garsenda therefore inherited Forcalquier from her grandfather. She was only thirteen years of age when, in 1193, her grandfather William IV and Alfonso II signed the Treaty of Aix whereby Garsenda would inherit William's county and would marry Alfonso, who was in line to become Count of Provence. The marriage took place at Aix-en-Provence in July 1193.

Their son was Ramon Berenguer IV as count of Provence.[2] Their daughter, Garsenda, married Guillermo II de Montcada, and bore him two children, including Gaston VII, Viscount of Béarn.

According to explanations in the manuscripts of Gaucelm Faidit's poems, Alfonso was a rival of the troubadour for the love of Jourdaine d'Embrun.[3]

Alfonso II died in Palermo, Sicily, while accompanying his sister Constance to her wedding with Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor,.[4]

References
  1. Sabaté 2017, p. 110.
  2. Aurell 1995, p. 403.
  3. Boutière & Schutz 1964, p. 187-191.
  4. Smith & Buffery 2003, p. 28.

Sources
  • Aurell, Martin (1995). Les noces du comte: mariage et pouvoir en Catalogne (785-1213) (in French). Publications de la Sorbonne.
  • Boutière, J.; Schutz, A.-H., eds. (1964). Biographies des troubadours. Nizet.
  • Sabaté, Flocel, ed. (2017). The Crown of Aragon: A Singular Mediterranean Empire. Brill.
  • Smith, Damian J.; Buffery, Helena, eds. (2003). The Book of Deeds of James I of Aragon. Ashgate Publishing.
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