Alfonso Alfonsez (Barcelona) de Provence (abt. 1174 - 1209)

Born about 1174 in Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Ancestors

Husband of Gersinde (Sabran) Aragon — married Jul 1193 in Aix-en-Provence, Bouches-du-Rhône, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France

Descendants

Died 1 Dec 1209 at about age 35 in Palermo, Sicily

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Biography

Alfonso II, Count of Provence was born c. 1174 in Barcelona, Spain & died 1 December 1209 in Palermo, Sicily, Italy. His father transferred the County of Provence from his uncle Sancho to him in 1185. Alfonso married in 1193 Gersenda II of Sabran, daughter of Rainou, Count of Forcalquier & Gersend of Forcalquier. In 1196, upon the death of his father, Alfonso inherited Provence & smaller territories under the feudal states of his brother Pedro. In April 1204 at Millau, Pedro, Alfonso of Provence, and Raymond VI signed a pact of mutual assistance in case of war. May of 1204 Alfonso’s brother Pedro mediates a dispute between Alfonso and William II of Forcalquier over rights in Forcalquie. Alfonso is captured in battle later in 1204, by William II of Forcalquier. Pedro ransoms his brother Alfonso in January 1205. In July of 1206 Pedro, aids his brother Alfonso in renewed hostilities with the count of Forcalquier, receives a loan from the consulate of Montpellier, pledging the castle of the same town. June 4, 1209 Pedro names his brother Alfonso in the Treaty of Mallen. In th year 1209 Alfonso leads a contingent of 500 Knights to aid Emperor Frederick in Sicily. (Alfonso was also accompanying his sister Constance to her wedding with Frederick II Hohenstaufen.) August 15 1209, Alfonso attends his sister Constance wedding to the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II. In Palermo disease strikes several of the knights including Alfonso. On Sept. 11, 1209 Alfonso write his will at the abbey of Monreale, Sicily & then dies.

Reign: 1185–1209 Predecessor: Sancho Successor: Ramon Berenguer IV Father: Alfonso of Aragon Mother: Sancha of Castile Spouse: Gersenda II of Sabran Children: 1. Ramon Berenguer IV 2. Garsenda of Provence, Viscountess of Béarn House House of Barcelona

Sources

• "The Mediterranean World of Alfonso II and Peter II of Aragon" (1162-1213) pages 36-39.
• "Rise of the Spanish Empire, V1, Merriman, 1918."
• "Innocent III and the Crown of Aragon, Smith, 2004."