Richard the Lionheart marries Berengaria of Navarre

Richard the Lionheart marries Berengaria of Navarre

Berengaria was the daughter of King Sancho VI of Navarre and Blanche of Castile.
Berengaria was chosen as wife to Richard by his mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine.
The marriage with Berengaria would bring a dowry that would help Richard finance his efforts in the Third Crusade.

Eleanor, though almost 70 years old, travelled over the Pyrenees to escort Berengaria to Sicily.
In Sicily, Eleanor’s daughter and Richard’s sister, Joan of England, embarked with Berengaria to join Richard in the Holy Land.
However, the ship carrying Joan and Berengaria was wrecked off the shore of Cyprus, and the ruler, Isaac Comnenus, took them prisoner.
Richard and part of his army landed in Cyprus to free them, and Isaac foolishly attacked.
Richard freed his bride and his sister, defeated and captured Comnenus, and took control of Cyprus.

Berengaria and Richard were married on 12th May 1191, and set off together to Acre in Palestine.
Berengaria left the Holy Land for France, and when Richard was on his way back to Europe in 1192, he was captured and then held prisoner in Germany until 1194, when his mother arranged for his ransom.

Berengaria never visited England during King Richard’s lifetime, and Richard spent less than six months in England while they were married.
Berengaria and Richard had no children.
Richard is widely believed to have been a homosexual, and though he had at least one illegitimate child, it is believed that the marriage with Berengaria was little more than a formality.
When he returned from captivity, their relationship was so bad that a priest went so far as to order Richard to reconcile with his wife.

After Richard’s death, Berengaria as a dowager queen retired to LeMans in Maine.
King John, Richard’s brother, seized much of her property and refused to repay her.
Berengaria lived in virtual poverty during John’s lifetime.
John’s son, Henry III, finally did pay much of the overdue debts.
She spent her time devoting herself to almsgiving, prayer and good works.

Berengaria died in 1230, soon after founding the Cistercian monastery, Pietas Dei at Espau.
Berengaria was buried in L’Epau Abbey, which she founded in 1229.
A skeleton thought to be hers was rediscovered in 1960 during the restoration of the abbey.
These remains are preserved beneath the stone effigy of the queen, which is now to be found in the chapter house of the abbey.

Richard Plantagenet ~ Richard the Lionheart and Berengaria of Navarre, Queen consort of England.