Berenguela

Berenguela of Castile was the granddaughter of Eleanor of Aquitaine and sister of Blanche of Castile. She was married to Alfonso IX in 1198, becoming the queen of Castile and León. They had five children, but the marriage was annulled by Pope Innocent III in 1204 because Berenguela and Alfonso were cousins. Berenguela spent the rest of her life maneuvering her children onto the throne of Castile in opposition to Alfonso’s daughters by a previous marriage. She succeeded and, from 1217 until her death, served as an advisor to her son Fernando, king of Castile and León.