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Biography of Urraca
Name: Urraca
Birth Date: c. 1078
Death Date: March 8, 1126
Place of Birth: Leon-Castilla
Nationality: Leon-Castillian
Gender: Female
Occupations: queen
Urraca
Queen Urraca (c. 1078--1126), who ruled the Kingdom of Leon-Castilla (also known as Castille-Leon) in northern Spain from 1109 to 1126, was the only woman during the Spanish medieval era to rule in her own right. The failure of her political marriage, which had been designed to unite the kingdoms of Leon-Castilla and Aragon, ultimately led to a civil war.BackgroundBetween 985 and 1002, the armies of the Muslim Caliphate of Cordoba repeatedly defeated the Christian armies of northern Spain. But with the death of the Muslim dictator's son and successor in 1008, the Cordoban caliphate began to collapse. With the fall of the caliphate, the dynasties of northern Spain began to rebuild themselves.But fighting ensued between the Spanish provinces of Leon, Castilla, and Navarra. The Navarrese king eventually took control of both Castilla and Leon---the largest of the northern Christian states---giving rise to a new kingdom under the rule of the king …showed first 150 words…
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…showed last 150 words…was chiefly agricultural, with a limited exchange of goods locally. Her government would have been expected to arbitrate disputes rather than establish social directions. A number of coins from Urraca's reign survive, some bearing her likeness.In the 12th century, the Church was involved at every level of political, social, economic, and religious dispute. The bishops of Leon-Castilla opposed Urraca's marriage with Alfonso I, supported her son, and organized military expeditions in defense of her kingdom against the Aragonese in the east and the Muslims in the south. Urraca was able to secure papal support to achieve her own purposes. She avoided excommunication in 1110--1111 over her marriage and persuaded the Church to bless her truce with Alfonso I in 1117. Further Reading Reilly, Bernard F., The Kingdom of Leon-Castilla under Queen Urraca, 1109--1126, Princeton University Press, 1982. "Urraca of Castile and Leon," http://www.goldenfrog.com/jeffman/genealogy/html/d0001/I4493.html (February 2003).
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