Teresa of Portugal (1181-1250)

Teresa of Portugal (Coimbra, 1181 – Lorvão, June 18, 1250), also known as Tarasia of Portugal and later as Infanta-Rainha (Eng. Princess-Queen), was the oldest daughter of Sancho I of Portugal and wife of Alfonso IX of Castile.

Related Topics:
Coimbra - 1181 - Lorvão - June 18 - 1250 - Eng. - Sancho I of Portugal - Alfonso IX of Castile

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Teresa was the mother to three of Alfonso's children, but when her marriage to Alfonso was declared invalid because of a discovered familial link which proved them to be cousins, she returned to her familial home of Lorvão, Portugal. There, she founded a benedictine monastary. Soon after, she converted the monastary into a large Cistercian convent, replete with over 300 nuns.

Related Topics:
Portugal - Benedictine - Monastary - Cistercian - Convent - Nuns

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In 1230, Alfonso died after having several children with a second wife, Berenguela of Castile. This second marriage was also annulled because Berenguela was Alfonso's second cousin. With two invalid spouses, there was dispute among the children as to who would inherit the throne. Teresa stepped in and allowed Ferdinand III of Castile, Berenguela's first son, to take the throne of Leon.

Related Topics:
1230 - Berenguela of Castile - Ferdinand III of Castile - Leon

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After the succession battle, Teresa returned to Lorvao and finally took her convent vows after years of living as a nun. She died in the convent on June 18, 1250 of natural causes.

Related Topics:
June 18 - 1250

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On December 13 1705 Teresa was beatified by Pope Clement XI's papal bull Sollicitudo Pastoralis Offici, along with her sister Sancha of Portugal.

Related Topics:
December 13 - 1705 - Beatified - Pope Clement XI - Papal bull - Sancha of Portugal

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Teresa's Catholic feast day is June 17th.

Related Topics:
Catholic - Feast day - June 17th

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