Editing Berengaria of Castile (section)

==Queen consort of León==
In order to help secure peace between Castile and León and by becoming a mediator between her father and her husband,{{sfn|Bianchini|2012|p=38}} Berengaria married King [[Alfonso IX of León]], her first cousin once removed, in [[Valladolid]] in 1197.{{sfn|Shadis|2010|pp=61–66}} As part of the marriage, and in accordance with Spanish customs of the time, she received direct control over a number of castles and lands within León.{{sfn|Shadis|2010|pp=61–66}} Most of these were along the border with Castile, and the nobles who ran them in her name were allowed to seek justice from either king in the event of being wronged by the other.{{sfn|Shadis|2010|pp=61–66}} In turn, these knights were charged with maintaining the peace along the border in the queen's name.{{sfn|González|1960|loc=vol. 2, no. 681}}

Starting in 1198, [[Pope Innocent III]] objected to the marriage on the grounds of [[consanguinity]] and even threatened to excommunicate Alfonso, though the couple stayed together until 1204.{{sfn|Reilly|1993|p=133}}{{sfn|Bianchini|2012|p=69}} They vehemently sought a dispensation in order to stay together, including offering large sums of money.{{sfn|Howden|1964|loc=vol. 4|p=79}} The pope denied their request, but they succeeded in establishing the [[Legitimacy (family law)|legitimacy]] of their children.{{sfn|Shadis|2010|p=70}} The marriage was dissolved in 1204. Berengaria returned to her parents in Castile in May, where she dedicated herself to the care of her children.{{sfn|Shadis|2010|p=70}} The eldest of them, Eleanor (1198/99-1202), had died; Constance (1200–1242), [[Ferdinand III of Castile|Ferdinand]] (1201–1252), [[Alfonso of Molina|Alfonso]] (1203–1272), and [[Berengaria of León|Berengaria]] (1204–1237) survived infancy.{{fact|date=May 2021}}