Henry I of Castile

Reign: 1214 – 1217
Life: 1204–1217

Henry was the only surviving son of Alfonso VIII of Castile and Eleanor of England. Because Henry was only ten at the time and his mother died within weeks, his older sister Berengaria took up rule as regent in his name. Discontented nobility forced her to give up rule and custody of Henry to Álvaro in early 1215. In an attempt to solidify his rule by procuring alliances with other Iberian rulers, Álvaro arranged for Henry to marry Mafalda of Portugal, but Berengaria intervened to have the marriage annulled; Álvaro then attempted to betroth Henry to Sancha of León in 1216, but the Leónese rejected the offer. When the hostilities between Berengaria and Álvaro erupted into an open war in April 1217, Álvaro took Henry with him on military campaigns; the young king's presence forced Berengaria and her supporters to yield.

During Henry I of Castile's reign, Afonso II of Portugal ruled Portugal, Minamoto no Sanetomo ruled Japan (Shogunate), and John, King of England ruled England.

Want to learn more? Further reading

A History of Medieval Spain by Joseph F. O'Callaghan

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The World During Their Reign

The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.

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From the library

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Hand-picked histories and biographies for readers who want more than the timeline: the same era, told in full.

A History of Medieval Spain

Joseph F. O'Callaghan

Henry I's brief reign amid the factional politics of early Castile.

Find this book on Amazon

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Henry I of Castile

The World During Their Reign

Meanwhile in history

Go deeper on Henry I of Castile

A History of Medieval Spain

Imperial Spain, 1469–1716

A History of Medieval Spain