Biography of Alfonso II King Aragon 1157-1196

Paternal Family Tree: Barcelona

Alfonso II and Sancha Ivrea Queen Consort Aragon were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Aragon. She the daughter of Alfonso VII King Castile VII King Leon and Richeza Unknown Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon. He the son of Raymond V Count Barcelona and Petronilla Jiménez Queen Aragon. They were half third cousin once removed.

In August 1150 [his father] Raymond V Count Barcelona (age 36) and [his mother] Petronilla Jiménez Queen Aragon (age 13) were married. She by marriage Countess Barcelona. The difference in their ages was 22 years. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Ramiro "Monk" II King Aragon (age 64) and [his grandmother] Agnes Poitiers Queen Consort Aragon (age 45). He the son of [his grandfather] Raymond III Count Barcelona and [his grandmother] Douce Gevaudan Countess Barcelona. They were fourth cousins.

On 25th March 1157 Alfonso II was born to [his father] Raymond V Count Barcelona (age 43) and [his mother] Petronilla Jiménez Queen Aragon (age 20) at Huesca.

On 16th August 1157 [his grandfather] Ramiro "Monk" II King Aragon (age 71) died. He had abdicted in fabour of his daughter [his mother] Petronilla Jiménez Queen Aragon (age 21) some twenty years before.

On 6th August 1162 [his father] Raymond V Count Barcelona (age 48) died. His son Alfonso (age 5) succeeded II Count Barcelona.

On 15th October 1173 [his mother] Petronilla Jiménez Queen Aragon (age 37) died.

In 1174 [his son] Alfonso Barcelona II Count Provence was born to Alfonso II (age 16) and Sancha Ivrea Queen Consort Aragon (age 19) at Barcelona [Map]. He married 1193 Gersenda II Sabran Countess Provence and had issue.

Abbot John Whethamstede’s Chronicle of the Abbey of St Albans

Abbot John Whethamstede's Register aka Chronicle of his second term at the Abbey of St Albans, 1451-1461, is a remarkable text that describes his first-hand experience of the beginning of the Wars of the Roses including the First and Second Battles of St Albans, 1455 and 1461, respectively, their cause, and their consequences, not least on the Abbey itself. His text also includes Loveday, Blore Heath, Northampton, the Act of Accord, Wakefield, and Towton, and ends with the Coronation of King Edward IV. In addition to the events of the Wars of the Roses, Abbot John, or his scribes who wrote the Chronicle, include details in the life of the Abbey such as charters, letters, land exchanges, visits by legates, and disputes, which provide a rich insight into the day-to-day life of the Abbey, and the challenges faced by its Abbot.

Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.

In July 1178 [his son] Peter II King Aragon was born to Alfonso II (age 21) and Sancha Ivrea Queen Consort Aragon (age 23). He married Marie Montpellier Queen Consort Aragon and had issue.

In 1179 [his daughter] Constance Barcelona was born to Alfonso II (age 21) and Sancha Ivrea Queen Consort Aragon (age 24). She married 15th August 1209 her third cousin once removed Frederick I King Jerusalem II Holy Roman Emperor and had issue.

In 1185 [his son] Alfonso Barcelona II Count Provence (age 11) was appointed II Count Provence by his father (age 27).

In 1193 [his son] Alfonso Barcelona II Count Provence (age 19) and [his daughter-in-law] Gersenda II Sabran Countess Provence (age 13) were married. She by marriage Countess Provence. He the son of Alfonso II King Aragon (age 35) and Sancha Ivrea Queen Consort Aragon (age 38).

On 25th April 1196 Alfonso II (age 39) died. His son Peter (age 17) succeeded II King Aragon.

On 18th July 1664 [his mother] Petronilla Jiménez Queen Aragon Abdicated. Her son Alfonso succeeded II King Aragon.

[his daughter] Sancha Barcelona Countess Toulouse was born to Alfonso II and Sancha Ivrea Queen Consort Aragon. She married March 1211 her third cousin Raymond Rouerge VII , son of Raymond Count of Toulouse and Joan Plantagenet Queen Consort Sicily, and had issue.

[his son] Ferdinand Barcelona was born to Alfonso II and Sancha Ivrea Queen Consort Aragon.

The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy

The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.

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[his daughter] Dulcia Barcelona was born to Alfonso II and Sancha Ivrea Queen Consort Aragon.

[his daughter] Eleanor Barcelona was born to Alfonso II and Sancha Ivrea Queen Consort Aragon.